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?” Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Mark 5: 35, 36, NIV.
Dear God, How grateful we are, that “all things are possible if [we] can only believe.” “Lord, we believe; [Please] help our unbelief.” In the wonderful name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
Our text for today begins in a rather interesting manner, one conversation is interrupting another! The words of the men from Jairus’ house have interrupted the words of the Master. Our words are very powerful! Listen to what the wise man has to say regarding our speech: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18: 21a)! Jesus was speaking life, and healing, and freedom, to the woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years, “He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Suddenly, words of death, and sorrow, and defeat, interrupts the conversation, “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?” This is obviously a power struggle between the forces of Good and Evil!
Jesus must act quickly, and He does! “Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” It is not like Jesus to ignore anyone, not even the lawyers and scribes and Pharisees who are constantly setting traps for Him! But life and death are in the balance, and there is no time to lose! This is a perfect example for us to follow in “picking our battles.” The antidote of faith must begin to do its work right away, to undo the work of doubt, introduced by the evil one. Notice the following words of Scripture: “He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James” (37). There is a war raging, and only those who have, “Put on the full armor of God” (Ephesians 6: 11a), will be able to “take [their] stand against the devil’s schemes” (11b).
The enemy has lost the first round in this fight, but he is not going to give up so easily. He runs ahead of the Savior, to Jairus’ house: “When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, ‘ “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” ‘ But they laughed at him” (Mark 5: 38-40a). Notice the power that Jesus is employing, He is using the power of the spoken word! In the beginning God spoke our entire world into being! We have been made in the image and likeness of God. There is power in speaking what we want to see come to pass! And Jesus, with the power of His Word, speaks life, in the presence of death, and banishes it! Our words do not only work on others, they begin their work on us! As we declare what we want to see happen, our words work on our faith, and miracles begin to take place!
The Bible informs us, “But they laughed at him.” Jesus will again do what He has to do, “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” (40b). The first time I heard this interpretation of this portion of Scripture, it was by a sister, who was explaining a part of our Sabbath School lesson. She said something to this effect, “Be careful when they have to put you out of the room, in order to perform a miracle!” That left a lasting impression upon my mind! Now that Jesus has cleared the room of the scoffers, He speaks words of life, “He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” ). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished” (41, 42). Faith had triumphed over doubt!
Dear friend, I do not know what you are going through. I do not know what you have been asking God for, or for how long. One thing I do know, and that is, God still speaks! And a “no” cannot, will not, prevail over your situation, when God says “yes,” to your request!