Don’t Fear, Just Believe
The Bible reading for today is Matt. 14; Mark 6; Lk.9:1-17.
The stories of Jesus’ healings, parables and teachings have been flying fast and furious this past week in our daily readings–if you’ve been having a hard time getting a handle on all of it, you’re not alone. Here are a few of my highlights, and I’d love to hear yours.
Desperate, weak, fearful men and women find Jesus and are changed into faithful followers. . .
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Jairus, a synagogue ruler, first begs Jesus to come and heal his dauther, then hears the devastating news that his daugher has died, only to hear Jesus respond, “Do not fear, only believe.” Apparently he obeys, and moments later witnesses the first resurrection of Jesus’ ministry when his daughter ‘wakes’ to serve a meal.
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the demon-possesed man whose body has been ravaged, finds himself freed from bondage and begging Jesus that he might come with him; surprisingly, Jesus refuses and asks him to stay and ‘tell’ his story, which he does, becoming the first missionary by proclaiming thruout the Decapolis “how much Jesus had done for him”.
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the woman who has been bleeding for 12 years and spent all she has on doctor’s fees all for nothing, touches Jesus’ garment in a crowd and is instantly healed; upon which he calls her out and blesses her with these words, “Daugher (what tenderness!), your faith has made you well (the desperate, weak faith of a sick woman!); go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
When I hear these stories, I feel like breaking into song–”Oh, how I love Jesus!” What a merciful, tender, compassionate Savior! And yet, the stories show another side, too.
When he speaks parables to the crowds and his disciples question him about them, he explains that he speaks in ‘riddles’ that the crowd may ’see but not perceive and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.”
Jesus recognizes the difference between desperate faith that reaches out and holds fast, and short-lived infatuation which is ‘choked out’ by ‘the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things’. To the first he shows compassion, to the second he shows judgment–”For to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.”
And so, our Lord is a tender Warrior, a gentle Judge, a Lion and a Lamb. Are you hearing, believing and obeying His Word today? Are the cares of today choking out His words? Let’s encourage one another as we gather together tomorrow for corporate worship to hold fast to His word.
