A woman who had just returned from a trip to Mexico called the Los Angeles police to report that a rattlesnake was loose in her overnight bag. Police went rushing to the scene with sirens screaming. They approached the bag which the woman had heaved out of a window onto the sidewalk. Cautiously, they scattered the contents of the bag—only to find that the rattle was caused by an electric toothbrush, accidentally turned on! (Tan, Paul Lee: Encyclopedia of 7700 Illustrations : A Treasury of Illustrations, Anecdotes, Facts and Quotations for Pastors, Teachers and Christian Workers. Garland TX : Bible Communications, 1996, c1979)
Life can be downright scary sometimes, we can be faced with all sorts of circumstances that can hit us at some very inopportune times. Luke 8:40-ff., records a great fear that Jarius faced. Jarius was a dad whose 12 year old is very sick, in fact so sick that he had now sought out Jesus to help. Jesus is traveling back with Jarius and they are momentarily delayed because another sick lady touched Jesus' garment and was healed (which is amazing in itself, but not the focus today). During this brief delay, messengers come to inform Jarius that his 12 year old has now passed on. Parent's worst nightmare: Jarius' greatest fear has now come true. Someone from his home was so helpful *sarcastically said*:
49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher any more.” (S. Lk 8:49)
Wow, think I'd fire that person, anyway, as I said Jarius' greatest fear as a parent just came true. As soon as the person says this to him, Jesus turns to him and responds:
50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” (NIV, Lk 8:50)
Those words resonate, and let them marinate for a minute, "Don't be afraid, just believe". Read them again, again, and again.
Fear grips us, controls us, paralyzes us. Jesus Says, "Don't be afraid, just believe". Life is scary, life is full of surprises, and life, well, is life. Jesus wants us to life in faith and by faith. The next time you are faced with fear, remember: "Don't be afraid, just believe".
oh and by the way, "the end of the story" is Jesus goes to Jarius' house, takes the 12 year old by the hand, and tells her to get up and (surprise) she goes from death to life......all because Jarius believed.
have a great day, Chris
No comments:
Post a Comment