Don't Be Afraid; Just Believe!

Luke 8:40-56

Key Verse 8:50

Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed."

In this passage Jesus demonstrated that he is the King of life who deserves our full trust, so that as we put trust in Him, we would celebrate the life the Lord has made available for those who are in Him. "With this faith our highest thoughts of the potential for humanity, and our dearest hopes for ourselves and those we love, are inseparably connected." Alfred Eldsheim 

1. Verses 40-42 describe the way Jairus brought his problem to Jesus. In what respect was it difficult for him to plead with the Lord in this way? How did Jesus honor his plea? What can we learn from Jairus?

** 1) Externally, other people stood in line waiting for Jesus to help them out; and 2) internally he might have had to overcome his inner pride as the ruler of the synagogue. 

** Jesus was on his way to Jairus' house.

** 1) His humility before the Lord; 2) His faith in the Lord; and 3) His intercessory prayer for his daughter. 

2. Verses 43-48 tell us about the way Jesus helped a woman with a bleeding disease. Upon receiving healing from Jesus, this woman wanted to go "unnoticed". Yet, why did Jesus insist on her coming out to see him?

** Jesus wanted to build a personal relationship with the woman, so she would continue to live before the Lord without shame and guilt. 

Remember that according to the Jewish law, she was categorically "unclean". She also might have feared that her "touch" would result in making Jesus unclean. (Lev 15:25-27) Thus her mind-set must have been like that of a thief who was caught pick-pocketing. But Jesus opened the way for her to come out to him, receive his full blessing, and live before him as a blessed child without any hint of shame and/or guilt.

3. Think about what "someone" said to Jairus in verse 49 and what Jesus said to Jairus in verse 50. In what respect do the words of that "someone" sound reasonable? Yet what do you think Jesus wanted to teach him with the following words: 1) Don't be afraid; and 2) just believe? What do Jesus' words tell us about Jesus? 

** It is based on the fact that biologically indeed she crossed the line. Plus, Jesus needed a "break". 

** Most likely Jesus wanted to teach him the power of faith in Jesus, so that with this faith he would overcome the fear of death. Read Heb 2:14-15

** Jesus is the Savior who came to empower us to overcome all the obstacles and thereby live as more than conquerors through our absolute faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom 8:31-39

4. On arriving at the Jairus' house, Jesus allowed only a limited number of people to go in with him (51). Why? 

** 1) Perhaps Jesus wanted to prepare a believing environment. Cf. Mark 6:4-6

2) Jesus wanted to give key members special training, so they would also go out and train others. 

5. Compare: 1) what Jesus said to the people wailing and mourning (52), and 1) the way they responded to Jesus' words (53). Who had the right view of the girl’s actual condition, Jesus or, the mourners? Why do you think Jesus said what he did?

** Jesus was correct from a spiritual standpoint, but the mourners were correct only from a physical standpoint. 

** He said what he said because he wanted to teach them that He is the author of life. 

6. Examine the way in which Jesus brought Jairus' daughter back to life: 1) He took her by the hand; 2) and said, "My child, get up!"; 3) Her spirit returned; 4) at once she stood up; and 5) Jesus told them to give her something to eat. What does this miracle show us about Jesus? 

** This shows that:

1) he is a gentle shepherd who gently lifts up the young ones by his hand; 2) he is going to help his children come back to life through the power of his word (John 5:28); 3) he is the Creator God who made Adam to be a living being by breathing into his nostrils the breath of life (Gen 2:7); 4) He is the Almighty God whose power is absolute; and 5) he sustains our life in a physical body with food and drink.

Overall, this miracle shows us that there is no separateness among those who are in the Lord. 

7. Why might Jesus have "ordered" the girl’s parents not to tell anyone about the miracle? 

** Most likely it was to strengthen the faith of the parents. Remember that the order was given to the parents. Jesus always wants us to learn "faith" through [miraculous] events. He is like a wise man who teaches a fisherman how to fish rather than just giving him a bunch of fish. 

The end

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