City Life Starter

Written by Aisha Darwesh

The Word

³⁵ And before he had finished speaking, people arrived from Jairus’ house and pushed through the crowd to give Jairus the news: “There’s no need to trouble the master any longer—your daughter has died.” ³⁶ But Jesus refused to listen to what they were told and said to the Jewish official, “Don’t yield to fear. All you need to do is to keep on believing.” 

Mark 5:35-36 (The Passion Translation)

Aisha’s Analysis

Today’s text reminds us to trust God no matter what. In this story, Jairus’ life intersected with the woman with the issue of blood at a pivotal moment. While Jesus was on His way to heal Jairus’ daughter, He unknowingly healed the woman with the issue of blood who risked everything to touch the hem of His garment. 

During this woman’s miraculous healing and subsequent reaffirming conversation with Jesus, messengers arrived to tell Jairus his daughter had died. Can you imagine the overwhelming fear and soul-crushing disappointment Jairus experienced in that moment? 

It is exactly in this moment, the Bible unveils a life-changing spiritual principle:  But Jesus refused to listen to what they were told and said to the Jewish official, “Don’t yield to fear. All you need to do is to keep on believing.” (Mark 5:36 TPT). 

This shows us we must be selective in what we listen to. Jesus refused to listen to the messengers bearing news of the young girl’s death. Was He putting His head in the sand? Was he ignoring reality? Not by any means. Jesus knew the Father’s will concerning Jairus’ daughter, and that transcends everything else. 

Secondly, fear can block us from stepping out in faith and experiencing all the Father has planned for us. Just like the woman with the issue of blood, we must learn to press past fear to receive a touch from God. 

It is evident from Jairus’ willingness to even ask Jesus to heal his daughter that he had faith in God. Jesus gave Jairus the key to fostering his faith in God–get rid of fear, only believe. Jesus went on to supernaturally heal Jairus’ daughter from the dead, and I believe it is, at least in part, because Jairus was willing to lay his fears and doubts aside, and trust God no matter what. Let’s do the same!

Application

Have you received a negative report that is really weighing you down and causing you to live in fear? Allow Jesus to speak into the situation. Find out what He says about the matter. 

God has shown us time and again that we can trust Him no matter what. He has a perfect track record of coming through for us even when we least deserve or expect it. God is faithful and trustworthy because that’s just who He is. 

Today, make (or renew) your decision to trust God regardless of your circumstances or experience.

Prayer

Father God, I just want to thank You for breathing life into my soul and awakening it from the dead. Thank You, Holy Spirit, for leading and guiding me into all truth. I repent for not trusting You in certain areas and invite You to speak life into those areas today. In Jesus’ name, amen.