When Problems Seem Unsolvable

It didn’t seem to matter that Jesus Himself who was speaking. It didn’t matter that they had seen Him perform miracles, even moments earlier when He healed a woman who had suffered with hemorrhaging for twelve years.

As He was on His way to pray for the daughter of Jairus, a religious leader, a messenger informed them that the girl had died. This seemed to have ended the matter. But Jesus insisted on continuing the journey. Reassuring them that there still was hope, He declared, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.”

But they were not encouraged. In fact, they “ridiculed” Him (using a Greek word only used in the Bible here and in the parallel passages in Matthew and Luke). This word indicates that the people around Jesus did not just doubt Him. They were so certain that they found His comments laughable.

Jesus was not deterred by their unbelief. But He did ask these doubters to leave the room: He “put them all outside.” Taking the girl by the hand, He simply said, “Little girl, arise.” Instantly, her spirit returned. The miracle that they thought was laughable had taken place.

Jesus was showing us how to approach problems for which there seem to be no solutions. When we “know” that there is no possible answer. When we can think of nothing that will make a difference. When we face situations when faith seems laughable and the outcome seems certain.

In these moments, we need to remember Jesus’ words: “Do not be afraid; only believe.” This is true in the practical issues in our daily lives but also with problems that seem monumental. When it seems “laughable” that solutions are possible. In these moments, we need to focus on not what we think we “know.” Instead, we need to focus on Jesus. To believe that all things are possible.