Read Matthew 9:18-19, 23-26; Luke 8:40-42, 49-56

Do Not Be Afraid; Only Believe

How heartbreaking for Jairus. His twelve-year-old daughter was on the brink of death. Desperate, this ruler of the synagogue sought out Jesus, who was healing many. He approached Jesus, and before he made his request known, Jairus “fell down at Jesus’ feet” (Luke 8:41); he “worshiped Him” (Matthew 9:18). How often do we come to the Lord and beg for a blessing without first preparing ourselves to worship Him? How often do we demand things of God, but never give Him the proper reverence He desires?

Jairus worshiped Jesus, and he told the Lord about his daughter who was dying. Jesus agreed to come to see the ill child, but He was delayed because “the multitudes thronged Him” (Luke 8:42), and He paused to heal the woman with the flow of blood (Luke 8:43-48). After that healing, someone from Jairus’ house came and said, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher” (Luke 8:49).

Can you imagine what went through the man’s mind at this point? Perhaps he blamed the woman who detained Jesus for her healing. Maybe he became angry with the multitudes that made it difficult for Jesus to move about freely. The Lord, however, put Jairus’ mind at ease, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.”

How often do we allow fear to hinder our faith? We claim to believe that God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20), but do we live that way? Do we truly believe that God provides His people with “a spirit…of power and of love and of a sound mind” or do we give in to that “spirit of fear” (2 Timothy 1:7)?

It is far past time for Christians to be bold in the faith, knowing that God can and will accomplish His will. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

Jairus’ little girl was raised from the dead by the power of Jesus. How much more can He do for you, if you believe and work toward the accomplishment of His will?