Leaving the bedside of his dying child, Jairus, the synagogue ruler, came seeking the only hope he had for her recovery: Jesus. Jairus was desperate. He loved his 12-year-old daughter so much he still endearingly described her as his “little girl.” En route to Jairus’ home, a servant came with word that his daughter had already died. While Jairus was in sudden shock at the news, Jesus ignored what they said and told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe” (5:36).


You can recall laughing at something that
sounded foolish, can’t you? Perhaps it was when you heard a politician make promises you knew would not be kept. The speaker – though a successful and capable person – sounded foolish, right? Jesus was a fool to the crowd at Jairus’ house. And His simple but powerful Gospel message is still considered foolish to the world today. People hear of a dead man who came back to life to save the world, and they laugh. Yet, with God all things are possible. Even a Carpenter can die for the sins of the
world. Believe!