Don't Be Afraid, Just Believe | Mark 5
Welcome to Real Life. Hope. It’s priceless. Without it, I feel lost, helpless, and defeated. I've been there—hopeless. Where do I find the strength to go on when hope is gone?
Jairus, a synagogue ruler, falls at Jesus’ feet and pleads, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live.”
Jesus agrees to accompany Jairus to his house. A throng follows, pressing in and jostling them as they go. Hidden within the crowd is a woman. She’s suffered twelve years from a bleeding disorder. She’s exhausted her savings on physicians. Nothing has helped. Hope is gone … until she hears of Jesus’ miracles. “If I can just touch his clothes, I’ll be healed.” She pushes through the crowd and touches him.
Immediately, she feels it. The bleeding has stopped. She is whole again.
Abruptly, Jesus halts the entourage, asking, “Who touched me?”
His disciples are incredulous. “We’re in a crowd. Everyone’s touching you.” Yet, Jesus keeps scanning faces.
Trembling with fear, the woman comes forward and reveals herself. But, Jesus is not angry. His words bless and affirm, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
In the midst of her joy, messengers arrive with dreadful news for Jairus, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the teacher anymore?” In an instant, Jairus’s hope is gone, swallowed up in grief.
Jesus ignores the messengers. He tells Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Keep hoping, man. Not even death is the end with God.) At the house, Jesus grasps the lifeless daughter’s hand and says, “Little girl, get up!” Instantly, she arises and walks.
Discouragement continually fights for a seat at my table: You’ll never be a real writer. You have nothing to say. You’ll never be free of health problems. You’ll never have enough funds for the things you need. You’ll never overcome that stubborn sin. You’ll never …
When I pour out my problems to Jesus, he tells me, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
I don’t have the strength, wisdom, and resources to overcome all the problems that gang up to defeat me. But, I know the One who does. In his presence, by his touch, troubles disappear. Hope is restored! Nothing is impossible.
Taking it further …
The Christian life is not a constant high. I have my moments of deep discouragement. I have to go to God in prayer with tears in my eyes, and say, 'O God, forgive me,' or 'Help me.'
–Billy Graham
Jairus, a synagogue ruler, falls at Jesus’ feet and pleads, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live.”
Jesus agrees to accompany Jairus to his house. A throng follows, pressing in and jostling them as they go. Hidden within the crowd is a woman. She’s suffered twelve years from a bleeding disorder. She’s exhausted her savings on physicians. Nothing has helped. Hope is gone … until she hears of Jesus’ miracles. “If I can just touch his clothes, I’ll be healed.” She pushes through the crowd and touches him.
Immediately, she feels it. The bleeding has stopped. She is whole again.
Abruptly, Jesus halts the entourage, asking, “Who touched me?”
His disciples are incredulous. “We’re in a crowd. Everyone’s touching you.” Yet, Jesus keeps scanning faces.
Trembling with fear, the woman comes forward and reveals herself. But, Jesus is not angry. His words bless and affirm, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
In the midst of her joy, messengers arrive with dreadful news for Jairus, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the teacher anymore?” In an instant, Jairus’s hope is gone, swallowed up in grief.
Jesus ignores the messengers. He tells Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Keep hoping, man. Not even death is the end with God.) At the house, Jesus grasps the lifeless daughter’s hand and says, “Little girl, get up!” Instantly, she arises and walks.
One ordinary day—two hopeless situations—transformed by a simple touch.
Discouragement continually fights for a seat at my table: You’ll never be a real writer. You have nothing to say. You’ll never be free of health problems. You’ll never have enough funds for the things you need. You’ll never overcome that stubborn sin. You’ll never …
When I pour out my problems to Jesus, he tells me, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
I don’t have the strength, wisdom, and resources to overcome all the problems that gang up to defeat me. But, I know the One who does. In his presence, by his touch, troubles disappear. Hope is restored! Nothing is impossible.
“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
Taking it further …
- “Resurrection” by Nicole Sponberg
- Another perspective on the woman with the bleeding disorder in “Who Touched Me?”
- Need hope? Tune in to Moody Radio Cleveland 103.3 FM or listen online at www.moodyradiocleveland.fm.
Here I am at the end I'm in need of resurrection
Only You can take this empty shell and raise it from the dead
What I've lost to the world what seems far beyond redemption
You can take the pieces in Your hand and make me whole again
Hello My Dear Friend,
ReplyDeleteThank you for this very encouraging word. Since April of this year, I have been struggling and fighting obstacles that have been coming up against me. Like Jairus, I am learning to walk in faith. To know that, my strength comes from the word of God, and to realize that that strength is sometime earned through a fierce battle of standing still, waiting, and believing. Trusting God, in my opinion is always learned by going through the fire. Here is where you and I learn that God never breaks His word. What he says he does.
Once again, thank you for this encouraging word. I needed to hear this today.
Shalom,
Patricia
Dear Patricia,
DeleteThank you, I needed to hear your comment today! :) I agree. Trusting God is learned through the fire. I get weary of the struggle and need to rest, trust, believe. He will do it! Amen.
Love you, Friend! Peggi