Daily Bread – January 25, 2022 (The Third Day – Genesis 1:9-13) Mark 5:36 – But Jesus, immediately hearing the word that was spoken, said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe!” Faith and fear don’t mix! The dearest thing to Jairus’ heart lay sick at the point of death. He came to Jesus pleading with Him to come and lay hands on his daughter. The troubled and desperate heart of this father can be captured in the words of Jairus in verse 23, “…and he pleaded intensely with him,” or “…and he begged repeatedly, My little girl has come to the end; come lay your hands on her so that she may be saved and live!” How is it possible to turn your thoughts away from such a terrifying announcement like, “Your daughter is dead?” As far as those who had brought the news to Jairus were concerned, the case was settled, and there was no reason to trouble the teacher because all possibility of recovery had come to an end. However, Jesus was already moving in her direction. He had come into the world to seek and to save that which was lost. He had come to bear the sickness and diseases of all mankind (Matthew 8:16-17). These men were willing to believe with Jairus only up to a certain point. Sure, Jesus could heal the sick, but raising the dead seemed to be unthinkable to them. But as far as Jesus was concerned, nothing had changed. It was no more difficult for Him to raise her from the dead than it was to heal her. Jesus was moved to follow Jairus to his daughter’s bedside because of the faith present in his request when he said, “Come and lay your hands on her, so that she might be saved and live.” Now, it was necessary for Jairus to take another step of faith. He could not let the change in circumstance affect the disposition of his faith. All he had to do was to believe. All he had to do was to be willing to see that the power of Jesus was still greater than the opposing circumstances. His thoughts would have to be captivated by the fact that the power and the authority of Jesus was infinitely greater than the power of death. Thus, the terrifying thought of the death of his daughter had no power to match the greatness of the love and mercy of God found in Jesus (1 John 4:18). There is no need for us to fear. We must come to revelation through our relationship with Jesus that The LORD is our light and our salvation; whom shall we fear? the LORD is the strength of our life; of whom shall we be afraid (Psalms 27:1)? When we depend upon the Holy Ghost and live in that constant and ever increasing manifest glory of His presence, then we shall not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flies by day (Psalms 91:5). We shall not be afraid of evil tidings: our hearts are fixed, trusting in the LORD (Psalms 112:7). When Abraham stepped into the place of absolute consecration to the will of the Father, He heard the words, “Fear not, Abram: I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward (Genesis 15:1). If we will walk in this better place and this better covenant that has been supplied to us through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, then we will hear these things and far greater things as well. Blessings, Pastor Mark Spitsbergen
Daily Bread 1/25/2022
