“While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. ‘Your daughter is dead,’ they said. ‘Why bother the teacher anymore?’ Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe’ ” (Mark 5:35-36).

Jairus had come to Jesus on behalf of his daughter, who was very ill. There was an unplanned delay as Jesus was going to heal his daughter. The woman had touched Jesus’ garment and was healed. Then Jesus paused to minister to her.

The complication for the father was that during Jesus’ delay the daughter died. That would have been a difficult moment for any of us. Jairus knew that Jesus could heal and that’s why he had come to get Jesus. Death, though, took the crisis to another level. Healing is one thing but raising the dead is another kind of problem.

Sure enough, the friends of Jairus told him to give up hope. The daughter had died. Jesus gave advice to Jairus which is good advice for any of us in any situation. “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Even if our situation turns out to be more complicated than we thought don’t give up on God. He raised Jairus’ daughter from the dead and showed that His power extends beyond any limitation we may put on Him.