Faith statements, when matched with belief, are the antidote to fear. In these two stories (healing a woman and raising a dead girl), Jesus’ central message in the passage is “don’t fear, only believe.” Two questions become very important. What circumstances in your life right now are tempting you to fear? What do you believe Jesus is capable of?

Belief in Jesus Overcomes Fear.

1. Consider belief in Jesus’ holiness. Both situations would cause a Jew to become ceremonially unclean. One involved a corpse and the other blood. Neither situation was a threat to Jesus’ healing presence. No sin or sickness in your life is too much for him.

2. Consider belief in Jesus’ power. Jairus and the woman fall at Jesus’ feet in reverence and humility. They believe he can help. However, at the house, Jesus puts out those who laugh at his making light of death by saying the girl was asleep.

3. Consider belief in Jesus’ attention to you. He hears our prayers. However, he seems to accept whatever faith limits we have. Jairus thought Jesus needed to touch his daughter to heal her. The woman thought she had to touch Jesus’ garment to be healed. Elsewhere, a Centurion believes Jesus can heal just by giving his word. In what ways might you be limiting Jesus by a lack of belief in him, like the people in his hometown of Nazareth (see Mark 6:1-6)?

Taking It Home: Bring your real needs before Jesus in prayer, especially speaking your request out loud. What do you want him to do for you? He is able to do far more than we typically expect. In the face of fear, profess out loud what you believe about Jesus. Invite him to share his peace that passes all understanding with you.