Waiting on Jesus, part 15:

While He was still speaking, someone came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, "Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore." But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, "Do not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be made well." (Luke 8:49-50 NASB)

For the last several days, we have looked at the woman with the hemorrhage. What is easy to forget is that this passage began as a story about Jairus and his dying daughter. Jairus, you may remember, had approached Jesus and asked Him to accompany him to his house to see his only daughter who was near death.  Jesus had immediately started toward the girl. 

In the midst of His going, the woman with the hemorrhage had stopped Jesus by touching the fringe on His robe. She was instantly healed and Jesus had paused to chat with her. Just as He was about to resume His journey with Jairus, news came from the home of Jairus. "Your daughter has died. Stop bothering Jesus and come home."

Selah. Pause and consider this. 

Imagine how Jairus must have felt. He had humbled himself at the feet of Jesus before a crowd of people. He had almost gotten Jesus to his house. Help was so close, but not close enough. If only that woman with the hemorrhage had not stopped Jesus... If only Jesus hadn't stopped to talk to her... If only... Jairus had done all he could humanly do, but it wasn't quite enough, soon enough. If only... 

Just as Jairus was about to collapse with grief, Jesus said a surprising thing. "Do not be afraid any longer. Only believe." Just when it seemed like there was no more need for believing, nothing left to fear, that all hope was gone, Jesus was offering hope. In fact, He was offering an astounding promise. "Stop fearing, keep believing. She will be made well."  When all hope was seemingly gone, Jesus was still able to do more than Jairus could comprehend. 

The girl was dead. Nothing humanly possible could be done. There was not one thing Jairus could do for his daughter. There was nothing he could do, that is, except stop fearing and start trusting. In the midst of utter hopelessness, total failure, a situation beyond redemption, there was still Jesus, and Jesus was all that was needed. 

Do you face a situation of utter hopelessness, total failure, a situation beyond redemption?  When all your hope is gone, when there is no way you can "fix it", stop fearing and keep trusting. Trust Jesus, who can do exceeding abundantly beyond all you can hope or think, (Eph 3:20) and wait for Him to do what only He can do. 

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Link to last night's post: http://leannahollis.blogspot.com/2014/09/lessons-from-battlefield-part-15.html