Just Believe

DEVOTION

THE GOSPEL OF MARK

JUST BELIEVE

Mark 5:35-43

35 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?" 36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."  37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep."  40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

NIV

This is the completion of what started before the woman who had so much faith to be healed by just touching Jesus. When that happened he was on his way to the home of Jarius to heal his daughter. But now news has arrived she no longer needs healing because is died. When the situation could not be any worse Jesus tells Jarius “Don’t be afraid, just believe.” We know the story, we know Jesus raises the little girl from the dead, Just as he did with Lazarus, although this little girl had just died and was still in her bed. Even through Jesus raised this little girl from the dead it is not the most magnificent part of this narrative. We can find ourselves in a whole variety of situations in life, some of which may even very difficult. We might experience certain kinds of illnesses which cause great amounts of pain. We might have to go through certain emotional traumas which might scare deep within. We might have to face the loss of a job, or some treasured material possession, or financial setback of epic portion. Jarius was now facing one of these great emotional traumas in life, losing his precious little girl. This could be one of the most difficult experiences anyone could ever face. It is difficult enough for a child to have to bury a parent, but that is the course of life, but for a parent to have to bury a child is beyond the normal course of life and can be extremely painful. We will certainly someday even face death itself. But the words of Jesus ring out loud and clear, “Do not be afraid, just believe.” No matter how difficult the situation can be, do not be afraid, just believe.