Don't be Afraid, Just Believe!

Scripture Reading

Luke 8:40–56 NIV84

40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. 43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. 44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” 47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. 48 Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” 49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher any more.” 50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.” 51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.” 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

Introduction

Over the past couple of weeks, as we’ve considered Luke’s Gospel together, we’ve been shown the importance of faith that is expressed in practical terms in life. In other words, the importance of a genuine faith that is not merely spoken, but a faith that is evidenced by it actually being put into practice in daily life.

The parable of the soils at the beginning of chapter 8 set the tone for this. The way in which we receive the word is important - it should bear fruit.

We’ve considered the account of Jesus’ mother and brothers visiting him, but him saying that his mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice (Luke 8:21)

We’ve considered Jesus calming the storm, as Jesus’ life and those of his disciples were in great danger. But in the context of that, we saw how Christ issued a mild rebuke to his disciples for their lack of faith.

Then we had the account of the Gerasene Demoniac last week. And even after this man was miraculously healed, the people of that region refused to exercise faith in Christ. In fact, they outright rejected him, and asked him to leave the area.

Hearing the words of Christ, and then acting in obedience and faith in the person of Jesus Christ, is of critical importance.

And this morning, we will see the lives of two very different people intersect. In one account, there is an act of faith that is richly rewarded. In the second account, we find that Christ instructs a man to exercise faith, even in the face of serious trouble.

As we consider these accounts, we need to be encouraged ourselves in our own lives to be those who truly exercise a deep faith in the person and work of Jesus Christ. When I say that, I don’t only mean an expression of faith with our lips that Christ is Lord and Savaiour. Rather, I mean that we should, having expressed faith in Christ as Lord and Saviour, continue to live out our day to day lives in such a manner that faith in Christ is evidenced in our lives.

With that said, the context of what now unfolds is set by verse 40 of our text. That verse reads…

Luke 8:40 NIV84

40 Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him.

You will recall that Jesus was returning from the region of the Gerasenes, where he had healed the demon-possessed man. The people there had asked him specifically to leave, because they were afraid of him.

And so, Jesus had gotten into the boat and left that area.

The current passage finds Jesus arriving back (probably at or near Capernaum).

But we immediately see the eager anticipation of the crowd when he arrives back. While the people of the Gerasene region couldn’t wait for him to leave, the crowd at Capernaum is eagerly waiting for him. There was a crowd to welcome him, because they were all expecting him.

Is this not a case of the saying, “the same sun that melts the wax, hardens the clay!”

But let us take encouragement even from this, that as we proclaim Christ and seek to make him known in the world, that there will be those that reject the Gospel message outright. But even so, there will be those that gladly receive it!

One additional comment at this stage is that we get a sense from this passage of the frenetic pace of Jesus’ life and minstry, and the hustle and bustle surrounding Jesus as he travelled and proclaimed the Gospel.

This passage just shows how busy ministry life was for Jesus in the normal day.

With that said, let us consider our first observation from this passage:

1. Two Different People; One Similar Need (vv.41-43)

This text brings to our attention two very different people, but with a need that was very similar - that of healing.

The people involved are vastly different in terms of their identities, and how the broader society viewed them. The social standing was vastly different. But they both had a particular need, and as we will find, Jesus was a help to both of them.

No sooner has Jesus arrived on the shore, than a large crowd is pushing around him in order to listen to him teaching, and perhaps in order to ask some questions. But within the hustle and bustle of the crowds around him, Jesus is appraoched by a man named Jairus, who had an urgent need.

Verse 41-42...

The New International Version (1984) A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman

Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying.

The text tells us that the man that came to Jesus was a ruler of the synagogue. This would have made him a man of high position, a man who was well-respected within the town. His responsibility was the oversight, upkeep, planning of services etc. in the synagogue. He would have been well known to all from the town.

We see from our text how seriously he viewed the condition of his daughter. As he approached Jesus, he fell down at Jesus’ feet. This man of high position literally threw himself prostrate at the feet of Jesus. This was an act of reverential respect, and also an acknowledgement of deep need and dependence upon Jesus. As the ruler of the synagogue, it is most likely that he’d witnessed other miracles being performed. At this time, he is pleading with Jesus to help him.

