Only Believe! Series

Only Believe

Mark 5:21-24, 35-43

Mark 5:21-24

21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake.

22 Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet

23 and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live."

24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him.

(NIV)

Mark 5:35-43

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."

37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James.

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. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was.

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). At this they were completely astonished.

43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

(NIV)

Mark 5:22-23

22 Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet

23 and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live."

(NIV)

A) Faith is RESOLUTE.

Jairus was firmly determined that Jesus would come and heal his only daughter.

No one KNOWS the future. Jairus was a man whose path had taken a sudden turn into a dark cave. He’s a LEADER of the synagogue. The synagogue was the center of religion, education, leadership, and social activity for the community. Jairus is a LEADER, a city official, a well-known citizen. Jairus had it all: Job security, tenure, pension plan, great family.

But the Jairus we see he is not the clear-sighted, well-groomed, civic leader, appearing in the town square for a photo op! His hair is a mess. His clothes are disheveled. His eyes are bloodshot and baggy. He’s been sucker-punched by his daughter’s illness. I’m sure he’s already had the best medical care that money could buy, but all to no avail. He’s blind with fear, grouping for help. The scripture says he “pleaded earnestly”; “over and over”, “repeatedly”. The word “earnest” means that his pleading is strained or stretched, not relaxing its grip. It is not a simple, “Jesus, please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” It is intentionally intent! “JESUS, MY DAUGHTER IS DYING!!! You must come with me now!!! Please come and touch her!!! Oh, what can I do to convince you to come? I know if you come and touch her, she will be healed. Please, Jesus, come and touch my little girl!”

Difference between FEAR and FAITH:

1) FEAR permits NEGOTIATION

Let’s make a deal

FAITH says NO to NEGOTIATION

2) FEAR permits EXCUSES

FAITH says NO to EXCUSES

There are times in life when everything you have to offer is NOTHING compared to what you are hoping to receive.

3) FEAR plays GAMES

FAITH says NO to GAMES

Faith requires pure honesty!

Mark 5:23

23 and pleaded earnestly with him, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live."

(NIV)

B) Jesus is always RESPONSIVE to our faith

Mark 5:35-36

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." (NIV)

How to Feed your Faith:

1) Pay no attention to the critics!

Ignore the ones who say it’s too late to start over!

Close your ears!

Turn a deaf ear toward those who say you’re not smart enough, fast enough, tall enough, big enough!

Faith sometimes begins by stuffing your ears with cotton!

2) Don’t be caught between what God says and what makes sense!