One of my favorite stories in the Bible is found in Mark 5:21-43. I relate to this story on such a deep level. It’s a story of heartbreak, faithfulness, boldness, hopefulness, and the idea of inviting Jesus into your life for healing.
To paraphrase, Jarius, one of the rulers of the synagogue, goes to Jesus for help. His daughter is dying, and the anguish Jarius feels is indescribable. It’s a scenario many of us would struggle to fully comprehend. As Jarius approaches Jesus, we see him fall at Jesus’ feet, imploring him to return home with him and save his daughter. Jesus’ response is “Yes.” Can you imagine the intense emotions that overcame Jarius knowing Jesus, the ultimate healer, was coming to help? Can you imagine being as bold as Jarius, and turning everything over to the one who can heal?
Jarius went from despair to hope.
Jesus begins his journey to Jarius’ home. However, it wasn’t quick or instant. The request was made. The response was given, but there was a delay. Jesus was surrounded by a large crowd of people, essentially slowing down the pace in which he could reach his ultimate destination. A woman in the crowd in need of healing will touch him. A conversation will ensue, and then she too will fall at the feet of Jesus. It’s important to note that this posture of surrender, which we see throughout the Gospels, often produces blessings, wisdom, comfort, peace, forgiveness, love, joy, and many other blessings. In the case of this woman, she was healed and comforted for her years of sickness and loneliness.
This posture of surrender, which we see throughout the Gospels, often produces blessings, wisdom, comfort, peace, forgiveness, love, joy, and many other blessings.
It is during this delay that Jarius is told that his daughter had died. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore,” the people will say. Jesus, hearing this, tells Jarius, “Do not fear, only believe.” I find that it’s these same five words Jesus often speaks to me. Jesus is simply asking Jarius to believe Him over the facts and the words of others.
What bold faith Jarius displayed. He believed. He had faith, and that faith allowed Jesus to enter the room where his daughter laid. It was his faith that enabled Jesus to heal his daughter.
There are times I felt like Jarius and his daughter. I, like Jarius, fell at the feet of Jesus. I asked for His help, and the Lord replied, “YES, Caleb!” But, just like in Jarius’ case, an instant healing did not take place.
It was a process.
It was a journey.
A journey the Lord and I took together.
Still, as I reached the door to the room, where true transformation takes place, I was hesitant to open the door. The part of me that needed healing, like the daughter, was laying on the bed. I needed Jesus in the room to perform the miracle, but I had not fully invited him in. Why, I wonder?
My journey to healing has been rewarding. I have gone from despair to hope, and felt love and direction. But walking the path to healing is only a piece of the process. Jesus must be invited into the room to lay hands upon us to perform the transformation, the miracle for us to be made whole again. It’s the faith behind the invitation that provides surrender and gives Jesus control of our hearts.
It’s the faith behind the invitation that provides surrender and gives Jesus control of our hearts.
Have you let Jesus in the room? The room of your heart, mind, and soul. The room where healing can take place from anxiety, fear, depression, lostness, pain, and so many more. An invitation is the first step to healing. Without it, you limit Jesus’ healing power in your life.
When Jesus and Jarius arrive at the house, there is a crowd of people who do not believe a miracle will take place. They are too busy weeping and wailing in their grief that their faith was replaced by their emotions. Jesus actually kicked these people out of the house because of their disbelief. But Jarius, stood boldly in his faith. He did not allow the crowd, or his emotions, to sway his faith. Jarius did not weep and wail or mock the Savior, because he KNEW what Jesus can do.
Have you let Jesus in the room?
There are times where we need to act like Jesus and kick the naysayers out. Those who weep and wail. Whose faith is weak and can negatively influence us. Jesus has declared what is going to take place, yet they do not believe. Do you have people in your life who are distracting you and influencing you from allowing Jesus to enter the room? Are you too busy “weeping and wailing” that your emotions are doing the driving instead of your faith? What is keeping you from asking Jesus for help? What is keeping you from inviting Jesus into the room?
Are you too busy “weeping and wailing” that your emotions are doing the driving instead of your faith?
Oh, how Jarius has been patient up to this point. The journey to Jesus. His heartbreaking plea for help. Jesus’ loving hopeful reply. The journey back to his daughter. The delay in healing another. The continued journey back to his daughter. Here he was, with Jesus; his wife; and a couple disciples, standing outside his daughter’s room. The moment he’s been waiting for was here.
They enter the room. I can hear Jarius’ heart beating as loud and as fast as the snare drums playing in unison on a drumline. He had to be experiencing an intense level of emotions as he looked at his daughter’s motionless body for the first time. Yet, he remained steadfast in his faith. He continued to trust what Jesus said at the beginning of their journey, “do not fear; just believe.” Jesus took the girl’s hand and spoke, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” Jarius’ daughter was healed, and her journey to healing all started due to an invitation to Jesus from her Dad.
Jarius’ daughter was healed, and her journey to healing all started due to an invitation to Jesus from her Dad.
Inviting Jesus into my room was the last phase of my journey to living my God-given purpose. I was lying on that bed, but the door was closed. Jesus and I were standing outside, and I thought, “I’m good!” but oh how I was wrong. The road to transformation is different than full transformation. I needed Jesus to fully enter my room, my heart, mind and soul. I needed to believe His plan for my life, not my plan for my life. I needed to boldly stand in my purpose and take the steps He was calling me to. I needed to say “Yes!” I needed to fully surrender.
The power of inviting Jesus into the room will shape your destiny and ministry of your life. It’s not just saying, “Jesus, I need help.” It’s saying “I trust you regardless of the circumstances. I trust you over the naysayers. I trust you during the long journey.” And it’s opening the door when he’s there waiting and knocking.
The power of inviting Jesus into the room will shape your destiny and ministry of your life.
Many people start the process of transformation, but only some complete the journey. Why? Transformation is a process. It is not easy. It is not quick. There are many steps along the way. Faith will be tested. Naysayers will pop in and out. Yet, Jesus will constantly remind you, “do not fear; just believe.”
If I hadn’t let Jesus in the room I would still be doubting my purpose. I would still be struggling with low-self esteem and questioning my gifting. If I didn’t invite Jesus into my room to fully transform my heart and renew my spirit, I wouldn’t have been able to boldly walk away from what was familiar and to faithfully walk into a new God inspired ministry of GTS Life.
God is calling all of us to respond like Jarius: 1. To ask for Jesus’ help 2. To boldly believe Jesus’ words, “do not fear; just believe” 3. To ignore the naysayers 4. To allow faith to lead our actions and emotions 5. To invite Jesus into the room
God has a plan for you. Today, tomorrow, two months from now, five years from today.
The question is: Will you remain the same or will you allow God to heal and transform you so you can fulfill your God-given purpose?
Your friend,
Caleb Elrod
Let's Grow, Thrive, and Serve TOGETHER!
Mark 21-43 reads,
“And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” 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?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 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. But he put them all outside and 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.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.”