Luke 8:40-56 "Only Believe"

48 And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."

50 But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well."

This famous passage combines two powerful stories: Jesus raising the daughter of Jairus, the synagogue leader, and healing the woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years.

The common thread between these two stories is faith. Scripture tells us that through faith we are justified and saved. This salvation extends beyond the spiritual realm to deliver us from various sufferings and hardships in this world. The Bible bears witness to this truth.

The woman who had spent all her resources on medical treatments during twelve years of hemorrhaging was healed through her faith. The twelve-year-old daughter of Jairus was brought back from death.

Jesus told the woman that her faith had saved her, and He instructed Jairus not to fear but only to believe, promising that his daughter would be saved.

Everything happened just as Jesus said. It unfolded according to their faith. They all received salvation through faith.

Though Jesus possessed the power as the Son of God, there was no objective evidence to prove it. No certificate from the temple, no endorsement from legal scholars—no official recognition whatsoever. Today, we call Jesus the Son of God because we believe it. Without faith, the story of Jesus would be merely an ancient tale.

Jesus says, "Only believe." The woman who simply believed, and the daughter of the synagogue leader, both received salvation.

Prayer: Gracious God, it seems so simple that we need only believe to receive salvation. Yet this is profoundly difficult. If only we could see and touch, if only these miracles happened commonly around us today, belief would come more easily. Lord, help Jesus' words—"Do not fear, only believe"—become reality in my daily life. Holy Spirit, make me strong and courageous. Amen.