Word@Work 061 - Mark 5:35-36
Published: Wed, 02/13/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 5:35-36 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." (NIV)
What had Jesus been saying as the men came with bad news? Verse 34 is explicit: "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." (NIV) As these words were ringing into the crowd, Jairus was told: Your daughter is dead ... it's too late ... let Jesus off your case so He can help the helpable. "Daughter" - the same word was used, of both the healed woman and for the teenage corpse. One was a child in Jairus' household; the other had just become a child of God through faith in Jesus.
Now, the challenge to Jairus was, would he also believe in Jesus; despite the apparently hopeless situation. Jesus does not console the grieving father, nor offer helpful advice. Instead, He commands the man to turn his back on fear and simply believe. Although such a strong word may be at odds with our sentimental ways of dealing with death - Jesus was on a mission. He came to call people to trust Him with all their heart, and therefore He is right to command people to believe (cf Acts 17v30). It is the only way to eternal life.
Faith in Christ is never presented as one of many consumer options for the religious. It is a royal command - which is always met - either by obedience or disobedience. Those who resist the divine instruction to trust Jesus are not just misguided or independent-minded ... they are disobedient! They are not the wise free-thinkers of this age, but sad puppets dancing to a worldly and satanic tune (cf Eph. 2v1-2). Their only hope is Jesus, and yet He is the object of their disobedience. That is why the gospel in your hand and mouth has such urgency (cf Rom 1v5) - commanding people to believe in Jesus before it really is too late.
Prayer: King of Heaven, I thank you for giving me the grace to respond in obedience to Your call to believe in Jesus. Keep me obedient to my calling, as an agent of heaven, clearly to urge others to obey the gospel call. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
What had Jesus been saying as the men came with bad news? Verse 34 is explicit: "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." (NIV) As these words were ringing into the crowd, Jairus was told: Your daughter is dead ... it's too late ... let Jesus off your case so He can help the helpable. "Daughter" - the same word was used, of both the healed woman and for the teenage corpse. One was a child in Jairus' household; the other had just become a child of God through faith in Jesus.
Now, the challenge to Jairus was, would he also believe in Jesus; despite the apparently hopeless situation. Jesus does not console the grieving father, nor offer helpful advice. Instead, He commands the man to turn his back on fear and simply believe. Although such a strong word may be at odds with our sentimental ways of dealing with death - Jesus was on a mission. He came to call people to trust Him with all their heart, and therefore He is right to command people to believe (cf Acts 17v30). It is the only way to eternal life.
Faith in Christ is never presented as one of many consumer options for the religious. It is a royal command - which is always met - either by obedience or disobedience. Those who resist the divine instruction to trust Jesus are not just misguided or independent-minded ... they are disobedient! They are not the wise free-thinkers of this age, but sad puppets dancing to a worldly and satanic tune (cf Eph. 2v1-2). Their only hope is Jesus, and yet He is the object of their disobedience. That is why the gospel in your hand and mouth has such urgency (cf Rom 1v5) - commanding people to believe in Jesus before it really is too late.
Prayer: King of Heaven, I thank you for giving me the grace to respond in obedience to Your call to believe in Jesus. Keep me obedient to my calling, as an agent of heaven, clearly to urge others to obey the gospel call. For Jesus' sake. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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