We read in our text that Luke himself states that his daughter of about 12 years old was dying. Evidently, the state of his daughter was very serious indeed. Perhaps Jairus had been anxiously waiting for Jesus to return. And the first thing he does as he hears that Jesus has returned, is go to Jesus.

Now, we must also note that this was his only daughter. He didn’t have any other children, and so his parental concern was that this, his only child, would be taken from him.

We see from the second part of verse 42 that Jesus immediately responded to the pleas of Jairus. He goes immediately from where he is, and starts heading towards the house of Jairus. We read in verse 42b…

The New International Version (1984) A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.

This gives us a picture of the size of the crowds. It also gives us a picture of the extent of the activity surrounding Jesus when he moved from one place to the other. To think that the crowds were almost crushing him in order to be around him!

This would have made progress to the house of Jairus somewhat slow. And it provides the context for the introduction of the second person in need.

Verse 43 tells us...

Luke 8:43 NIV84

43 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her.

We see a number of contrasts here between our first person - Jairus, and this lady.

Firstly, this was a woman, and Jairus was a man. Within the pervading attitude of that day, the women would have been considered less important, certainly not as highly regarded. But again, we will see in this account that Jesus treats all people equally and with compassion and concern.

Secondly, we find that this woman is not named. The man in our account was named - his name was Jairus. He was known. And I don’t say that as any criticism of the text, or of God’s revealed will. I simply say that because we do not know who this woman was precisely. But that does not minimize the attention that she receives, or the grace of God extended to her through Christ. Indeed, she is greatly blessed of God! And let us be sure, that even if we do not know her name, God most certainly does.

Thirdly, in terms of distinctions, we find that this woman has a problem in her body that would have rendered her unclean. Jairus was a ruler of the synagogue. He would have had to maintain a ceremonial cleanliness just due to his position. This lady was ceremonially unclean. She had a flow of blood.

In specific terms, according to the law of Moses, we read this concerning her condition…

Leviticus 15:25 (NIV84)

25 “ ‘When a woman has a discharge of blood for many days at a time other than her monthly period or has a discharge that continues beyond her period, she will be unclean as long as she has the discharge, just as in the days of her period.

This lady was deemed to be unclean, and as such would have been isolated. People would have distanced themselves from her. Jairus was well-respected and honoured. This lady would have been despised and disregarded.

With that in mind, we come to our second main observation from the text...

2. Miraculously Healed; Shame-Filled (vv.44-47)

The next few verses relate to us the process of the woman’s healing as she approaches Jesus, and then the events that unfold after that. Verse 44 tells us…

Luke 8:44 NIV84

44 She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

We must take note of the manner in which the lady approached Jesus. Clearly, she had made her way through a bustling crowd, but had done so in a discreet manner. She would have been in contact with the people that were pushing around Jesus. She, being unclean, which would have rendered them unclean. So clearly she would not have made her condition known. If anything, she wanted this condition of hers to remain a secret.

We see also that this lady approached Jesus from behind. She was not willing to be seen by Jesus, and certainly did not want to stop Jesus and speak to him. In all respects, she was doing what she was in a manner that was as discreet as possible.

But we must also see the level of faith that she had in Jesus’ ability to heal her. And even further than, we see not only that she had faith in Jesus ability to heal, but she honestly believed that she merely needed to touch the edge of Jesus’ garment in order for her to be healed.

The Gospel according to Mark makes it clear that this was her thinking...

Mark 5:28 NIV84

28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”

And so, here was a woman in desperate need. But here was a woman who had great faith in Christ’s ability to heal.

Also in verse 44 of our text, we find that the consequence of her action is immediate healing. There was no need for Jesus in this case to allow or permit the healing. There was no need for Christ to give his approval for the healing - it took place.

I would suggest to you that the reason for this is that God the Father, or the Holy Spirit, knew the faith of this woman in the second person of Godhead - Jesus Christ, and permitted the healing.

Irrespective of which particular person of the Godhead it was that actually performed the healing, what is clear is that the healing of this woman was instantaneous. There is immediate healing of this woman who has struggled with her infirmity for 12 years.

