While he was still talking, some people came from the leader’s house and told him, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?” Jesus overheard what they were talking about and said to the leader, “Don’t listen to them; just trust me.” (Mark 5: 35-36 MSG)
I love this story in Mark’s gospel. It serves as such an encouragement to Christ followers. You know why? We are surrounded by naysayers. Yup, you know the type. The sky is falling. The end is nigh. Nothing will come of this.
These people certainly aren’t “glass is half full” folks. Hang around them long enough and you can start frowning, twitching, and being gloomy about even strawberry shortcake. “Ah, I’m going to get seeds in my teeth” or “That whipped cream is far too light.” I think you get the picture.
So flash backward to this beautiful story in the Gospels. Jairus, a known leader, approaches Jesus reverently, requesting him to heal his twelve-year-old daughter. Another seeking healing, a woman, stops Jesus and the crowd with him on the way to Jairus’s house, and so they are delayed. And then folks from Jairus’ hometown show up and say, “Why bother?” Jesus overhears them saying that the child is dead.
And so he speaks: “Don’t listen to them!” Oh what wisdom. What insight. How many babbling voices are filling our heads each day? Maybe someone is discouraging you about the future. Someone tells you aren’t likely to get that job you applied for. Politicians are shouting over one another about the different ways the world is falling apart and how they’re the only one who can fix it. But Jesus is today telling us, “Don’t listen to them. Trust me.” It’s simple. We can get so caught up and stressed out by all the words flying around us. And Jesus is the truth and the calm in the midst of the noise. Awesome, right?
As disciples of the Master we should heed his command. Let’s stop listening to nonsense and tripe. Isn’t it time to simply start trusting Jesus?
By NavPress Publisher Don Pape
