Lent: With One VoiceSample

DON’T BE AFRAID; JUST BELIEVE.

One version of the New International Version of the Bible that I use adds ‘titles’ to sections of the Gospel stories. Mostly they are helpful. The title they give to this section is ‘A dead girl and a sick woman’. This does not encourage faith as we come to this passage of scripture! Power to heal and save is located in the person of Jesus. Jairus does not let status or honour stop him begging Jesus for the gift of healing. The woman comes to Jesus as a ‘last resort’ and a secret desperate grab at His cloak opens the door to her healing and subsequent salvation as she tells her sad story in full to Jesus. Jesus calls us to overcome the fear that blinds us to what He is doing. Now we can see the story is about ‘a girl raised from the dead and a woman healed’.

FOR REFLECTION
• What holds you back from trusting God? What are the areas of your life where fear or unbelief hinders you in your discipleship?
• It is not enough for Jesus to be ‘used’ to provide physical healing alone. How can you appreciate more fully the wonder of the salvation He brings?
• What desperate needs could you bring to Jesus today?

PRAYER
Gracious God, You call us to fullness of life. Deliver us from unbelief and banish our anxieties with the liberating love of Jesus Christ our Lord.