In the New Testament we read of the miraculous account of Jairus’s daughter being raised from the dead. Although this story in and of itself is incredible, the story that happened moments before tells of a much deeper act of faith.

Jairus a well-known ruler of a syngague needed the Savior’s help. His twelve-year-old daughter had fallen dangerously ill and he was desperate to help her. He found his way to the Savior, which was no small feat due to the amount of crowds thronging him. When he finally arrived, he fell at the Savior’s feet: “I pray thee, come [to my house] and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed,” he begged. Can you feel the intensity of his plea?

Compassionately, the Savior goes with him.  Yet while on the way He is stopped by a sick woman, equally desperate in her need, who touched the hem of His garment. Jesus stops to talk with her. Jairus must now wait. How would you feel in this moment? What thoughts might be going through your head?

Amidst all this commotion, Jairus receives word that his daughter had died. His rescue crusade had failed.  Oh, what pain must have filled his breast! At that moment, Christ senses Jairus’s hopelessness and says to him, “Be not afraid, Only Believe.” In other words, don’t go anywhere! Don’t assume all is lost! Continue to follow me and “be not moved in the hope of the Gospel” (Col 1:23). Jairus chose to stay by the Savior’s side; to faithfully follow Him back to his home; to meekly walk  into the room where his daughter lay still on the bed; to be there to witness the miracle when she was raised from the dead and brought back into his arms. Oh what joy must have filled his breast!

This same joy is available to each of us, if we can but choose to faithfully follow the Savior, continue to trust Him, and “be not moved in the hope of the Gospel” while we wait to witness His miracle for us.