While He was still speaking, some people came from the synagogue official’s house saying [to Jarius], “Your daughter has died; why bother the Teacher any longer?” Overhearing what was being said, Jesus said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid; only keep on believing [in Me and my power].”

- Mark 5:35-36 AMP

In Mark chapter 5, we are introduced to Jarius, a synagogue official who desperately made his way through the multitude that surrounded Jesus and prostrated himself before the Lord, pleading Him to heal his daughter who was dying.

Now, there’s no mention of Jesus replying or saying “Yes, I will” or “Go in faith your daughter is healed”, rather it says, “and Jesus went with him”. His response was silent at the time of Jarius’ plea.

It wasn’t until 10 scriptures down that Jesus finally arrives to Jarius’ home, but he didn’t heal the child for she was already dead. Instead, he brought new life into her body and traded healing for the miracle of resurrection.

The same miracle people advised “why bother”, the same miracle that in all appearances and evidence was dead was the same miracle Jarius held on to.

But God did what only God can do… immeasurably more than what Jarius could ask or imagine.

Only God can resurrect a miracle that seems impossible…a hope…a prayer from death to life and say “she was only asleep”.

But, before Jarius received his miracle, he watched and waited while Jesus was pursued by the crowd and performed a miracle on someone else.

Can you imagine what was going through Jarius’ mind and heart at that time? Was he anxious? Was he afraid? Could he have felt angry, “How could Jesus stop to heal this woman? Did he not hear me! My daughter is dying!” Was he losing hope because he was losing time?

Jarius was stuck in the middle…between his mess and his miracle.

What would you do in the middle?

From the time Jarius made his plea known to Jesus, we don’t read anything more coming from him in the following scriptures.

That can imply that he remained silent...watching and waiting.

I believe that Jarius’ love for his daughter, his desperation and his faith in Jesus helped him remain focused and steadfast despite how he felt; in spite of it appearing as if his “mess” was less significant than those in the crowd; in spite of it seeming as if Jesus’ attention was no longer on him; in spite of the whispers around him; in spite of the silence.

What strikes me is when Jesus finally speaks Jarius, “don’t be afraid; KEEP on believing”.

That was the key. Jarius never stopped believing or else Jesus may have said instead “just believe”.

At this point, there was still no miracle yet, but Jesus gave him a word and spoke to the faith and trust Jarius was holding on to. In spite of the silence in the middle Jarius remained close to Jesus.

“KEEP ON BELIEVING IN ME AND MY POWER!”

Do you have a miracle you’ve been praying for? Is there a dream or hope that looks impossible or has slowly died over time?

That prayer that has you prostrated before the Lord; that thing that brings you to your knees, tears saturating the ground beneath you as you struggle to utter the words with every breath just as painful as the next?

Like Jarius, are you waiting and watching from the middle of your mess and miracle? I am.

Some days I can remain focused and steadfast on the word and God’s promises; even in those intimate moments of revelation with the Holy Spirit but then I have those days when I’m questioning while I’m watching and waiting in the middle of my mess…in the middle of the silence.

It’s when I question what I thought I knew, what I thought I heard, what I believed was for me.

When I convince myself that it was all just an emotional response coming from the tunnels of desperation for affirmation and confirmation for a word...an answer I longed for. But thank God for the Holy Spirit who gives discernment and guides us and reveals all Truths!

Prayer,
Here I am Lord with the very things I hold dearly; waiting on the sidelines…feeling alone, different, many times forgotten and even ashamed. I wait and watch to finally stand in the joy of my miracle moment rather than live in all the moments of everyone else. Lord, you can do immeasurably more than what I can ask, think, imagine or pray. I will KEEP BELIEVING in YOU and your power. Here I am Lord.

With Love,
Jasmine Marrero

Scripture

“While He was still speaking, some people came from the synagogue official’s house, saying [to Jairus], ‘Your daughter has died; why bother the Teacher anymore?’

Overhearing what was being said, Jesus said to the synagogue official, ‘Do not be afraid, only keep on believing [in Me and in My power].’”
— Mark 5:35–36 (AMP)

Context & Meaning: Faith in the Face of Final News

This moment comes in the middle of urgency.

