Just Believe Indeed!

Mark 5:41-42

New International Version

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.

For Meditation

I have tried to imagine the posture of Jairus when Jesus told him to believe even though his daughter had died (Mk. 5:36). It reminds me of Martha with Jesus when her brother, Lazarus, died (Jn. 11:17-27, 38-39). She was disappointed and could not discern what Jesus said about Him being the Resurrection and the Life (Jn. 11:25-27). To her, all hope was gone. Not even when Jesus told her that if she believed, she would see the glory of God (40). She loved Jesus and knew He had the authority to heal, but to raise the dead? No! Yet, she went along with Jesus to the tomb.

When we lose a loved one, no word of consolation is enough to break through our sorrow to take away the pain. Our grief prevents us from hearing any positive encouragement.

So, Jairus might have nodded to Jesus (Mk. 5:36) and tried to hold on to his struggling faith. He may not have heard about Jesus raising anybody from death, so how could he fully believe? He trekked on with Jesus to his house, anyway.

Have you been in that situation before—when you knew in your heart that there was nothing left to hope for, yet you tried to keep the faith and maintain a hopeful face?

Mourners filled the house and caused a commotion. You can trust people for that. They may not care anyway, but they will come. Thank God Jesus sees through our hypocrisy and moves past it to bless us. They laughed at Jesus when He told them the girl was not dead but was just asleep, so He put them all out of the house (Mk. 5:40).

You do not have to entertain those who cannot support you in believing in God for a miracle. You must dispel their negative vibes from your life for the favor of God to flow to you.

Jesus entered the room, took the dead girl by the hand, and said,

“Little girl, I say to you, get up!”

At the sound of the voice of Jesus, every creation responds—even the dead.

The twelve-year-old girl immediately stood up and walked around. What a Man is Jesus? Why would Jairus and the rest not be astonished? If He is not God, who then is He?

He is the Jesus you have believed in and has saved you. He is the Resurrection and the Life. You will live even though you die (Jn. 11:25). He will resurrect you when He raptures His church to be with Him (1 Thess. 4:13-18).

In the meantime, trust in His power to keep you through every storm until He comes. His soothing words still heal the wounded soul, and He will heal yours, even when by His sovereign will, He doesn’t make things better than you expect. He still says to you:

“Don’t be afraid; just believe” (Mk. 5:36).

May these words of Christ touch you today where it hurts, and bring you comfort, amen.

Shalom.

Shalom and good morning.