As Christians we are called to live a life of faith. When we have faith in Jesus Christ we are saying that we trust Him, that our life belongs to Him. That we may not know what lies ahead, but we know that He is there. As we journey through Mark’s Gospel we see many people responding in faith to Jesus and His works and words. This is what we do, we hear, we read, we follow Jesus. He amazes us by what we see in Him – his love, sacrifice, mercy, grace and hope.
Sunday’s gospel tells of a man named Jairus – a synagogue leader who was in a desperate situation – his daughter was dying. He asked Jesus to come and lay hands on her so she could get well and live.
This story turns on the short statement Jesus made in Mark, chapter 5:36: “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.” Believe when we feel helpless.
Living a life of faith can be challenging. Sometimes people who had faith, have given up. At times people will discourage our faith. Sometimes the difficulties of life will discourage our faith.
When we are afraid, He is not.
When we do not know the future, He does.
When we have no power, He is powerful.
When we aren’t sure, He is faithful.
We are not people of faith because we have such great wisdom, strength and power – but because He does! We believe because we know that Jesus can. There is nothing that is beyond his power. His resurrection proves that even death does not hold the ultimate keys of power any longer.
How often we feel defeated because of what we cannot do? We must learn to place our concerns, cares and grievances in the hands of Jesus. Jairus was a believer, a desperate man who regarded Jesus as the last hope for his sick daughter.
Sandwich into this story was an interruption – a women who had suffered for 12 years, crawled to Jesus through the crowd, because she believed it was her last hope to be healed.
When we want to give up, we should remember that we are here and God blesses us as we serve Him.
When you’re feeling helpless – believe Him!
When in doubt, believe Him because He Can!
When you’re feeling hopeless – believe Him beyond all others.
Whether you need God’s help for healing, hope, strength, freedom, finances, relationships, whatever it is you need most from God today, don’t lose faith when the battle takes a long time or seems too late.
Trust the One in whom we can place all of our faith with assurance. Trust the One in whom we can place all of our faith with assurance. Faith requires Belief.
