Victorious Life

Mark 5:22-23 (NKJV)
And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.”

Have you ever been frustrated by the smallness of your faith? Have you ever been frustrated by the smallness of a loved one’s faith? I have to admit that I have on both accounts. But one day, the Lord showed me something precious in His Word and I wish to share that with you today.

In Mark chapter 5, Jesus had just returned from the region of the Gadarenes where he had ministered deliverance to the man with the legion of demons. As Jesus steps off the boat, a man by the name of Jairus comes to Him in a highly agitated state. He falls at the feet of Jesus and begs Him earnestly for the life of his daughter. I want you to pay close attention to Jairus’ request. He specifically asks Jesus to “come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and live.”

Just about that time the Bible tells us that a woman that “had a flow of blood for twelve years” heard that Jesus was in town. She comes behind Him, pushing her way through the crowd, desperate to get to Him and do ONE thing-to touch His garment. Why on earth would she do that? Because she repeatedly (the Greek tense indicates this) said to herself, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”

So far, we have two people; one says, “Come and lay Your hands on her,” the other says, “If only I may touch His clothes.” Now let’s take a parenthetical break and see a third person. This man is a Roman Centurion. He is not even a descendant of Abraham. In Matthew chapter 8 we read that this Centurion had a servant that was “lying at home paralyzed, [and] dreadfully tormented. ”

Jesus tells the Centurion, “I will come and heal him.” But the Centurion tells Jesus that he is not worthy to have Jesus come under his roof. Then he makes an unusual request, “Only speak a word, and my servant will be healed.” The Bible tells us that Jesus absolutely marvelled at the kind of faith this Roman showed. Of course, He spoke the word and the servant was healed.

Now let me share what the Lord revealed to me through these three people. Of course, the Centurion’s faith was amazing! “Only speak a word,” he said, and he had faith to believe that Jesus could heal this way. But, when I put him side by side with the woman that had the flow of blood and with Jairus, there is one thing that stands out to me. Jesus met each one at their point of faith without condemning any for their smallness of faith. Imagine if after meeting the Centurion, Jesus went around rebuking people that wanted Him to lay His hands on them. “O you of little faith, haven’t you heard, I healed the Centurion’s servant WITHOUT having to lay hands on him. Why can’t you have that kind of faith.”

Of course Jesus did not and would never do that. So don’t condemn yourself for smallness of faith. Don’t condemn a loved one if their faith is not at strong as yours. The truth is you cannot believe the Lord at the level of someone else’s faith anymore than David could fight Goliath in Saul’s armor.

In practical terms, where the rubber meets the road in my life, what does this mean? Well, we have all read books or heard testimonies of people that have believed God and received amazing results. Have you ever tried to do what they did only to fall flat on your face? I sure have! So, whether it’s a family situation, a physical healing need or a financial problem, get with the Lord through His Word. Find out what you can believe Him for, and do it, at your level of faith. You know what I think? I believe that after a few victories you’ll see your faith grow to levels you never thought possible.

You want your faith to grow; the Lord wants your faith to grow. As far as I’m concerned, that’s a winning combination!

Filed under: Faith