TITLE: DON’T BE FEARFUL, BELIEVE
TITLE: DON’T BE FEARFUL, BELIEVE
SCRIPTURE:
40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” 47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” 49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.” 50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” 51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.” (Luke 8:40—56 NIV)
OBSERVATION:
All lives matters to Christ. All situations and seen by Christ. The synagogue leader’s 12 year old matters to Jesus. A woman with a blood issue has been suffering for 12 years also matters to Christ. She too was desperate for In a moment of desperation, Jairus, the leader of the synagogue, earnestly pleaded with Jesus for the life of his beloved daughter, drawing the attention of the crowd gathered around him. numbers. Jesus was almost crushed.
Despite the bustling crowd, the woman who had suffered from bleeding for 12 long years reached out with quiet hope and touched the edge of His cloak. In that moment, her bleeding stopped. Jesus turned and asked, “Who touched me?” When everyone denied it, Peter spoke up, saying, “Master, the crowd is pressing in on you from all sides.” Yet, Jesus insisted, “Someone touched me; I felt the power go out from me.”
What I’ve learned about Jesus is that He truly hears, sees, feels, and responds to our prayers. It’s comforting to know that Jesus always answers in His own perfect timing. No matter how urgent a need may feel to me, it won’t rush Him. Jesus is in complete control of every situation in my life, and that gives me peace.
Even though Jarius approached Jesus first and the woman with the issue of blood came afterward, Jesus always responds to each situation in His special way and timing. He has His own purpose and reasons for why one person, who arrives later, might receive an answer while the one who came first has to wait. This reminds us that Jesus moves at His own pace.
When Jarius received the heartbreaking news of his daughter’s passing, it must have felt like his heart was shattered into countless pieces. It’s easy to picture the hopelessness he may have felt in the presence of the One he believed could help him. However, this story reveals something truly inspiring as I journey alongside Christ this year. You know, Jesus often keeps His plans close to His heart, and that’s part of what makes His timing so special. While some prayers are answered instantly, others might take a little longer, and they may not always turn out the way we imagine. Today, I find comfort in remembering that it’s less about my wishes and more about Jesus’ wonderful will and purpose for my life. I can only imagine how Jarius felt when he saw the woman who had been suffering for twelve long years receive her miracle first, especially after facing the heartbreak of losing his daughter. That woman likely shared many of the same fears as Jarius. Yet, regardless of whether we experience life or death, we can trust that Jesus’ purpose will shine through in every situation.
Jesus encouraged Jarius, saying, “Don’t be afraid, just believe, and she will be healed.” To the woman with the issue of blood, He lovingly said, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” This year, my focus isn’t so much on how God will respond to my situation. Instead, I find myself asking, do I truly believe? Do I have the faith I need in Christ? Having faith in Christ doesn’t guarantee that He will answer my prayers exactly as I wish or meet my expectations. It’s about trusting Him, no matter the outcome, and knowing that everything will be okay. Jesus understands what’s happening in my life even better than I do. I need to trust Him and have a faith that isn’t based on the answers I desire, but on His will and purpose for my journey.
APPLICATION:
I choose to trust in God, whether I’m praying out loud in public or quietly in a private moment. This year, I truly want to focus on trusting Jesus more than simply seeking answers to fulfill my own desires. I recognize that this is a challenging journey for me, but I’m eager to walk alongside Jesus throughout the year. No matter what I face, I’ll trust Him to carry out His perfect will in every situation circumstances.
PRAYER:
Jesus, I’m truly grateful for your constant reminders that you see, hear, and feel everything I’m going through. Thank you for the countless miracles and prayers answered through your unwavering faithfulness in my life. As I journey through 2025, I ask for your guidance to embrace a simplicity of faith that honors and glorifies you. Help me to focus on trusting who you are, rather than being concerned with outcomes. You are faithful, you are capable, and you know so much more than I could ever comprehend. I place my trust in you, Amen!
