Luke 8:50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”
Commentary points out that Jesus gives Jairus two tasks: 1. Don’t be afraid. 2. Just believe. Then commentary includes this gem, “Jesus knew that fear and faith don’t go together.” Oh, friends. The struggle between fear and faith is one that I have fought for years (and years and years). I cannot say, “Jesus, I believe in Your sovereignty, Your mercy, Your grace and compassion and goodness” AND still be afraid. Yet I so often am.
Luke 8:51 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.
But my fear keeps me from Christ’s peace. It also limits Jesus’s ability to heal, to work, in my life. If I am afraid, then I have not put that pain, that worry, whatever it is, at His feet for Him to have. My fear means I am still holding it close to me, meaning that my energies, instead of going to Jesus, who has complete control of the situation, instead of going to a belief in His healing, even if it looks like nothing I had hoped or imagined, are zipping all over the place with worry, fear, probably some anger, uncertainty, often bitterness, etc, etc.
Luke 8:52a Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her.
Precious Savior, “I believe. Help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). You and I have worked on this for years. Forgive me that I still struggle with faith and fear. Forgive me that I still cling to fear, hold it to me, even though You are gracious, loving, compassionate, sovereign. Help me, Jesus. I want to trust only in You. I want fear to have no hold on my life. I want You to reign sovereign. Help me. Amen.
Luke 8:52b “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”
Have a blessed day.