"Your daughter is dead," they said. "Why bother the teacher any more?"
Here a man is told not to bother Jesus anymore. They think the situation is hopeless. It’s too late!
Jesus tells the man not to listen to this advice! Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."
When Jesus follows him home, the people there laugh at His hopeful assessment of the situation. Their thoughts? Why bother!
In our own lives sometimes things seem so far gone we are tempted to think nothing can be done. Nobody can help. Why bother?
Our marriage is going south. We're miles apart. This can’t be fixed. Why bother?
My child doesn’t listen to me anymore. He hangs around with the wrong crowd. Now he’s in trouble with the law. Why bother?
I've lost my job. I am so far in debt I'll never get my head above water. Creditors hassle me all day long! Why bother?
Our church seems dead. We don’t get anything out of going anymore. Things will never change. Why bother?
My spiritual life is moving in an endless circle. No matter how hard I try, it ends up right where it started. Spinning my wheels! Why bother?
Why bother is such lousy advice!
Do what Jesus does. Ignore it! Because no situation is too far gone when Jesus is in the picture! Here He proves it by raising the little girl from the dead!!!
Listen to the Teacher! Ignore any voice – even your own – that tempts you to despair. Where Jesus is…always there is hope. Believe!
"Don't be afraid; just believe."
ReplyDeleteWhile we have the complete picture, could you imagine that statement if your daughter had just died? In the midst of troubling times, trials, stress and heartache... we know we are to have faith that God will pull us through...
Yet, "Don't be afraid; just believe." is harder to do than say.
And in those times when we do believe, how often are we also amazed?
"at this they were completely astonished."
There have been times I thought I believed, and then was astonished as if I had no clue! That's the Teacher! More powerful than our hopes and dreams - blessing more than our imagination would lead us.
"Now to him who is able to do immeasureably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." Eph 3:20-21
Even when we do believe - we should prepare to be amazed!
Kevin, your insightful and encouraging
ReplyDeletecomments are extremely helpful. Thank you.
Denny, it's my pleasure. Thanks for setting up this blog. This really is a very good way for folks to encourage one another and to spend time in the word on a daily basis. I know many people view but don't post. When I missed a few days, folks here encouraged me to get back to daily posting - which was an encouragement to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the opportunity to encourage and be encouraged. And thanks for your encouraging and insightful daily comments.
Isn't it amazing how God can use us for His good!
Oh yeah - this passage was about being amazed!