While Jesus was feasting at Matthew's home, the ruler of the synagogue rushed into the home. He may have been one of the Jews who had come to Jesus on behalf of the centurion some time before (Luke 7:1-10); or he may have had nothing to do with Jesus, because of the opposition Jesus was beginning to garner. It is only conjecture on our part, but we do know that Jairus had obviously seen the healing power of Jesus, and knew that Jesus would be able to help him with the problems that he now faced. He came to the right place!

He falls at Jesus feet with a broken heart. In the Greek we see broken words of grief -- his only daughter is dying, or is already dead. He asks Jesus to come and help him. He freely, boldly confessed his faith in Jesus ability to help him with his problem. While not the faith of the centurion, it was still faith! Jesus in compassion, love and tender care immediately goes with him. He was followed by the disciples, and a multitude who wished to see yet another miracle, or at least to follow Jesus. Imagine Jesus making his way through the crowds, all clamoring after him; all wanting to see him, to hear him teach, or possibly to see yet another miracle.

In the midst of the crowd, however, is another person following for another reason. A twelve year malady caused a woman to be cut off in life from all relationships, physical and religious. Her "issue of blood" caused her to be religiously unclean, and as long as this malady lasted would produce a social stigma that she had the disease because of some promiscuous lifestyle. In her effort to get better she wasted money on physicians and grew worse, not better. So she went to the Great Physician. She wanted the miracle without drawing attention to herself, so she believes that if she simply touches the fringe of his garment (Numbers 15:37-41) then she would be healed. She felt the healing and immediately shrinks back into the crowd. It was the magnetic touch of a timid faith!

Jesus calls attention to her and what happened and she confesses. She came before him with fear and trembling, afraid, perhaps, that he was angry because her touch had made him ceremonially unclean. But he had cleansed her; she had not polluted him. Imagine her joy when she heard "Daughter" (a term of affection and love) YOUR FAITH HAS SAVED YOU!

In the meantime, the word reaches Jairus that his daughter is dead. No doubt those words hit like a punch in the stomach, and all he has done is to no avail. He could have gotten angry because of this unnecessary delay, but he is not the only one who has needs that only Jesus could fill. That could change nothing now.

But Jesus turns and says, FEAR NOT, ONLY BELIEVE! How often when we face the chilling hand of death; when we face the unknown, do we need to hear these words from Jesus.

When he gets to the house the false mourners and loud cacophony of wailing reaches his ears. He tells them "the child is not dead, only sleeping," and when they tried to ridicule him -- he ejects them from the house. He raises the little girl, and amazes the entire family and those with him again of his power. He then puts the family, a few minutes before in mourning, to work to feed the little girl.

One day, Jesus will come again and raise all of the dead (John 5:28-29). We base our lives on the living hope of the one who has already been there and conquered death. We eagerly await that day! FEAR NOT, ONLY BELIEVE!