Jairus was the ruler of a synagogue on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. When his daughter became deathly ill, he turned to Jesus who had just arrived from across the lake. He begged Jesus to come, and they headed toward Jairus’ house. But the crowds and an ill woman caused a catastrophic delay. The ruler’s daughter died.

The words Jesus spoke are for us just as much as for Jairus: “Do not be afraid; only believe” (Mark 5:36). When it comes to our children and to all the other issues of life, this is what Christ asks of us. Commentator William Lane wrote, “[Jairus] was now asked to believe that his child would live even as he stood in the presence of death. Such faith is radical trust in the ability of Jesus to confront a crisis situation with the power of God.”

Think of your area of greatest need today. Listen to Jesus telling you: “Do not be afraid; only believe.”

The resuscitation of Jairus’ daughter is both a deed of compassion and a pledge of the conquering power of Jesus over the combined forces of death and unbelief.
William Lane