Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Mark 5:36)
A man named Jairus who was the elected ruler of the local synagogue sought out Jesus because his daughter was dying. He believed Jesus could heal her with a simply touch of His hand, and so he fell at his feet pleading earnestly with Him to come to his home to heal his daughter. But along the way, Jesus paused to heal a woman who had a bleeding condition for 12 years, and when men came from the house of Jairus, they reported that his daughter was dead. The hope Jairus had for Jesus to heal his daughter had now turned into hopelessness. Or did it?
When the men came telling Jairus not to bother Jesus anymore because his daughter had died, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” To be sure, the circumstances in the life of Jairus argued against all hope. His daughter was dead. There would be no healing for his sick daughter. It was now too late. Well, it was indeed too late for a healing because the girl had died. So, instead of a healing, Jesus provides a resurrection from the dead. Whatever Jairus was thinking after being told his daughter was dead, he still had hope that Jesus could work a miracle. He had hope in an utterly hopeless situation.
What Jesus said to Jairus then, “Don’t be afraid; just believe,” He is saying to us today. Whatever storm wind that is blowing in your life, look to Jesus and fear not, because the God of Hope is at work in your life. Nothing is impossible for God and because of God’s great love for you, hope must be our response regardless of what we are facing. Greater is the power that is at work within us than any power that comes up against us. Let that truth give you hope in any seemingly hopeless situation.
Remember, God brought water from a rock, bread from heaven, parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to walk across on dry ground, and raised Jairus’ daughter from death to life. What miracle do you need today in your life?
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 