justbelieve

Mark 5:33-36

³³Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. ³⁴He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

 ³⁵While 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?"

 ³⁶Ignoring what [lit. ‘hearing the word that] they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

Jairus – important man. But vulnerable...became desperate at the prospect of losing his daughter. So desperate that he was willing to go to Jesus. But what happens? A woman came along and reached out to Jesus, and got healed. Great! ...? Jairus might have been genuinely glad for her healing, but his thoughts would have been on his daughter. Would they be too late? As Jesus was finishing with his ministry to the woman, some men came up and answered that question. It was too late. Or was it? Jesus didn’t think so. ‘Don’t be afraid, Jairus. Just believe!’

Don’t be afraid?

I would have been beside myself! Grief, mixed with utter frustration and anger. Why, O why did we have to get held up by that...that wretched woman?!? As Synagogue ruler, surely his needs were more important?!

 Don’t be afraid. Afraid of what? Afraid of missing out. It’s a strong motivator for humans...

No one wants to miss out.

Human resources, earthly resources are limited....

But God isn’t limited.

Jesus was able to help this woman and he would go on to restore Jairus’ daughter to life.

Don’t be afraid. Don’t be afraid that you will miss out of God’s care  and attention.

Just believe.

Believe what?

Believe that Jesus cares.

Remember that was the question the disciples put to Jesus in the boat, in the storny sea, ‘Master, don’t you care that we drown?!’

His reply was to still the storm, then put his own question to them: ‘Where’s your faith?’

His question implied that they had nothing to fear, and they could have trusted Him.

Because he not only cares, but he is very powerful. ‘Nothing is too difficult’ for the Lord.

Jairus had a choice: who would he listen to? The men who said ‘it’s no use. Give up’ or to Jesus, who said ‘don’t be afraid, just believe.’

Who will you listen to?