Mark 5:36 (MSG) While he was still talking, some people came from the leader’s house and told him, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?” Jesus overheard what they were talking about and said to the leader, “Don’t listen to them; just trust me.”
Mark 5:35-36 JPB While he was still speaking, messengers arrived from the synagogue president’s house, saying, “Your daughter is dead—there is no need to bother the master any further.” But when Jesus heard this, he said, “Now don’t be afraid, just go on believing!”
Observation
This chapter has Jesus on the offensive with what was considered the impossible – free a man who has become famous for unbridled madness, raise to life a girl who is dead, and heal a woman with a long history of incurable illness. The impossibility of changing these conditions is perfectly obvious and accepted by everyone else. BUT overcoming and reversing the impossible doesn’t give Jesus the slightest pause. Was He sure that everyone He prayed for would be healed or did He only choose to pray for those who had the faith to receive the healing? Certainly, the madman and the dead girl did not exhibit faith and, yet, they were still healed. Apparently, the parents’ faith was enough for their daughter.
I remember in Matthew 13:58, when Jesus was in His hometown, that “He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Did only a few see past the boy they watched grow up to be a miracle worker and the Messiah? Or was it because He chose not to pray for many? Did He only pray for those who He perceived had faith to believe? There were certainly those He invited to follow that refused (the rich, young ruler). There were times when He healed many, which seems not to be all. Were there also those who were offered healing and refused to receive it? These are questions with answers that are only speculation on our part. Perhaps we need only to lean on the grace and mercy extended to the father in Mark 9:24, “24 “I do believe,” the boy’s father burst out. “Help me to believe more!” (Phillips)
Impact on Me
“Now don’t be afraid, just go on believing!” I want to take the admonition of Jesus in this verse seriously – always, but especially when the situation is dire. How many times have I hesitated to pray the impossible even when I feel that internal urging to “keep on believing”? Is it because of fear or pride? Have I rationalized giving up or in by assenting to “I don’t want to get my hopes up in case nothing happens”. I don’t think that was Jesus’ motivation or the instructions He gave to His disciples or what He said to those who came to receive.
I am not suggesting that we run amok by foregoing medicine and doctors or abandoning the other resources available to us. I am suggesting that we see our enemy through Jesus’ eyes. I do believe He wants us all to seek Him out, listen for His instruction, be completely submitted to Him, and faithful to obey the voice of the Holy Spirit when He asks us all to go on the offensive against the sin, sickness or tempting situation we face. It must be the same faith and effort extended when I have been asked to agree in prayer for another in Christ. I never want to forget that Jesus died to provide for me to be a working part of His Body, ready to defend, protect and support the other parts.
Devotion
Lord God Almighty, Holy, Eternal, Father, let me never forget to worship You in all I do. May I see with the eyes of Jesus and perceive with His heart so I never forget that “impossible” is not part of Your vocabulary. Also, I never want to forget that my wants, my desires, my assessment of what should be must always be subject to Your plan and purpose. Although some will refuse what You offer, Your grace and power to save, heal and deliver is never diminished, never insufficient, never inadequate for those who will receive. May I be faithful to reach out at Your command without hesitation and allow the eternal results to rest with You whether I see visible results or not. In Jesus’ name, I pray.
Pressing On In His Footsteps 