While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher any more?” Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5:35–36 (NIV)
Jairus must have been on an emotional roller coaster. Relief flooded his heart when Jesus agreed to go to his house and heal his dying daughter. But then Jesus stopped to have a conversation with a woman in the crowd. Jairus was forced to wait, knowing that each minute’s delay put his little girl in greater danger. Then, just as Jesus finished his business with the woman, messengers brought the news Jairus dreaded to hear. His daughter had died.
I can only imagine how the devoted father’s heart clenched in his chest when he saw the men approaching. Did he have time to think, Too late! It was all for nothing? Jesus turned to Jairus as though He hadn’t heard what the men said. “Don’t be afraid. Just believe.” Soon, Jairus saw his longing fulfilled. He got his daughter back.
It’s exciting to read the gospel accounts of Jesus restoring life to people who had died. But today He still works as the Life-giver in the lives of believers. He raises dead hopes, resurrects old dreams, and brings life to relationships that seem to have died. He wants to breathe new life into us in all sorts of ways. But He wants us to understand that miracles are tied to faith.
Our circumstances may seem hopeless. Other people may tell us that it’s no use. That person will never come to faith. That relationship will never work. You’ll never pull it off. “Why bother the Teacher anymore?”
Jesus says otherwise. He asks us to ignore what seems obvious and to trust Him to work in our life. Against all odds, He asks us to just believe.
Faith step: Do you have a situation in your life that makes you feel all hope is lost? Ask Jesus to give you the courage to “just believe.”
