Episode 184: Don’t Be Afraid. Only Believe.
While He was still speaking, people came from the synagogue leader’s house and said, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the teacher anymore?” When Jesus overheard what was said, he told the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.” (Mark 5:35,36)
Jairus, the synagogue leader, had come to Jesus in hopes that He would come to his home and heal his daughter. Jesus was surrounded by a crowd so getting through them was going to cause a delay. While fighting through the crowds to get to Jairus’ daughter, Jesus was stopped by the woman with the issue of blood. Yet another delay! Jairus must have been getting frustrated by now. He needed Jesus immediately but other people were delaying Jesus from attending to what Jairus needed and had asked for in faith. Now, he hears news from his home that his daughter has died.
This news was most likely devastating and surely tested his faith. After all, in this moment, it looked as though all was lost. If only the crowd would have let them through, if only the woman had not delayed Jesus. Maybe then Jairus would still have his daughter. The noise from the crowd and the news from his home had to be overwhelming. His mind was surely racing with confusion and grief.
Amidst the noise and confusion, Jesus tells Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.” The way that Jesus says this to Jairus is a command for present, continuous action, urging Jairus to maintain the faith that brought him to Jesus in the first place. Jesus was still encouraging Jairus in this moment. Essentially telling him, that this was not the end of the story. There was a storm brewing in Jairus. Just like He did with the wind and the waves on the boat with the Disciples, Jesus speaks to the storm consuming Jairus. As we read on, we see Jesus continue with Jairus to his home and daughter. Though the situation seemed hopeless, Jesus was on the way.
Jairus’ daughter would be healed. We will get to that in another post. Today I want us to focus on the command Jesus gave Jairus when all seemed lost. Don’t be afraid. Only believe. When the noise and the news becomes overwhelming, when the prayer hasn’t been answered yet, when the blessing seems delayed, when even friends and family are telling you to leave Jesus alone, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.” Jesus sees you through the noise. He knows the storm building in your mind and He has not forsaken you.
Let us be a people of present, continuous action. Let the faith that brought us to Jesus in the first place be fueled by the Words of Jesus not quieted by the noise of the crowd. Don’t be afraid. Only believe.”
Love Y’all! be Blessed!
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