Mark 5:35-43: a reflection

35While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler’s house, saying, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?” 36But Jesus, when he heard the message spoken, immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Don’t be afraid, only believe.” 37He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38He came to the synagogue ruler’s house, and he saw an uproar, weeping, and great wailing. 39When he had entered in, he said to them, “Why do you make an uproar and weep? The child is not dead, but is asleep.” 40They ridiculed him. But he, having put them all out, took the father of the child, her mother, and those who were with him, and went in where the child was lying. 41Taking the child by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha cumi!” which means, being interpreted, “Girl, I tell you, get up!” 42Immediately the girl rose up and walked, for she was twelve years old. They were amazed with great amazement. 43He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and commanded that something should be given to her to eat.

Jairus has come to Jesus, pleading for his dying daughter; but before they reach the house, word comes: the girl is dead; there is no point troubling the Teacher any further. It is the message of hopelessness: it is too late, nothing can be done now. But Jesus, overhearing, speaks to Jairus a word that cuts through the despair: Do not fear; only believe. And going to the house, he takes the dead girl by the hand and raises her to life. What seemed final and hopeless was not beyond his power.

Notice Jesus' word in the face of what seemed hopeless: do not fear; only believe. The situation looked finished; the girl was dead, and human hope was gone. But Jesus called Jairus, even then, to keep believing, not to fear. And he showed that what seemed final, death itself, was not beyond his power; he took the dead girl by the hand, and she rose. The word do not fear, only believe was not empty comfort, but a call to trust the One for whom even death is not the end.

That word, do not fear, only believe, is one we need when our own situations seem hopeless, past all remedy. There are times when it seems too late, when human hope is gone, when the message comes that nothing more can be done. In such times, Jesus' word to Jairus is his word to us: do not fear; only believe. For what seems final and hopeless to us is not beyond Jesus' power; he is Lord even over death, and nothing is too hard for him. When your situation seems hopeless, past all remedy, do not give way to despair; hear Jesus' word, do not fear, only believe, and trust the One for whom even death is not the end. What seems finished to you may not be finished to him; keep believing, even in the face of what seems hopeless, trusting the Jesus who raised the dead girl and is Lord even over what seems final.

Lord Jesus, when word came to Jairus that his daughter was dead and there was no point troubling you further, you cut through the despair: do not fear; only believe; and going to the house, you took the dead girl by the hand and raised her, for what seemed final was not beyond your power. Give me that word when my own situations seem hopeless, past all remedy. There are times when it seems too late, when human hope is gone, when the message comes that nothing more can be done. In such times, your word to Jairus is your word to me: do not fear; only believe. For what seems final and hopeless to me is not beyond your power; you are Lord even over death, and nothing is too hard for you. When my situation seems hopeless, past all remedy, keep me from giving way to despair; help me hear your word, do not fear, only believe, and trust you, for whom even death is not the end. What seems finished to me may not be finished to you; help me keep believing, even in the face of what seems hopeless, trusting you, Lord, who raised the dead girl and are Lord even over what seems final. I will not fear; help me believe.