Fear Not! Only Believe

As this month begins, Denise and I are just finishing up a series of meetings in the United States and one in Canada! We have not been to Canada in many years, and we are thrilled about the new office we have recently opened in Vancouver! We are blessed as always to see many friends and partners who have supported us through the years and make new friendships and connections as we travel. Our upcoming travel schedule for 2027 is in its final arrangements — be sure to watch for it in future newsletters or view it on our website at renner.org/events. We sure would love to see you!

Denise and I are also celebrating 45 YEARS OF MARRIAGE this month on October 3, and I am beyond blessed for the life partner the Lord has brought to me in Denise. She is truly a virtuous woman who reflects the heart of God, and I am so thankful to have her in my life!

Before we dive into the teaching this month, I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt THANK YOU for your prayers for us and for this ministry. I thank God for those who are helping propel us forward through prayers that enable us to do this life-changing work. It is truly supernatural that we are doing what we’re doing — and your prayers and encouragement are a huge part of this miracle. I want to thank you from the depths of my heart! And if your heart is stirred to partner with us financially, please let us know by calling or going online to see more about what we do at renner.org/about/how-we-help.

I also want to remind you that my newest book The Miracles of Jesus Christ has just been released, and you can purchase it by calling us or going online. I believe God will use this book to ignite His power in your life and help you see that power work through you toward others. I am really excited about it, and I ask that you pray in agreement with me that God will use this work to bring new insights about Jesus and unleash His power for those who hunger to see it demonstrated.

BUT TODAY we will unpack the story of Jairus’ encounter with Jesus. Mark 5:22-23 records, “…Behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, and besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.”

The word “behold” in verse 22 is a translation of the Greek word idou, which carries a sense of amazement, bewilderment, wonder, or shock. This is the writer’s own sentiment concerning how amazing it was that a man of such renown and rank would come to see Jesus. Jairus’ coming to see Jesus was so shocking that the word idou was the equivalent of saying, “Wow…can you imagine it…here comes one of the rulers of the synagogue….”

Here we learn that even as a well-recognized figure in the town of Capernaum, Jairus cast aside his reputation in order to see Jesus. Upon seeing Him, Jairus dramatically “fell” at Jesus’ feet. The word “fell” is derived from the Greek word pipto, and it conveys not just a simple fall, but a wholehearted plunge, headfirst, marked by urgency and desperation. Jairus literally launched himself forward, collapsing at Christ’s feet in a fervent plea for help.

A FATHER IN DESPERATION

Stretched out before Jesus with his sacred attire strewn across the dusty ground, Jairus must have been a sight to bystanders, who surely stared in disbelief. But in deep desperation, this religious leader clung fervently to the feet of Jesus. Mark 5:23 says he “besought him greatly.” The word “besought” is from a form of the Greek word parakaleo. It means to come as near as possible to plead, pray, or passionately call for action. With nothing left to conceal his desperation, Jairus painfully exclaimed again and again, “My little daughter lieth at the point of death.”

Because Jairus would have heard that people received miraculous healings when Jesus laid His hands on them, he implored, in effect, “Come and do whatever it is that You do with Your hands so my daughter may be healed and live.” The word “healed” is derived from a form of the Greek word sodzo, which is often translated salvation in the New Testament. This encompasses more than spiritual salvation — it implies a complete transformation involving deliverance, healing, preservation, prosperity, protection, and soundness. With this mindset, Jairus knew that if sodzo was released into his daughter, she would live, flourishing and thriving in every part of her being.

In response to this, Mark 5:24 tells us, “And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.” Here the original Greek pictures Jesus caught in the midst of a throng of people that were pressing upon Him and jostling Him in their midst. In fact, they so completely trapped Him that they impeded His journey with Jairus to reach his dying daughter in her final moments.

THE CIRCUMSTANCES WENT FROM BAD TO WORSE

Mark 5:35 says, “While he [Jesus] yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?” The word “dead” is from a form of the Greek word apothnesko and literally refers to one who has just exhaled his or her final breath and departed this life. Hence, these messengers told Jairus that it was no longer necessary to continue troubling Jesus about his daughter.

But Mark 5:36 says, “As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.” The word “heard” is translated from a form of the Greek word parakouo, which pictures someone who is close enough to overhear a private discussion. Jairus’ household aimed to discreetly communicate with him without disrupting Jesus, but the Greek word parakouo reveals that Jesus overheard their words.

