From Doubt to Life: The Dance of Faith – Mark 5 v 35-43

Verse 35: “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?'”

Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, has just poured his heart out to Jesus, urgently pleading for his dying daughter. But before Jesus could even respond, the news hits. “Your daughter is dead.” It’s like a punch in the gut, a wave of despair crashing in.

Verse 36: “But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, ‘Do not fear, only believe.'”

Now, Jesus, being the ultimate source of hope, overhears the crushing news and responds with these powerful words: “Do not fear, only believe.” Can you feel the shift? In the face of death, Jesus is calling for faith.

Verse 37: “And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James.”

Here’s the interesting part—Jesus doesn’t allow the whole crowd to follow him. He takes only a select few: Peter, James, and John. He’s creating an intimate circle, a space where faith can flourish without the noise of doubt.

Verse 38-40: “They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, ‘Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.’ And they laughed at him.”

People are wailing and mourning, expressing the finality of death. But Jesus, the bringer of life, walks in and says something that sounds crazy to them: “The child is not dead but sleeping.” And what’s the response? Laughter. Mockery. Doubt.

Verse 41-42: “But putting them all outside, he took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, ‘Talitha cumi,’ which means, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise.'”

Jesus, unfazed by the doubt around him, takes action. He clears the doubters out, leaving only those who will witness the miracle. He takes the girl by the hand and speaks life into her—literally saying, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Can you imagine the suspense in that room?

Verse 43: “And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.”

And then, it happens! Just like that, the girl, declared dead, gets up and starts walking. It’s a miracle unfolding before their eyes. The doubt is replaced with amazement.

Jairus starts with a plea for his dying daughter, but doubt creeps in with the news of her death. Jesus interrupts the dance, calling for faith instead of fear. Jesus limits the crowd, creating a space where doubt doesn’t drown out faith. Sometimes, you need a faith-filled environment to witness miracles. People laugh when Jesus speaks life into death. Doubt can be loud, mocking, and contagious. But Jesus doesn’t let it dictate the narrative. Jesus takes action despite the doubt around him. He clears the doubt, takes the girl’s hand, and speaks life into a seemingly dead situation. The moment Jesus speaks, life is restored. The girl rises immediately, defying the expected process of mourning and death. The doubt that once echoed in the room is replaced with amazement. Sometimes, all it takes is witnessing a miracle to silence doubt.

We might find ourselves in the dance of doubt and faith. In those moments, Jesus is calling us to lean into faith and not be consumed by fear. Create spaces where doubt doesn’t drown out faith. Surround yourself with people who believe in the miraculous, even when it seems crazy.

Jesus doesn’t let mockery dictate the narrative. Speak life into situations, even when doubt laughs. Your faith can be louder than the doubt around you. Take action in the face of doubt. Jesus didn’t hesitate; he acted. Sometimes, the boldest step is the first step of faith.

Miracles can happen in an instant. Don’t be bound by the expected process; trust in the power of immediate resurrection. Witnessing miracles can replace doubt with amazement. Keep your eyes open to the miraculous, and let it silence the laughter of doubt.