Bible Reading: Mark 5:22-24, 35-36, 38, 40-42
One of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live." So Jesus went with him.
While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher anymore?" Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, "Don't be afraid; just believe."
When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.
A Reflection
During half term our daughter and son-in-law took the family to Thomas Land at Drayton Manor Park. They had a fantastic day out, and we were amazed to see photos of Melody, not yet five, a tiny dot sat alone at the back of ‘Bertie the Bus’ as it span around on a large cantilever, seemingly an adrenaline junkie in the making. However Zachary, at three, was having none of it, or of many of the other rides at the park, unless mum or dad was with him.
Three-year olds have an excuse, but fear can be very debilitating. Fear can prevent you from doing something you are otherwise quite capable of doing, it can cause anxiety, it can make you physically sick.
Sometimes our fears can be over something rational, as in Jairus’s case with a daughter who was dying, while at other times the fear can be real, but quite irrational, as is the case with many of the phobias that people have.
Jairus came to Jesus with an obvious need that was outside his control, the health of his daughter. Jesus, however, discerned in Jairus an underlying fear, and Jesus’ first response was to minister to that fear,"Don't be afraid; just believe" he says. Believing in Jesus was the response of faith that overcame Jairus’ fear and paved the way for the healing of his daughter.
Jesus then accompanied Jairus to his home and healed his daughter. In the same way he accompanies each of us when we call out to him with a particular need. Just as Zachary overcame his fears at Thomas Land if his mother or father was with him, so too we can overcome our fears in the knowledge that Jesus is with us in whatever situation we face.
Jesus doesn’t want us to live in fear, but rather to live in the faith that he is with us, and that he will work things out for us according to his great love and compassion.
Pray:
Lord Jesus, I bring to you the things that cause me to fear…
Give me the faith to trust you to work things out for my blessing and for your glory.
Amen
Praise is rising