"Fear Not: Believe Only"

Yesterday morning Pastor continued his series through Matthew. This time he read the Scripture in Matthew 9:18-19 and 23-26, then continued the study in Mark 5:21-24 and 35-43, as Mark has 2.5 times more verses than Matthew.

In his introduction, it was interesting to note how the gospels give us complementary pieces of the puzzle. Each tells us some things we would not otherwise know. Luke tells us this was Jairus' only daughter, and that Jesus promised she would be made whole. Mark tells us of Jairus' term of endearment for his daughter (little daughter), the pressing crowd, the extent of the noise at Jairus' house, the Aramaic words spoken to the child (Jesus told her to wake up), and that she began to walk around after being raised from the dead. Mark and Luke tell us Jairus' name, that he requested the healing of his daughter before she died, that the daughter was 12 years old, the inner circle (Peter, James, and John) was present, and that Jesus commanded them not to publish this miracle. Matthew was showing Jesus' Messianic power, His teaching, and tracking for us the responses of the people.

Many followed, knowing Jesus generally, recognizing Jesus' uniqueness, and observing Jesus' powerful witness. He was involved in active ministry and was being eagerly received. They listened and spread the word about Him. He spoke with authority and befriended those whom other people stayed away from. His healing was immediate and complete.

Some believed and received, exercising some level of faith, expressing some degree of hope, expecting some ministry of love, and experiencing some demonstration of life. Jairus demonstrated the fervency of his plea, and recognized Jesus was the only One Who could minister to him and his family in the way they needed Him to. Jesus helped those who asked. He told Jairus to not fear but believe. Jesus always guided the thinking of the people He ministered to, seeking to draw them into a relationship with Himself. This mourning was inconsistent with His presence. They laughed Him to scorn, showing the girl was indeed dead, and underscoring that He raised her from the dead. He made provision to stop the spread of the news, and procured the needed refreshment for the child after raising her back to life.

Others remained unchanged, offended by Jesus' claims, dissatisfied with Jesus' demands, threatened by Jesus' authority, challenged by Jesus' reception, doubting Jesus' ability, and rejecting Jesus' message. They were offended by His claim to grant forgiveness, and that He was man's only hope for salvation and spiritual life. In chapter 19, the rich young ruler was an example of one dissatisfied with Jesus' demands. Jesus points out the sin in people's lives. "Everything must be abandoned if you will be My disciple," He said. He spoke as God, not from the religious traditions of the day. They thought sinners were defiled, and Jesus should not associate with them. He came to minister to the sick (physically, but especially spiritually). He was there to set up a spiritual kingdom and what they were trusting in must be abandoned. False religion never dealt with the heart, and could not save anyone.