Don't Be Afraid. Just Believe

Mark 5: 35 - 36 (NIV)

35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?"

36 Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

Lately I have been drawn to verse 36. It gives us an incredibly vivid picture of how Jesus responds to the challenges in our lives. Jesus ignored the naysayers, but His attention was riveted on the object of His love -- Jairus (who represents you and I).

He looked at Jairus in the midst of the reports of doubt, unbelief and defeat and said "Don't be afraid; just believe."

Are you facing a challenge in your life today that seems dark and daunting? Listen to the Voice of the Lord today.

Don't be afraid; just believe.

It's very clear to me now where the Lord wants our attention in the midst of a challenge in our lives. He want us to be drawn to Him -- to His love, His provision and His deliverance.

Mark 5: 38 - 40 (NIV)

38 When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly.
39 He went in and said to them, "Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep."
40 But they laughed at him.

When Jesus reached the home of Jairus, He saw people wailing and crying. He saw the same evidence, but His response was vastly different. That's because He knew what He could do.

Are you responding in fear today? Or in despair? Or have you become cynical?

Don't be afraid; just believe.

Once again, He put out the naysayers from His midst and took in only Peter, James and John. Pastor Prince taught us here that the three disciple's names are of significance. Peter (stone, signifying the law), James (supplant), John (Love and grace).

Grace replaces the law!

Jesus then went in and spoke to the child.

Mark 5 : 41 - 42 (NIV)
41 He took her by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" (which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" ).
42 Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old).

In the Malachi 4:2a it says 'But to you who fear My name, The Sun of Righteousness shall arise, With healing in His wings.'

Here is an extract from http://www.hopeofisrael.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=30 that you will find immensely enlightening.

The Hem of His Garment
"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings," Malachi 4:2
One of the best known miracles of healing that Jesus performed was the occasion when a woman who had suffered from a hemorrhage for twelve years came up behind him and touched the hem of his garment, Matthew 9:20 The woman was, in fact, reaching for the tassels on Jesus' prayer shawl. In Hebrew, these tassels, which are attached to the corners of the prayer shawl, are called tzitzit. Why should she stoop to touch the fringe? Why not his arm, or his feet?

As the prayer shawl was placed over the head, it formed his own tent. WINGS of the garment were formed when the arms were held out. For this reason, the corners of the prayer shawl are often called "wings." During the first century there were several traditions associated with the tzitzit concerning Messiah. One was that these knotted fringes possessed healing powers. Certainly the woman with the issue of blood knew of these traditions, which would explain why she sought to touch the hem (the wings) of Jesus' prayer garment. The same word used in Numbers 15:38 for corner is used in Malachi 4:2 for wings. With this understanding in mind, an ancient Jew under the prayer shawl could be said to be dwelling in the secret place of the Most High and under His wings (Ps. 91:1-4).

Jesus spread his talit (the shawl) over the girl and pronounced literally in Aramaic, "little girl under the talit, arise". Pastor Prince taught us that the blue threads in the shawl signify Jesus perfection and His finished work on the cross. Indeed the Son of Righteousness came into that home today with healing in His wings!

Look away from your doubts and fears. Look away from your situation that seems dead and impossible. Look to one one who is able to bring life into every dead situation.

Don't be afraid; just believe.