If Tuesday’s elections showed us anything, it’s that the people of the United States are profoundly and almost equally divided. In many of the races, the winner only gained a little over half of the vote, so even in a state like Florida which shifted rather decisively toward the Republicans, more than 40% of the people who preferred another approach to government.

And Jesus continues to cause the same kind of divisions among people. After all, Jairus was an official of the local synagogue, the place where God’s people gathered for prayer and Bible study. And by this point in Mark’s gospel, most of the religious leaders had turned against Jesus. As a result, at least some of the people in Jairus’ synagogue would have objected to their leader falling at the feet of this wandering rabbi who had made so many powerful enemies. By begging Jesus to help his daughter, Jairus thus risked causing a split in his synagogue. Perhaps he would even lose his job.

But Jairus understood what all of us need to realize: some things are just more important than popularity. His daughter meant more to him than his reputation among the other people in his synagogue. And so, even after his daughter had died, even after everyone in his house laughed at the notion that Jesus could raise her from the dead, Jairus stuck with Jesus, the only possible source of hope.

And the good news is that Jesus didn’t let Jairus down. With only a word and a touch, Jesus immediately restored life to a little girl, astounding everyone. And Jesus continues to have the power not only to free us from our doubts and fears, and not only to solve the worst of our problems. He has the power to give new life, even to those who are skeptical, even to those whose faith wavers in the face of social pressure.

And so, the One Who rose from His own grave turns to us with the same message He had for Jairus: “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” Will we trust in Him today?

Mark 5:21-24, 35-43 (NASB)

21 And when Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered about Him; and He stayed by the seashore.
22 And one of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and upon seeing Him, fell at His feet,
23 and entreated Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, that she may get well and live.”
24 And He went off with him; and a great multitude was following Him and pressing in on Him.

35 While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?”
36 But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.”
37 And He allowed no one to follow with Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James.
38 And they came to the house of the synagogue official; and He beheld a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing.
39 And entering in, He said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.”
40 And they began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was.
41 And taking the child by the hand, He said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise!”).
42 And immediately the girl rose and began to walk; for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded.
43 And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this; and He said that something should be given her to eat.