“Some men came from the house of Jairus… ‘Your daughter is dead,’ they said. ‘Why bother the teacher anymore?’ Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’”
Mark 5:35-36
In Mark both Jairus and the woman share a deep desperation that has driven them to the feet of Christ. Each has faith, but each holds it imperfectly. For the woman, faith mixes with superstition. She thinks Jesus’ clothes can heal her. Jairus believes, but he is afraid when he learns of his daughter’s death. It was faith that drove Jairus to fall at the feet of Jesus, but fear that threatens to drive him over the precipice of despair.
Despite their weak faith, Jesus pronounced a blessing of peace upon the woman and gave Jairus his daughter back from the dead. Peace and life are what Jesus offers to all who come to Him in faith. On this side of glory, faith is always faced with fear, threatened by doubt, mocked by the world, and tainted with self-interest.
What makes our imperfect faith work is Jesus. Jesus takes your superstitious faith and makes it personal by focusing it on Him. Jesus takes your weak faith and strengthens it through His Word. So you see, even your weakest faith receives the strongest Savior!
Despite their weak faith, Jesus pronounced a blessing of peace upon the woman and gave Jairus his daughter back from the dead. Peace and life are what Jesus offers to all who come to Him in faith. On this side of glory, faith is always faced with fear, threatened by doubt, mocked by the world, and tainted with self-interest.
What makes our imperfect faith work is Jesus. Jesus takes your superstitious faith and makes it personal by focusing it on Him. Jesus takes your weak faith and strengthens it through His Word. So you see, even your weakest faith receives the strongest Savior!
Scripture Focus
Mark 5:21-43
Insight
“When sins and fears prevailing rise,/ and fainting hope almost expires;/ Jesus, to Thee I lift my eyes,/ to Thee I breathe my soul’s desires.” (Anne Steele, 1760)
Bible In A Year
- Numbers 19-20
- Psalm 71
- John 12