This reminds us of Hebrews 4:13, which says, “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” The event of Jairus’ servants privately whispering to him — and Jesus overhearing it — serves as a reminder that absolutely nothing escapes Jesus’ attention. Jesus hears it all! And what He said to Jairus — “be not afraid, only believe” — should encourage those who are facing impossible circumstances today and are looking to the Lord in faith for intervention and instruction.

Then Mark 5:37 says, “And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.” Verse 38 then says, “And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.” When Jesus arrived, He saw a dramatic, emotional performance by professional mourners — customary in that day — who were engaged in a theatrical display of sorrow. In essence, these mourners were actors who, although they did not personally know the deceased, were hired to weep and wail until emotional grief completely engulfed those present.

So when Jesus and Jairus arrived at the house and were greeted with this scene, Mark 5:39 says, “And when he [Jesus] was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.” Jesus made a definitive statement that the girl was dead, but merely “sleepeth.” The word “sleepeth” is rooted in the Greek word katheudo, which means to sleep or slumber, but it can also metaphorically refer to one who has passed away.

The reaction of the crowd shows that they were firmly convinced of her death and laughed at Jesus’ suggestion that she was simply sleeping. What they did not comprehend was that Jesus was declaring it was no harder for Him to raise the dead than for a parent to wake a child from a deep sleep. And Mark 5:40 says the mourners “…laughed him to scorn.” These words are interpreted from a form of the Greek word katagelao. In this context, it signifies mocking laughter aimed at belittling someone.

Mark 5:40 additionally reveals that this faithless reaction to Jesus prompted Him to request their removal. Jesus had the skeptics and nonbelievers forcibly removed from the room. This illustrates how in critical moments where faith can make a difference, it can become necessary in a kind but firm manner to clear the room of doubt and disbelief.

ONLY FAITH REMAINED — AND PREVAILED!

Mark 5:41 then tells us, “And he [Jesus] took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.” The word “took” finds its significant roots in a variation of the Greek word kratos, which gives the image of a mighty and unwavering grasp. This leaves no doubt that Jesus firmly seized her hand as He imparted resurrection power into her dead body. The word “arise” comes from the Greek word egeiro, meaning to rise, stand, awake, or be resurrected — but the direct form of this word, as used here, emphasizes that Jesus directly and authoritatively commanded the young girl to rise from the clutches of death.

Mark 5:42 says, “And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.” The Greek word for “straightway” means that immediately or instantly, she “arose” and “walked.” The word “walked” is interpreted from a form of the Greek word peripateo. Because this word means to walk around, it implies that the girl stood up and began to walk around the room, moving around the circle to greet her parents, Jesus, and the disciples, who were all present at the moment of her resurrection.

To underscore their state of bewilderment at the unfolding scene, Mark 5:42 notes that they were struck with a “great astonishment.” As a phrase, the original Greek paints a picture of them being profoundly and thoroughly dumbfounded. They were stunned at witnessing the miraculous sight of this dead girl suddenly sitting up, standing, and then walking around to greet each of them.

Mark 5:43 concludes with Jesus saying that “something should be given her to eat.” It is important to remember that the young girl was frail from the toll the illness had taken on her tiny form. After Jesus raised her from the dead, He wisely requested that food be provided to nourish her back to health.

Notice that when Jairus initially received the news of his daughter’s death, Jesus told him, “…Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36). In moments of fear, we, too, must importantly push fear aside and stay in faith — and such a decision to stay in faith plays a part in our ability to receive. So whatever you are facing today — rebuke fear, stay in faith, and let Jesus’ power flow into your situation!

Today if you are facing a need and want someone to pray with you about it, please reach out to us by calling 1-800-742-5593 or send an email to prayer@renner.org. We will join our faith with yours, and Jesus will do whatever needs to be done. And we assure you that whatever you share will be prayed for scripturally, confidently, and confidentially.

And as I always request, please pray for Denise and me, our family, and our team. We take God’s calling on our ministry very seriously, and that is why we appreciate your prayers that help us accomplish this massive undertaking. Together we are making a difference in people’s lives!

We love you and thank God for you!

We are your brother and sister, friends, and partners in Jesus,

Rick and Denise Renner
along with Paul, Philip, and Joel, their families, and our ministry team