Keep in mind that according to our text, she had visited every physician that she could in the hope that someone would be able to heal her. According to Mark’s Gospel on this incident, she had spent every last penny available to her in the hope of someone being able to help...

What every other physician had utterly failed to do, the power of Christ was sufficient for. Where every other doctor’s interventions led only to further suffering, the Great Physician led to complete and perfect healing.

What a glorious Lord! The woman must have been overwhelmed with emotion as she realised the glorious reality of her healed state.

But that overwhelming sense of joy as a result of being suddenly healed, quickly gave way to feelings of deep anxiety and concern, as Jesus suddenly stopped, turned around (Mark 5:30), and asked the question…

“Who touched me?” (Luke 8:45).

The disciples were clearly (and very understandbly) perplexed at Christ’s sudden stopping, and more so the question that he posed. What follows is firstly a denial from all of those around Jesus. That denial from the crowd then leads to Peter speaking out, and then Christi’s response. Read with me in verse 45…

The New International Version (1984) A Dead Girl and a Sick Woman

When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”

46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

It is immediately apparent that Christ was able to distinguish from a person touching him, and a person touching him in faith in order to be healed. He knew that power had gone out from him in order to bring healing to someone. And this leads to him stopping the entire procession to the house of Jairus, and raising the question.

The response from the woman is one of great fear and concern. We read in verse 47...

Luke 8:47 NIV84

47 Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.

We see that her response was one of fear. She trembling, and fell at his feet. There are a number of possible reasons for this fear that she felt in this moment… and perhaps it was some combination of all of the possibilities...

Given her condition, the shame that she felt, the struggle that she had endured for many years, this was something that she wanted to keep secret. She also probably had a good measure of fear for having gone up to Jesus through the crowds, touching everyone while she was unclean, and so rendering others unclean.

Perhaps she was concerned that she would be rebuked by Christ. Perhaps she thought that she would be rebuked by Christ for having touched him, even while she was unclean. Surely there were a host of fears and concerns running through her mind.

Her feeling of concern and fear must surely raise the question in our own minds, why did Jesus persist in calling her out? Why was it so important to him that this person make themselves known?

There are a few important reasons.

And this leads us to consider our third main point...

3. Faith Rewarded; Faith Required (vv.48-50)

In response to the woman coming forward to confess that she was the one that had touched him, Christ says two things to her. Both statements that were made would have been a great encouragement to this woman.

Firstly, Christ commends her faith. He encourages her with the fact that her rightly directed faith has led to her healing. He says to her in verse 48, “Daughter, your faith has healed you...”

These very words would have been a great encouragement to the woman. She had indeed exercised great faith in Christ’s ability and willingness to heal. And in this instance, her faith was rewarded. But even through these words, she would have been encouraged to continue to place her faith in this man Jesus Christ.

Faith directed or placed in the wrong person is of no use. When we claim to have faith that things are going to go well at work, because we’re doing X, Y or Z, then our faith is utterly misdirected.

We must keep in mind that this lady was at an end in terms of looking for ways to be healed. She had exhausted all the possibilities that were available to her. Christ was her only hope… but she certainly believed that he could heal her. And the manner in which Christ / God rewarded this woman in this instance, was to choose to heal her.

Was God under an obligation to heal her because of her faith? Certainly not. God is not under obligation to do something just because we have faith in his ability to do it. But in this instance, it pleased him to reward this womans faith through answering her need in that moment.

In connection with this faith, another reason that Christ would have called her to confess what had happened to her, is because faith rewarded is ultimately meant to bring glory to God. Yes, there were times when Jesus healed, and asked those who were healed to not spread the news (in fact, the account of Jairus’ daughter is just such a case, as we will see).

But in this case, the woman had not even directly acknowledged Christ. She had not as yet glorfied him, or even confessed him as Lord. Christ calls upon to not only contain this faith within her, but to confess this faith, and so bring glory to Him.

Psalm 50:15 NIV84

15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.”

