Mark 5 includes a number of well known accounts of Jesus’ miracles. In verses 21-43 Jesus was asked by Jairus, a leader of a local synagogue (church), to visit his home to heal his daughter who was dying. As Jesus was traveling, he was interrupted by the crowds. Before Jesus and Jairus reached Jairus’ home, messengers arrived to tell him that his daughter had died.

How difficult this experience must have been for Jairus. He came to Jesus having heard that he was healing people around the countryside. As Jesus had become a “celebrity” Jairus must have been hopeful and optimistic when Jesus agreed to come to his home. Then to have Jesus delayed in the crowd and then ultimately hear that his daughter had died must have crushed his hope and spirit.

Verses 35-36 say, “They told him, Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now. Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

Don’t we all have those situations when we could lose our hope for a positive outcome. At those times Jesus says to us, “Don’t be afraid, Just have faith.”

We don’t know what God has in store, but we do know that he loves us and has plans for our good.

Dear Lord, help us remember to put our faith and trust in you even when it looks to us like all hope is lost. You have powers we cannot imagine and plans we would not expect. Thank you Lord. In Jesus’ name. Amen.