In life, we can land in a place where we need help. We look for support but either find ourselves alone or those around us are filled with negativity and empty words because life is happening to them too. They mean well, but their cure is no salve for our need. What do we do? Do we give into hopelessness or muster up a small seed of hope to find some relief? Often, a little bit of faith can change a situation.
The Story: Mark 5:21-43
In Mark 5:21-43, we find two people who needed some help. Their situations were different, but they had one common theme: the need for a healing. Jairus’ daughter was on the verge of death. As a wealthy commander, Jairus went to Jesus to request a healing for his 12 year old. Jesus headed with Jairus to his home, but the crowd impeded their journey and slowed their progress. When they began their trip again, Jairus received word that his efforts were in vain because his daughter died. Despite the news, Jesus and Jairus continued to his home and went into the daughter’s room. The only people allowed in the room were Jairus and his wife along with the few with Jesus. Jesus spoke the word and the preteen got up and walked around the room.
Then, there was the woman with the issue of blood. She was sick and found no relief for 12 years. Despite her illness, she believed that if she pressed her way to Jesus, He would heal her. Unfortunately, she couldn’t simply walk up to Him as her condition prevented public outings based on the Law. However, her faith sent her into the streets to receive her healing. She wouldn’t be stopped by the Law so she got low and crawled her way to Jesus. Her faith and perseverance brought complete healing.
The Lesson
In Mark 5:21-43, we see faith in action. Jairus had the status to get to Jesus while his faith brought Jesus to his home. Those around him said, “Don’t bother Jesus for your child is dead.” All the naysayers and doubters couldn’t come in the room when Jesus came. Thankfully, Jairus was healed from people and followed the Law of God by keeping his faith. Through Jairus’ faith, we see the importance of who’s in our tribe. The people around us either enhance or diminish our faith. We want people who can stand in the gap when we’re weak. People, who can push us, create a forward momentum on our way to greatness.
As for the woman with the issue of blood, she once had a family and friends. But in this moment, she was alone. At certain periods, we find ourselves alone with our condition. We can give up and decide that we’re no match for our circumstances. We can resign that the absence of those who once surrounded us means that there is no hope. However, there’s another option. We can grab our faith and press forward. We can decide that the law in our minds is no match for the law of God, which is faith. While our law says, “I can’t,” God’s law says, “all things are possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23). The time has come to follow the law of faith to heal the law in our minds.
Whether with a tribe or alone, faith is the substance of needed to finish the journey. Our thoughts and situations may appear grim and dark even hopeless. However, our faith is our hope that regardless of the appearance, we will succeed. Our faith is “the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).
