“While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Overhearing[c] what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5.35-36
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11.1
For some, reading this account two thousand years later and putting faith in Jesus is a no brainer. This story is not our only interaction with Jesus. We have history, context, other gospel accounts, and miracles galore to support his wonder working power. Yet for those sick and needing help in this story, it makes their faith all the more special because they took Jesus at his word without a mound of evidence to support his work.
This is Jesus’ miracle within a miracle. He healed the bleeding woman and now he was about to raise the sick daughter from her death bed. Delayed by the first miracle, those who were at the house with the sick daughter came and said, “your daughter is dead….why bother the teacher anymore?” At this point, all could have given up. They could have gone home, counted their loses, mourned the daughter who once was. But as we know, Jesus wasn’t done for the day. He heard what they said and replied, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.”
Umm…ok Jesus. Whatever you say! But no one had ever been raised from the dead by Jesus. Lazarus had not yet been healed and the son from the widow from Nain had not yet been restored. This would be the first of three people who Jesus raised from the dead (not including himself.) So it’s not like there was a precedent for it. And yet, the synagogue leader and his wife (v.40), believed as they followed Jesus to their house and saw the miracle take place before their eyes.
Perhaps God is moving in your life, asking you to “just believe” and yet we struggle with doubt. It’s a natural, human response, but it doesn’t give God the opportunity to work. Faith comes from down deep and is a gift from God. As Hebrews says, “it is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”
Having faith in God is a conscious decision. It is a choice to believe in the one who first believed in us.
For what are you seeking to believe? Why do you doubt? As Jesus said, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.”
“O Lord God, there are so many things in my life in which I try to accomplish on my own – every work and ministry opportunity, every family decision, every personal work of faith, all relationships. But you are the keeper and the King of Faith. You have given us the ability to trust, to hope and to believe. You do not want me to doubt or stumble in my obedience. Help me Father to believe! Help me to trust you in every aspect of my life. Regardless of the circumstances, you are good and faithful. Come now, Holy Spirit, guide me and direct me in all righteousness. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen