102. Crushed

Luke 8:49-50

While he was still speaking to her, a messenger arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. He told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”

But when Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed.”

Reflect

Jesus was on his way to Jairus’ house to heal Jairus’ daughter, when a messenger arrived to say that the girl had died. It was too late. Nothing could be done for her. Jairus would’ve been crushed. Losing a child is one of the most painful things that can ever happen to someone. It’s devastating. The news would have echoed around Jairus’ head. He would have found it hard to breathe and probably needed help to remain standing. His life had been torn apart. And worse, he wasn’t with her when she died. He wasn’t there to hold her hand, stroke her hair and whisper beautiful things in her ear as she passed away.

But Jesus, hearing the message, turned to Jairus and said, “Don’t be afraid. Trust in me.” In this situation, there was nothing Jairus could do. He wasn’t even at home to comfort his wife. However, he still had a choice; to be afraid or to be bold; to doubt or to trust. It wasn’t the amount of faith that Jairus had that mattered. The importance was in whom that faith was placed. Jesus.

There will most likely be a time in our life when we will feel like Jairus. Perhaps you’ve already been there, or maybe you’re going through it right now – pain so acute that you don’t feel you can bear it. Hear the words Jesus says to you. “Don’t be afraid. Trust in me.” Jesus stands with you in your pain and suffering and yes, can give you a peace and security despite your circumstances.

Do

Today, whether you’ve felt the pain of Jairus in the past, are feeling it now, or are in a peaceful place, place your trust in God’s hands. Hear the words of Jesus to you today, “Don’t be afraid. Trust in me.”

Pray

Holy God
You never told us that living would be easy,
or that we would be spared pain and anguish.
Give me your strength that when I go through difficult times,
I may be confident, courageous and bold.
I choose to believe and trust in you.
This day and forever.
Amen.

Think

Of what would Jairus have been afraid, that Jesus needed to tell him not to fear?