40 DAYS in the GOSPEL Sample

FOCUS ON JESUS

“Do not fear, only believe." (Mark 5:36)

I (Josiah) have been struck many times as I see how often Jesus told people not to be afraid. I can’t speak for you, but I don’t always feel like being afraid or not is up to me! The situation or circumstance that is currently overwhelming me seems to be in charge, and if I could turn my fear off like a switch, I would.

Looking at our text, I wonder if that’s a big part of the point. This ruler of the synagogue feared for his daughter because she was so sick, and that fear drove him into action. He went and found Jesus. But the stakes suddenly got a lot higher. He is told by the crowd that his daughter has died, and suddenly the confidence that got him to Jesus is drowned out by the fear.

Life is so often like this. It seems like we have a range in which we can handle the storms and pitfalls of life, but it's when the unexpected pushes outside that circle that fear begins to paralyze. Does it have to end there? I know that it has many times in my life—not every time though. Sometimes my fear has lifted my face again to see that Jesus has promised to be there with me. I have a choice to make. We have a choice to make. In times of fear, where will we look?

The gospel is all about God’s love for us, expressed most fully in His Son Jesus Christ. That love is on full display here as Jesus pulls Jairus out of the fear that was threatening to overwhelm his belief. He was not guilt-tripping him as we might sometimes think. He was simply there at the right time, as a friend, to say, “Look back at me Jairus, and do not fear.” He is saying the same to you today no matter what you are facing. We cannot turn off our fear, but we can choose to turn our attention back to Jesus.

PRAY ABOUT IT: Right now, bring whatever fearful circumstances you have to your Father without shame. Freely admit your fear (He sees it anyway!), and ask Him to focus your attention again on His love for you in the gospel.