Ultimately, when we have experienced the grace of God in our own lives, we are to bring glory and honour to God through proclaming that which he has done. Another example of this is David in Psalm 51, where he confesses his sin with Bathsheba, and his murder of Uriah, when confronted by Nathan. He writes in Psalm 51:12-15...

Psalm 51:12–15 NIV84

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. 13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. 14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

Christ, in calling upon the person who touched him to acknowledge what happened, was bringing them to glorify and honour him as was appropriate.

But we must look further than the mere healing, and the encouragement that her faith has made her well. There was something far more significant taking place in this instance. It was something that was certainly grounded in her faith, but it went beyond her healing.

The second thing that Jesus says to the woman is this: “Go in peace...”

Now, we need to recognise that when Jesus says go in peace, he is not simply saying that he hopes she has a peaceful life going forward. He was not simply saying that she can leave his presence in that moment with a sense of peace.

Jesus is the very Son of God. He had come with a view to proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom, calling sinners to repentance so that they could have peace with God.

Certainly, there was a sense in which this lady could go in peace, knowing that she would be able to be integrated into society as a person who would not be rendered permanently unclean.

But in this instance, He is telling this woman to go in peace as a consequence of her faith placed in Him. Notice that even as he addresses her, he does so as “Daughter!” He calls her a daughter… Keep in mind our recent look at who Jesus said were his mother and brothers - those who do his will.

Well, here is his daughter!!

It was a faith that she placed in him for healing, but it was a faith rewarded not only through physical healing, but through reconciliation between her and God. The only true manner in which a person may go in peace is when they have peace with God!

Romans 5:1 NIV84

1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

Although the physical blessing to this woman was a great relief to her, and although Christ had truly worked a miracle demonstrating his only loving mercy and compassion towards her, the more significant in important dimension to this woman’s act of faith was the forgiveness of sins, and peace with God through the Lord Jesus Christ.

This was faith rewarded.

But there is also a faith required.

For the past moments in this account, the attention of the people has been frimly fixed on what has been happening with the woman, and the interactions bewteen the woman and Jesus.

Consider the thoughts that must have been racing through Jairus’ mind during these moments. He is very well aware that his daughter is literally on her death bed. He knows that she could die at any moment, and desperately wants Jesus to arrive at his house in order to heal his daughter.

Let’s bring this a little closer to home. Not so long ago, one of the young people in our church faced a particularly bad stomach problem. And we as a church felt the anxiety along with the family. And we eagerly waited for news about this young man as his parents went to a hospital to get help, and then didn’t. We felt the weight and burden of the family not getting urgent attention… at least what we felt was urgent enough attention!!

I’m certain that Jairus was becoming somewhat anxious at the distraction, and the pause in this procession of people. And it’s at this moment that the dreaded report arrives!

Luke 8:49 NIV84

49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” he said. “Don’t bother the teacher any more.”

These are the words that any parent dreads hearing - that your own child is no longer alive!! The delay in proceedings would only have made him feel worse. It’s this particular moment of crisis into which Jesus then speaks, and calls this man to faith.

Luke 8:50 NIV84

50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.”

Hear is a call by Jesus to faith. Already he had been on his way to heal the girl. Now, having received news of the death of the girl, his plans haven’t changed. His plan is still to go an help this man and his family in their time of need. And the promise of Jesus Christ to the man is that his daughter will be healed.

Now, this is not a blanket promise that can be applied to any person who wants it. We cannot take these words that were spoken to this man, and say to any person with someone in their family that’s sick and unwell, and say to them.... Well, Jesus says to you, Don’t be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed.

This is not a blanket promise. But it was a promise to this man. And he needed to take Christ at his word.

But the promises of Scripture for the believer are plentiful. And to the extent that Christ has promised us in his word, the words are applicable to us!! Don’t be afraid, Just believe!!

In the present circumstances of Jairus, to the person without faith, perhaps these words may have seemed unreasonable, irrelevant. How can you say, just believe, when someone is already dead? This was the manner of thinking of the crowd that was gathered at Jairus’ house in order to mourn the loss of the little girl. We see this as we consider our final point this morning…

4. Deep Mourning; Great Astonishment (vv.51-56)

Verse 51 tells us what happened as Jesus now arrived at Jarius house...

