“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?” ³⁶ Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” ³⁷ He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. ³⁸ When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly.³⁹ He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” ⁴⁰ But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. ⁴¹ He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). ⁴² Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old).” Mark 5:35-42

Jesus says, “Do not fear, only believe…” when he hears of the death of Jairus’ daughter. We know that fear can make us do irrational things. Fear can even keep us from doing anything at all. What is it in your faith life that scares you, that takes you to the point of unbelief? Over the years, I have listened to many people speak of the trouble they have experienced in their faith lives when they have experienced the loss of a loved one. “How could G-d allow this to happen?” they say. “Why didn’t G-d intervene?” they cry out.

This story is for us, among other things, an assurance that G-d hears our cries, G-d is with us in the tragedies of our lives, and that G-d promises life for those who believe that Jesus can give us new life. We may not get what we want (so says the song writer) but G-d gives us what we need. And what we need most is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  

Pastor Dave

 “If your gift for a burnt offering is from the flock, from the sheep or goats, your offering shall be a male without blemish. ¹¹ It shall be slaughtered on the north side of the altar before the Lord, and Aaron’s sons the priests shall dash its blood against all sides of the altar. ¹² It shall be cut up into its parts, with its head and its suet, and the priest shall arrange them on the wood that is on the fire on the altar; ¹³ but the entrails and the legs shall be washed with water. Then the priest shall offer the whole and turn it into smoke on the altar; it is a burnt offering, an offering by fire of pleasing odor to the Lord.” Leviticus 1:10-13

The text from Leviticus talks about different types of offerings – but one common theme you will notice is that the offering shall be without blemish – a bull without blemish, a lamb without blemish, etc. Isn’t it just like humanity, that when we are to give something up, if we have a choice, we will tend not to give up our best things, but give up something that is “second-hand”, or not our favorite, or not our best quality. When we offer items to the local collection center, or even to our own ministries, how many times do we go to the “Dollar Store” or some other discount store rather than our usual stores. G-d knows the heart of humanity, the need we have to keep what is the best for ourselves, to hoard what we most prize and cherish, not to give up the “first fruits”. G-d established for us our first stewardship plan, we are to give to G-d not what is left, but what is right – not just anything, but our best things – not just any effort, but our best effort.  And this is not works righteousness, but it is what works for G-d.

Pastor Dave