WHEN FEAR COMES KNOCKING
WHEN FEAR KNOCKS AT YOUR DOOR
MARK 5:22-23; 35-36 NKJV
22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.”
35 While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”
36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”
This is an amazing story of Jesus raising a little girl from the dead. It is also a great lesson on how to respond to fear.
Jairus was a ruler of the local synagogue who came to Jesus regarding his very sick little girl. She was actually 12 years old, but to a father they are always your little girl.
Jairus came and treated Jesus with honor and with faith. In verses 22-23, Jairus came to Jesus and fell at His feet. For a religious leader to humble himself in that manner was big. Even though Jairus was a leader, who may have been accustomed to people catering to him, he approached Jesus and treated Him as the one who was greater.
And Jairus had faith in Jesus. He acknowledged his daughter was at the very brink of death. But concluded that if Jesus would come lay His hand on her, she would be healed and live. Again, this is big for a Jewish leader. Jesus constantly faced opposition from rulers of synagogues who hated Him.
When news came to Jairus that his daughter had died, Jesus immediately responded. "Do not be afraid; only believe." At first blush this command appears to be unfair.
But Jesus was not unfair. He instructed Jairus as to what to do in the face of horrific news. News that would strike fear.
Don't give in to fear. Only believe. Believe what? What Jairus had said initially. Come lay your hand on her, and she will live.
We can only imagine what was going on with Jairus in terms of his thoughts and emotions. But we know he never left Jesus' side. And when Jesus removed all the friends and mourners, Jairus agreed. And when Jesus raised Jairus' daughter from the dead, Jairus was overcome with amazement, relief and joy.
APPLICATION:
When fear knocks at our door, we need to have an answer. Our answer is believing Jesus and believing God's word.
Our faith can be greater than our fears. We stay with Jesus and what we believe He has said to us. And we believe that He has not changed and can help us today. We have an answer for the fears of life.
When fear comes knocking, don't run. Answer fear with your faith in God.
PRAYER:
Lord, I believe in You. I believe Your words to me. I choose not to fear but to believe