Jairus, a synagogue leader, had come to Jesus desperate. His daughter was dying. Jesus agreed to go with him. But along the way, He paused to heal the woman with the issue of blood.

While Jesus was still speaking to her, devastating news arrived:

“Your daughter has died.”

To Jairus, it must have felt like the delay had cost him everything.

And then comes one of the most tender commands in Scripture:

“Do not be afraid, only keep on believing.”

The Amplified Bible adds depth:

“Only keep on believing [in Me and in My power].”

This is not generic optimism.
It is relational faith.

Jesus does not say, “Believe harder.”
He says, “Believe in Me.”

Faith is not confidence in an outcome.
It is confidence in a Person.

And that difference changes your relationship with God.

When Faith Feels Interrupted

There are seasons when your prayers feel urgent.

You ask for healing.
You ask for restoration.
You ask for breakthrough.

And then something happens that feels like a setback.

A door closes.
A diagnosis changes.
An opportunity fades.
Silence stretches longer than expected.

In those moments, it can feel like hope expired.

Jairus likely felt that.

But Jesus did not allow the final word to belong to the messengers of despair.

He redirected Jairus’ focus:

Do not be afraid.

Only keep believing.

Relationship with God is tested most deeply in delay and disruption.

 

Use This in Your Personalized Scripture Journal

This passage invites you into deeper trust — not theoretical belief, but relational dependence.

Open your Personalized Scripture Journal and bring your “delayed prayers” before Him.

Step 1: Name Your Fear

Write honestly:

What situation feels beyond repair?

Where has disappointment weakened my faith?

Have I allowed fear to speak louder than Jesus?

What “final news” am I struggling to accept?

Do I believe Jesus is still present in this?

Do not sanitize your response.

Faith grows where honesty exists.

Step 2: Rewrite the Command Personally

Write:

“Do not be afraid. Only keep on believing in Me.”

Now personalize it:

“Even here, Lord, I choose to trust You.”

Read it slowly.

Let it settle into your spirit.

Step 3: Turn Anxiety into Conversation

Write a prayer that includes:

Your disappointment

Your fear

Your confusion

Your desire to trust

Ask Him to strengthen your faith in His character — not just in your desired outcome.

This is where journaling becomes intimacy.

Step 4: Identify One Step of Continued Faith

Faith in relationship looks like:

Continuing to pray

Choosing peace over panic

Speaking trust aloud

Refusing to let fear dominate your thoughts

Choose one act of quiet confidence today.

Small acts of trust build deep intimacy.

Step 5: Practice Relational Belief

The Amplified clarifies:

“Believe in Me and in My power.”

Faith is not abstract belief. It is confidence in who Jesus is.

Ask yourself:

Do I trust His heart?

Do I trust His wisdom?

Do I trust His timing?

Belief strengthens relationship when it is anchored in His character.

How This Builds a Personal Relationship with God

Fear creates distance.

Trust creates closeness.

When fear dominates, you withdraw.
When trust grows, you draw near.

Mark 5:36 teaches that faith is relational endurance.

Not dramatic.
Not loud.
Just steady.

“Only keep on believing.”

When you continue to trust Him in uncertainty, intimacy deepens.

Because relationship grows strongest when it survives difficulty.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Mark 5:35–36 mean?
It shows Jesus encouraging Jairus to maintain faith even after devastating news.

Why does Jesus tell him not to be afraid?
Because fear shifts focus from God’s power to circumstances.

What does “keep on believing” mean?
It implies ongoing trust, not momentary faith.

Does this passage promise every outcome will change?
No. It promises that faith in Christ remains secure even when circumstances are uncertain.

How can I keep believing when I feel discouraged?
By returning to Scripture, praying honestly, and recalling God’s past faithfulness.

How does journaling deepen faith?
Writing strengthens intentional trust and helps process fear relationally.

Living with Steady Faith

There will be moments when hope feels fragile.

But Jesus still speaks:

“Do not be afraid.”

And He does not point you to results.

He points you to Himself.

The more you believe in who He is,
the more secure your relationship becomes.

Faith is not about controlling outcomes.

It is about walking closely with Him in uncertainty.

And walking closely with Him is the goal.