Greetings in the name of Jesus.

     This week we will complete our study of Mark5:27-43. In our

first lesson we saw Jarius the synagogue ruler humble himself and

risk his standing among the people, the pharisees, and Sadducees

by publicly begging Jesus to come and heal his dying daughter.

Jesus agreed to go with him, but as they were walking to his home

a healing took place in the midst of the crowds and Jesus stopped

the whole procession to interview the woman who was healed.

Jarius' anxiety over the delay must have been overwhelming! He

had left his daughter on the verge of death. Surely time was

running out. Then, after what seemed like an eternity, just as

Jesus was dismissing the healed woman, news came to Jarius that

his daughter was dead.

     Jarius collapsed with grief, but Jesus lifted up his tear

filled face, looked into his eyes and said "Don't be afraid, just

believe."



     Now let's begin our study with prayer. I'll start and you

finish.   

     Holy Father, your ways are too wonderful for me to

understand, but as I read and study your word, open my eyes and

my heart to know Jesus your son.................. 



     To complete our devotional time you may want to read the

entire story, Mark 5:27-43. If you are pressed for time just pick

up where we left off at verse 36 and read to 43 several times.





     After the crowd understood that Jarius' daughter was dead,

it was not difficult for Jesus to leave them behind with the

disciples, after all, nobody likes to go to a funeral. Jesus,

along with Peter, James, and John, followed the grieving Jarius

to his house. What Jesus was about to do was not for all eyes.

     As they approached the home of Jarius the wailing sound of

the mourners could be heard. Neighbors were beginning to gather

to join the mourners and offer comfort to the family. Jesus'

words "The Child is not dead but asleep", bring scorn from those

inside the house. In ancient times everyone was familiar with

death, they knew what it looked like, the girl was dead.

     

     "Don't be afraid just believe", these words of Jesus echoed

in Jarius' heart. "What can he mean "The child is not dead but

asleep"? "How can I believe when I see her sightless eyes and her

still form?" "No man can give life to the dead."



     Jesus turned to Jarius, "Everyone must leave, You, your

wife, and my disciples may remain."



----- "Don't be afraid just believe",----- 



"The Rabbi says everyone must leave the house, do as he says."



------"Don't be afraid just believe",----



Everyone is gone now, the room is still and quiet-----





     "The Child is not dead but asleep"

     

     "Don't be afraid just believe"

          

               "Talithe koum"



     "He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this"





     Can you imagine what would have happened if the people of

Capernaum would have discovered that Jesus could raise the dead?

They would have mobbed him, and the ministry of the Gospel would

have been crushed by the multitude as they carried their dead to

Jesus that He might raise them to life.

     Resurrection takes place in private, in silence, in the

presence of hopelessness, and despair, in the face of death, and

with the words of Jesus "Don't be afraid just believe" sounding

in our hearts.

     Jesus CAN give life to the dead!, how much more can he give

life to us, who live in Him already?

     Sometimes we loose sight of his power working in us and

loose way in the press of the crowd and the sound of the

mourners. There comes a time when we must empty our house and in

quietness come to Jesus and let him work his Resurrection once

again in our lives. If it is a time like this for you, "Don't be

afraid just believe." Take the phone off the hook, cancel your

appointments, turn off the T.V. and the radio and kneel before

the one who knows you and knows your struggles, and who loves you

even in your doubt and your weakness, who died for you when you

were a sinner, whose blood still washes away your sins even now

and embrace him in confession and prayer. 

"Don't be afraid just believe." 





                                   in Christ



                                   Greg Spencer