Mark 5:36 …Only believe.
The first Bible story I remember reading as a child was the story of Jairus’ daughter. Here we have the original version of that in Mark 5. It goes like this: “And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him [Jesus], he fell at his feet, and besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse… came…and touched his garment.” Jesus, seeing her faith, healed her. Verse 34 says, “And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.”
What a wonderful story about Jairus’ daughter! Oh, wait. This wasn’t Jairus’ daughter; it was an unnamed woman. She cut in line! She delayed Jesus’ going to help the very urgent need of a twelve-year-old girl. Verse 35 says, “While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further.”
If I were Jairus, I would be very put out and downright angry with this woman. Here she is cutting in line. Jairus’ daughter had been alive for twelve years, and this woman had had an issue for twelve years. Another day would not have hurt this woman. Her need was bad, but it wasn’t urgent. She cut in line, delayed Jesus, and Jairus’ daughter is now dead.
The end of the story says, “And straightaway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years.” Jesus healed Jairus’ daughter, as well! The wonderful truth we can take from this is that the Lord’s grace is unlimited.
In an economy of supply and demand things are more valuable because they are more scarce, but not with Jesus. It is not as though if He helps one person He is not going to help you, that if one person is blessed, you are going to be in poverty. No, there is no hierarchy. Jairus was a leader of the synagogue and this woman was just an unnamed woman, yet Jesus cared for both of them. Jesus is not too busy for you and the world. He is not distracted from you because of the world. He is not too late.
So, don’t forget about other people. My needs can be my world and cause me to not think about anyone else, but that doesn’t happen to God. The Lord Jesus has the ability to think about me and everyone else at the same time; I don’t. So, I need to be reminded not to forget other people.
Also, don’t begrudge other people. It is easy to hear prayer requests and feel they are frivolous while your gizzard is being gnawed out by some big problem you have. You feel impatient and think, “We don’t have time for this!” But God does. The prayer of a child is no smaller to God than your prayer. Your prayer is no smaller to God than something even greater.
Lastly, don’t be impatient. Both Jairus’ daughter and this woman were healed straightway, lickety-split, the shortest route between two points. Even when Jesus delays He is still the Master of timing.
Ultimately, as Jesus says in verse 36, “Be not afraid, only believe.” Why? It is because the Lord’s grace is unlimited.