This topic of faith has come up several times this week. This morning was the real eye opener. I was reading Mark Chapter 5 when it came up. In the second part of the chapter a man named Jarius comes to Jesus because his daughter is sick. As was common, Jesus agrees to go to this man’s house and heal the little girl.
But something happens along the way. In this case, something good. A woman who needs healing reaches out and touches Jesus’ robe and is healed. Jesus feels it happen and stops to see who it was. He commends the woman for her faith and tells her that her suffering if over. Great story. I’ve heard and read it many times. But usually something gets lost in the story…
While he was still speaking to her,
messengers arrived from the home of Jairus,
the leader of the synagogue.
They told him, “Your daughter is dead.
There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”
Mark 5:35, NLT
Total downer! Jesus is in the middle of doing a good thing and they get the news that this man’s daughter (who Jesus was supposed to be healing) is dead. Now you and I can already imagine our reaction…can put ourselves in Jarius’ shoes for a minute. I gotta tell ya…I don’t think I’d have a very good reaction. And what do I expect Jesus to say? Some words of comfort maybe (that’s what we would say). Or maybe even the miraculous…something like, “No worries…I’ve got ya covered. She’ll be OK!” But that’s not what Jesus says. Here is his response:
But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus,
“Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”
Mark 5:36, NLT
He has just been told that his daughter is dead and what is Jesus’ response? “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.” Wow. Not what you’d expect (but Jesus rarely does the expected does He?). And that’s our message too. If Jarius is supposed to not be afraid and have faith in his situation, the worst imaginable, how about you and me? Of course, we know the answer…but doing it is far different than thinking about it. When tough times come, when bills are piling up, when our kids are acting like aliens, when life happens…Jesus’ response?
Don’t be afraid.
Just have faith.
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