Don’t be afraid; just believe …

Luke 8:40-56 (focusing on 49-56)

⁴⁰ Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. ⁴¹ Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house ⁴² because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. ⁴³ And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. ⁴⁴ She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

⁴⁵ “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”

⁴⁶ But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

⁴⁷ Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.⁴⁸ Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

⁴⁹ While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”

⁵⁰ Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”

⁵¹ When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. ⁵² Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”

⁵³ They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. ⁵⁴ But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” ⁵⁵ Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.⁵⁶ Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

I marvelled at one of God’s creations – the platypus – at Carnarvon Gorge during a recent camping trip.  This creature is truly one of God’s awesome creations!  Being so elusive, and rare to observe, it felt good to praise God for this wonderful creation.

‘Awesome’ is a word often used inappropriately these days.  I was at a checkout recently, paying in cash, and the cashier said “Thanks, that’s awesome!” when I gave her the correct change.  She really meant “That’s so convenient.” But awesome actually means to be full of awe and wonder, and so much more than simply convenient.  That’s just like God’s work – full of awe and wonder and so much more than simply convenient!

It was awesome that Jesus brought Jairus’s daughter to life when everyone thought there was no hope and she had died.  How comforting his words to Jairus must have been: “Don’t be afraid, just believe, and she will be healed.” Jesus, light of the world, from the beginning when all things were created, giving life back to a young girl: what an awesome moment for Jairus and his family!  And what an awesome thing for us all to reflect upon.  Jesus’ power destroys death, restores life and brings people home through faith in Him.

Head: Do you reflect on how awesome it is that Jesus gives us the hope of eternal life in Him?

Heart: Are there times when you see God as ‘convenient’ more than truly awesome?

Hands: What can you do to show others how awesome it is to have faith and hope in Jesus?

Prayer: Jesus, thank you for giving us hope when it seems everything is against us.  Thank you for being awesome in all aspects of our lives.  Help us to stay in awe of you and not become complacent about our lives.  Please work through us to help others believe in you and not be afraid of death.

A song to listen to: Gracious Redeemer

Ann Devlin- Creek Road Presbyterian Church- Carina