Luke 8:49-56

Luke 8:49-56 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.” Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

Through this story God wants us to know our "daughter" is never dead if we continue to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord. Again we have a story that reveals Jesus is Lord, that He is God. Jesus is doing things that no man from the beginning of time could do; He is even raising the dead. This story should comfort us when we struggle, when we face situations we cannot solve. The Bible says, the word (Jesus) is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. (Deuteronomy 30:14) Therefore, in faith we should pray for help and for healing. We should pray not only for healing and for deliverance from difficult situations, we should pray for everything we do. What about that dress you want to buy? Pray. What about the car you need? Pray. We pray and we give thanks to God for our many blessings, knowing godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6)

Jesus told Jairus to continue to believe: DON'T BE AFRAID. As Christians we struggle with life just as everyone else does, for we are flesh, but Jesus tells us to believe: believe for the miracles you need. Believe, but if the answer does not materialize as you desire, what then? Are you not a child of God? Is that not your hope, your foundation for believing? If so, you know Jesus Christ is LORD. He does not have to prove himself as He did in Israel. As Lord of your life, He does not have to prove himself to you, for you are not an unbeliever; you know He is Lord. Therefore, rise up in faith and live, doing what you know to do, living the best you can for this day. Get up, wash your face and partake of the good things of the Lord. This is your inheritance, who you are as a Christian.

Paul, a man of God, traveled thousands of miles to preach the gospel; he was stoned one time to the point that the people observing the scene thought he was dead. Yet he kept on living for Jesus regardless of the circumstances. Paul, the weary traveler, stopped his journey for good at Rome where he was martyred. But Jesus was his Lord all the way through his perilous and troubled journey through life. Paul's life expresses best what our lives should be. Yes, as Paul, we pray, we believe, but regardless of the answers, we keep on going until we face our Rome because we know as Paul did that to live is Christ and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:21)

Jesus says, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God. (Luke 9:62) We don't look back. We don't ask, Why did this tragedy happen? Why didn't God deliver us from that difficulty? No, we die to ourselves, endure by faith to the end, and praise God for his faithfulness. We realize that Jesus does not heal every sickness or deliver us from every problem, but we know He is Lord. His primary concern remains making heavenly children for God. His seed died so that life could come to all who believe. Jesus asked Jairus to just believe. We must believe that we are God's children, that this world is not our home. We must believe that our journey will not end in Rome, but at the feet of our Savior, and in his presence is fullness of joy. Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened. He was not here to heal the whole world. He was not here to solve all problems and end all wars. He was here to reveal through the miracles He did that He was the son of God, Messiah, and his mission was to make sons and daughters of the Lord. So today, we believe, we obey scripture, and we rejoice in the "good news" of Christ in us our hope of Glory. As with our brother Paul, I will say it again: Rejoice!