Root Out the Doubt
"And when he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father and mother of the child." Luke 8:51
"While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, 'Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?' But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, 'Do not fear, only believe.' And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly."
There is a beautiful story of a twelve-year-old girl's healing in the New Testament, having more than just a little to teach us. We find this story in two of the gospels, Mark and Luke. The father of the young girl is Jairus, a leader in the synagogue. Jairus comes to Jesus at a time when throngs of people are following Him, and he asks Jesus to heal his daughter who is sick. While Jesus is on the way to Jairus' house with all of the people pressing about Him, a woman reaches out to touch the hem of his garment and is healed. Jesus tells the woman that her faith has healed her (Luke 8:48; Mark 5:34). While Jesus is still speaking, Scripture tells us that someone came from Jairus' house to tell of his daughter's death. Notice what Mark 5:35-38 says regarding the account:
When Jesus entered Jairus' house, he questioned all the commotion. He told them that the little girl was not dead, but only sleeping. And the people laughed at Jesus.
So Jesus rooted out the doubt. He allowed only Peter, James, and John to follow Him. And Jairus' daughter was healed!
I wonder.
When you pray, do you root out the doubt? Do you ask the doubters to leave the room? It isn't rude to do this. It is one of the most loving and effective things you can possibly do.
James 5:15 tells us, "And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."
Only. Believe.
Goodnight, Runners.
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