"Don't be afraid; just believe." Mark 5:36
Are you concerned for someone?
There is a story told about Jesus raising a young girl from the dead. She is very sick, and her father goes to Jesus to ask Him to heal her. Before they arrive at the house, others come to tell the man his daughter has died. It's too late.
But not so fast. Jesus is already on His way to help, and all hope is not lost. "Don't be afraid," He tells the father. "Just believe."
Perhaps today you are concerned for someone. Physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually they are dying. You have asked Jesus for help on their behalf, and yet it seems all hope is lost. You asked too late, or Jesus didn't come soon enough. You are heartbroken. You are already grieving the loss. You are devastated.
Others say, "Don't bother Jesus any more. It's too late." And yet you hear Jesus whisper, "Ignore them. This isn't over yet. Don't be afraid; just believe."
What are your fears for this person? (Or, if you are the one who needs the healing touch of Jesus, what are your fears for yourself?) Fear in itself can be deadly. It robs us of hope, faith, joy, and peace. Fear is the result of unbelief. What are you not believing about God? Are you doubting His love? Are you doubting His presence? Are you doubting His power? Are you doubting His promise to work all things together for good?
This story in Mark 5 is followed by an account of Jesus going home to spend some time among His friends and relatives in Nazareth. It's not the homecoming He would like, however. He shares the Good News with them, and they are amazed by His teaching, but they don't buy it. In Mark 6:5 it says, He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
Contrast that with the young girls' parents. Despite her apparent death, their faith lives on. They trust Jesus to do the impossible, and He does it. "Little girl; I say to you, get up!" Immediately the girl stood up and walked around. At this they were completely astonished.
If someone you know is close to physical death or has already died, don't be afraid. They are safe with Jesus, and so are you. Life may not be the same without them, but it can still be good. Jesus never takes someone from us without a reason. Trust in His faithfulness and promise to be with you. And if physical healing is still possible, trust Him to do what is needed and what is best.
If someone you know is close to another kind of death (turning away from God, living a destructive lifestyle, a victim of another's behavior, etc.), don't be afraid. Don't lose heart. If you have asked Jesus to come and bring new life, all hope is not lost. The exact outcome may not be what you want, or may take longer than you prefer, or may be more than you dare to ask for, but no matter what, Jesus is over it. And you can trust Him to save the day. Don't be afraid; just believe.
This amazed everyone, and they all praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" Mark 2:12
Are you concerned for someone?
There is a story told about Jesus raising a young girl from the dead. She is very sick, and her father goes to Jesus to ask Him to heal her. Before they arrive at the house, others come to tell the man his daughter has died. It's too late.
But not so fast. Jesus is already on His way to help, and all hope is not lost. "Don't be afraid," He tells the father. "Just believe."
Perhaps today you are concerned for someone. Physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually they are dying. You have asked Jesus for help on their behalf, and yet it seems all hope is lost. You asked too late, or Jesus didn't come soon enough. You are heartbroken. You are already grieving the loss. You are devastated.
Others say, "Don't bother Jesus any more. It's too late." And yet you hear Jesus whisper, "Ignore them. This isn't over yet. Don't be afraid; just believe."
What are your fears for this person? (Or, if you are the one who needs the healing touch of Jesus, what are your fears for yourself?) Fear in itself can be deadly. It robs us of hope, faith, joy, and peace. Fear is the result of unbelief. What are you not believing about God? Are you doubting His love? Are you doubting His presence? Are you doubting His power? Are you doubting His promise to work all things together for good?
This story in Mark 5 is followed by an account of Jesus going home to spend some time among His friends and relatives in Nazareth. It's not the homecoming He would like, however. He shares the Good News with them, and they are amazed by His teaching, but they don't buy it. In Mark 6:5 it says, He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith.
Contrast that with the young girls' parents. Despite her apparent death, their faith lives on. They trust Jesus to do the impossible, and He does it. "Little girl; I say to you, get up!" Immediately the girl stood up and walked around. At this they were completely astonished.
If someone you know is close to physical death or has already died, don't be afraid. They are safe with Jesus, and so are you. Life may not be the same without them, but it can still be good. Jesus never takes someone from us without a reason. Trust in His faithfulness and promise to be with you. And if physical healing is still possible, trust Him to do what is needed and what is best.
If someone you know is close to another kind of death (turning away from God, living a destructive lifestyle, a victim of another's behavior, etc.), don't be afraid. Don't lose heart. If you have asked Jesus to come and bring new life, all hope is not lost. The exact outcome may not be what you want, or may take longer than you prefer, or may be more than you dare to ask for, but no matter what, Jesus is over it. And you can trust Him to save the day. Don't be afraid; just believe.
This amazed everyone, and they all praised God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" Mark 2:12
