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Response
Fear is a common human emotion and experience. Many individuals fear the unknown and death. However, God instructs believers not to be consumed by fear. Instead, we are encouraged to have reverence for God (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 19:23; Matthew 10:28). In Mark 5:36, Jesus addresses Jairus’ fear by saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe” (NKJV).
Jairus, a leader in the synagogue, approached Jesus because his young daughter was gravely ill “And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,” (Mark 5:22). He implored Jesus to come to his home and heal her so she could live (verse 23). While on their way, messengers arrived from Jairus’ house to inform him that his daughter had passed away. Feeling despondent, they questioned Jairus, “Why trouble the teacher any further?” (verse 35). Jesus overheard them and reassured Jairus, “Do not fear; only believe” Mark 5:46. They proceeded to Jairus’ house. There, Jesus took the girl by the hand and uttered, “‘Talitha koum!’ (which means ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’)” (verse 41). Instantly, she rose and began to walk (verse 42). Jesus had resurrected the girl.
Leading up to this event, Jesus had demonstrated His authority over calamities, demons, and illnesses. He had quieted a violent storm (Mark 4:35-41), expelled a legion of demons (Mark 5:1-13), and healed numerous individuals, including a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years (Mark 5:25-29). Through the resurrection of Jairus’ daughter, Jesus exhibited His dominion over death. Jesus was
It waited until the girl was identified as deceased before informing Jairus, “Do not fear; only believe,” and before raising her from the dead.
The Bible frequently states things like “Do not fear,” “Do not be afraid,” and “Fear not.” Jesus’ statement “Do not fear; only believe” indicated that Jairus was not to allow anxiety or worry to take hold in his heart. Jesus’ directive suggests that fear and faith cannot peacefully coexist. Believers do not need to dwell in fear because God has granted us “a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” «For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. », (2 Timothy 1:7, ESV). We are to be individuals of faith, not fear.
The directive “Do not fear; only believe” does not oppose the directive to fear God. Actually, it is in fearing God that we are capable of believing in Him and living without fear. The one who fears God can declare, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust” (Psalm 91:1-2). Those who have confidence in God can live fearlessly: “You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you” (Psalm 91:5-7). Jesus instructs believers to fear the Lord, not our circumstances.
Faith enables us to embody what Jesus advised: “Do not fear; only believe.” To have faith in God is to have confidence in who God is and what He has accomplished. He who sacrificed Himself for us «who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. », (Titus 2:14)
Is trustworthy and worthy of our faith. Our faith does not have to be significant (Matthew 17:20;Luke 17:6). It just needs to be placed in the right person «But without faith, it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him. », (Hebrews 11:6), be persistent «Pray without ceasing. », (1 Thessalonians 5:17), and have the right intent (James 4:2-3). Jairus trusted in Jesus and witnessed the miracle of Jesus bringing his daughter back to life.
This does not mean that everything we pray for will be answered the way we want. When Jesus told Jairus, “Do not fear; only believe,” He did not promise Jairus that He would raise his daughter from the dead. He did not even tell Jairus whether the outcome would be favorable. When we pray, we must pray according to God’s will: we must be open to whatever time and whatever way the Lord chooses to answer our prayer. First John 5:14–15 tells us, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” In the case of Jairus, it was God’s will for Jesus to heal his daughter.
Believers need not fear, only believe that God will work all things “for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” «And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. », (Romans 8:28). God is right, faithful.l, and true «For the word of the LORD is right; And all his works are done in truth. », (Psalm 33:4), and we can trust in Him. We need not fear anything that comes our way, including death, because our hope ultimately rests in Him «Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, », (1 Peter 1:3).
