Only believe!

    We may be familiar with the stories in the Bible of Jairus’ daughter and the woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5:21-43). One day, while Jesus was with a large crowd, Jairus, a synagogue ruler, came to Him and begged Him to come and lay His hands on his dying daughter so that she might be healed. On their way to his house, a woman who had suffered with a blood issue for twelve years touched his garment and was immediately healed. Although Jesus did not see her do it, He sensed it and when He inquired, she honestly told Him what she had done and why. Jesus comforted her and sent her home. 
    During this time, Jairus was waiting for his own miracle. Unfortunately, someone from his household came and told him: “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” (v.35) As soon as Jesus heard this He encouraged him and said: “Do not be afraid, only believe.” (v.36)
    Although I have read this story a number of times over the years that caught my attention. Jairus was told a fact - his daughter was dead. There was nothing more to do. At that point, he had failed in his efforts to save her life. There was no hope left, it made no sense, as his servant said, to trouble Jesus to come help her. But, here’s the thing - Jairus had indeed come to the right Person. He did not go to a human doctor who could do nothing more, he had gone to the Doctor who had the power to do all things! Jesus was not moved by negative words or the reality of the negative situation. Jesus knew the power in Him and He knew that through Him all impossible things were truly possible. Jesus could then confidently say: “Do not be afraid, only believe.”
    Something else comes to mind. The first thing Jesus said was, “Do not be afraid.” He addressed Jairus’ fear - the fear that it was over, the fear that nothing more could be done to save his loved one. Jesus needed to replace his fear with something more powerful - FAITH because faith would activate the miracle that was about to happen. I think that in the same way, God wants to address our fear, our fear that it’s over, that it doesn’t make sense trying again, our fear that nothing more can be done in our situation. I may not know what your situation is, but perchance Jesus is saying to you “only believe.” He doesn’t want you to do anything else but believe. Don’t try to figure it out, don’t wonder when or how it will happen, just believe. Let God do all of the complicated stuff. Let God do it HIS way because He has a purpose for it.
    This story also reminds me of the story of Lazarus (John 11:1-44). In that instance, Jesus intentionally delayed going to see him while he was sick. He waited a few days after hearing the news before going to his house. By that time Lazarus had died and had been in the grave for four days. God was interested in a greater miracle. Jesus had healed many sick people but He wanted to increase their faith by actually raising someone from the dead. In our story today, Jesus knew the importance, I am sure, of getting to Jairus’ house quickly but He chose to delay. He chose to take the time to address a woman’s faith and healing. During this delay, Jairus’ daughter died. In both stories of Lazarus and Jairus, Jesus was not worried because He knew that He could do impossible things. He also knew that the more impossible the situation the  greater people’s faith would be.
    But, I love the fact that Jesus immediately countered the negative statement from Jairus’ servant with a positive, life-giving one - "only believe." With those two words, He was offering hope in a hopeless situation. God wants to do the same for someone today. No matter how hopeless your situation may seem God is saying “only believe.” Don’t add fear to it, don’t add facts to it … just believe!
    If you have not accepted Jesus Christ into your life as your personal Lord and Saviour, I encourage you to do so now. Jesus came to offer hope in hopeless situations, strength when we need it and peace when it makes absolutely no sense. God has the final say and if He says it then that certainly settles it!

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