Believe For It!

Mark 5:36- “As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” NKJV

The woman with the issue of blood had managed to touch His garment, and she was whole. Jesus, knowing that power had left Him wanted to know who had touched Him. She confessed with fear and trembling, but Jesus wasn’t upset with her, He just wanted to know what had caused the unexpected flow of power. While He was telling her to go in peace, for her faith had made her whole, Jairus had visitors.

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?”

Mark 5:35 NKJV

Hearing this news had to be devastating for Jairus! He was so close to getting a miracle of healing from Jesus. He had found Jesus and they were headed to his to home. If only they had not been stopped by this woman! If only they had moved quicker! If only he had found Jesus earlier! The if onlys were rushing through his mind, his heart and his spirit!

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” 

Mark 5:36 NKJV

I’m sure Jesus read Jairus’ body language. Maybe he looked defeated, or his eyes were filling with tears. We don’t know! But we do know that before Jairus could speak a word, Jesus stopped him by saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe!”

Is it possible that when Jairus asked Jesus to come to his home that he didn’t believe? Or maybe he believed that Jesus could heal his daughter, but raising her from the dead? Maybe that was stretching him!

My daughter was a young girl when she asked me if I had ever noticed that the woman suffered for 12 years, and Jairus’ daughter was 12 years old? Actually, I hadn’t! I wondered if there was a spiritual connection since Mark mentions the 12 years in both situations.

Twelve has a lot of biblical meaning. It represents the 12 tribes of Israel. It symbolizes God’s power and authority; the authority and perfection of God’s kingdom. Since it is mentioned twice in this chapter, I think it had a significance. Jesus was all about the kingdom and it could be that these two events were about establishing or promoting the kingdom in a greater way. I’m certain they held significance on some level.

And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.  When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.”

Mark 5:37-39 NKJV

This is a good place to share about ministering healing to the sick. Let’s look at what Jesus did:

• He only took Peter, James and John with Him. He wouldn’t allow the crowd to follow. When you pray for the sick, take people who will encourage faith and not fill you with fear and doubt.
• He questioned the mourners being there, because He said the child was not dead but sleeping. If you go to pray for a miracle, don’t let the noise distract you and cause you feel the hopelessness of the situation. In reality, if it wasn’t hopeless to man, then why would you need a miracle. You already know it’s going to take a miracle, so don’t get into conversation that can pull you out of faith.

And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. 

Mark 5:40-42 NKJV

• Too many people in the room, or house, can give the devil too many ways to distract you. Jesus put them out of the house. Notice that Jairus and his wife did not argue with Him. Make sure the person who asked for prayer is in agreement with your requests. Friction is tough on faith!
• The girl was immediately raised from the dead! Sometimes the miracle will be immediately, and sometimes it will not. I don’t know why that is so, but I just continue to trust Him when I pray, leaving timing to Him. However, I have learned that persistence in prayer brings manifestations! When I pray for someone in great pain, I persist until things changes. Usually until they are pain free!
• Obey the Spirit of God! Jesus knew what God was leading Him to do. It is important to be led by His Spirit. I have never been led by Him and not seen Him move. Sometimes I just step out and sometimes I see people healed. But when I am following His leading, I am pretty sure that things are going to change!

Jairus chose to believe the word that Jesus spoke him, “Only believe!” What He saw Jesus do for his daughter was greater than a healing, it was a resurrection. His daughter was restored to him and his family. He was ecstatic! We are still talking about it today!

What a powerful demonstration of the kingdom of God in Mark 5. First, a demoniac is set free! He had terrorized his community for years, but Jesus set him free and gave him a new lease on life. Then the woman with the issue of blood was healed. Twelve long years of being ostracized from society, from attending the synagogue, from living life, and after her encounter with Jesus, she was made whole. And it closes with Jairus’ daughter being raised from the dead! Look at Jesus! Look at God!

Power over demons! Power over sickness and disease! Power over death! That’s the gospel of the kingdom! Many pastors and church leaders are afraid to teach that Jesus is still demonstrating power in this manner. They are fearful of telling people that they can be healed and then they are not.

But if that’s the logic we use, then why go to the doctor? Some people are helped, and some are not. Some walk away healed, and others die. Some get better, some get worst. And yet, we continue to encourage people to go to the doctor.

Jesus has a much better track record, and you can believe it! The problem isn’t with Him, but in what we believe about Him. We can see miracles! I believe that we must see miracles. People are tired of religions that stress what they need to do for God. It is up to us to show them that our God isn’t like other gods! He didn’t die on the cross to see what we could do for Him. He died on the cross to demonstrate what He can do for us!

We can easily quote Hebrews 13:8:

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever

NKJV

and still not believe in the miracle working power of God being available to us today! Beloved! Jesus’ words are true even today “according to your faith be it unto you”! What do you believe? That you will receive! Believe for miracles today! He’s still working them on our behalf! Wonderful Jesus!