Leviticus 12:1-8; Mark 5:35-43; Psalms 39:1-5; Proverbs 13:5-6
NT: “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.” He did not let anyone accompany him except Peter, James, and John, James’s brother. They came to the leader’s house, and he saw a commotion — people weeping and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him, but he put them all outside. He took the child’s father, mother, and those who were with him, and entered the place where the child was. Then he took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum” (which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, get up” ). Immediately the girl got up and began to walk. (She was twelve years old.) At this they were utterly astounded. Then he gave them strict orders that no one should know about this and told them to give her something to eat.” (Mark 5:35-43 CSB)
Jairus was a leader in the local synagogue – a respected man in the city. When Jesus arrived in town, he greeted Jesus and begged Him to help and heal his little girl that was dying. That was where Jesus was headed when He was thronged by the crowd and encountered the woman who touched His garment. Before they reached Jairus’s house, they received word that the little girl had died. Imagine the thoughts and emotions that began flooding Jairus’s mind at the sound of those words: sadness, despair, anger, resentment, regret. That word probably froze him in his tracks as his world started closing in on him. Jesus, in that moment, told Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.” Press through the stunning news and don’t run away from the faith that you have in Me… Keep believing, and keep moving with Me.” The reason Jesus went with Jairus in the first place was because He saw the Father healing the little girl. He knew what Jairus didn’t know… but Jairus could still hope and believe if he didn’t let the news shake him out of faith. Sometimes we get startling and scary words: your business has shut down, your husband is leaving you, your loved one is dying, you have cancer. Do we allow the news to knock us off our foundation, or do we, after the stunning punch to the face, focus our gaze on the One Who knows what we don’t know and will lead us to hope? Jairus remained in faith and followed Jesus to his home. When others laughed and ridiculed Jesus (and Jairus for having faith in Him), Jesus put them outside. Then in an atmosphere of faith and obedience, a miracle happened.
Jamie Hicks 