Luke 8:51 NIV84

51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother.

The crowd was no doubt wondering what Jesus would do, now that word had been received of the young girl’s death. But as He arrives at the house, he authoritatively dismisses the entire crowd, including most of his disciples, taking only Peter, James and John with him.

Just pause on that point. Christ had the authority to dismiss crowds. He had the power and authority to walk through the crowds of his home town that wanted to kill him… But for the most part, he allowed these crowds to follow. He was selfish in his acts of power and authority.

These three disciples that were permitted to enter are at various times the only disciples with Jesus. We don’t know all the reasons, but clearly there were things revealed and shown only to them that were not shown to the others. However, ultimately they would be called upon to reveal all that had been revealed to them. Today, we have a full revelation and understanding into these matters.

Back to the text...

As they arrived at the house, verse 52 says...

Luke 8:52 NIV84

52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. “Stop wailing,” Jesus said. “She is not dead but asleep.”

Luke 8:53 NIV84

53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.

The scene is one of chaos. The mourners and wailers were there. Some would have been friends of Jairus and his family. Some would have been the professional mourners (see Jeremiah 9:17-18).

Probably this was a larger crowd than usual, since Jairus was such a well-known and respected figure among the people.

But immediately, Jesus issues the command for them to stop wailing. And then he informs them that this little girls is not dead, but merely asleep.

The fact was the girl was dead, but Christ’s power was sufficient to raise her, and his promise was already that he would heal her. As such, their mourning and wailing was out of place.

They of course laughed at him.

Luke 8:53 NIV84

53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead.

They knew for sure that she was dead. But they lacked the faith in his power to raise and to heal.

Dear friends, this is a picture of the life of the Christian lived in faith. There will be those who are quite convinced of the inability of God to do the works that He has promised. There are those who are quite convinced that there is no God whatsoever!!

But the fact is that we are called as Christians to live our lives by faith in the promises of God, irrespective of the foolishness that others accuse us of!

Christ goes on to prove his power and authority in this instance...

Luke 8:54–55 NIV84

54 But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat.

Here is a beautiful picture of the authority and power of Jesus, but also the tenderness of Jesus. He takes hold of her hand. He speaks to her… “My child, get up!” He addressed this child in the same manner as her mother would have addressed her daily in getting her to wake up.

And immediately, her spirit returned to her. And without delay, she stood up, and started to walk around! (Mark 5:42).

But further tender care is shown by Jesus in his practical expression of love, by saying, give the child something to eat.

With this in mind, we see the response of the parents.

Luke 8:56 NIV84

56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

Consider that Jesus had told Jairus previously that he should should not be afraid, but should belief. We don’t know the extent of the faith that he exercised. Having just witnessed the account with the woman with a flow of blood, knowing that she had been miraculously healed… having seen others, heard others, he probably had some measure of faith.

But the full weight of the authority and power of Christ comes crashing home when his daughter truly awakes…

Is this not true of us when we see God answering our prayers?

Application / Conclusion

Rejoice in the Fact that God loves people of All Backgrounds

The ministry of Christ is not reserved for any particular group. He came to seek and save the lost - which includes all people from all walks of life! Jesus was eager to help a respected synagogue ruler. But he was equally willing and able to help an unclean woman that was avoided by society.

So with us in our lives, let us take courage that Christ seeks those who will trust in Him by faith, and live in obedience to him. It doesn’t matter what your background is, or what other people say about you. Christ calls All people!

Glorify God through Proclaiming His Goodness

Exercise Faith in Christ in the Present Situations of Life

Cautions… we should exercise faith in that which God has promised / is presently doing.

Christ was in the process of healing, performing miracles, particularly as evidence of His ministry at that moment in time. You will recall his words to John the Baptist through his disciples. As a demonstration of the fact that he was truly the Messiah, he spoke about the miracles that he was performing which confirmed his Messiahship.

So our faith must be exercised in accordance with the revealed purposes and working of God. Our faith is in the resurrection power of the Gospel.

Our faith is in the transformative power of the Gospel.