What role does faith play in witnessing miracles like in Luke 8:55? Setting the Scene Luke 8 records Jairus begging Jesus to heal his dying daughter. On the way, news comes that the girl has died, but Jesus urges Jairus, “Do not fear; only believe, and she will be healed” (Luke 8:50). Moments later, verse 55 says, “Her spirit returned, and at once she got up.” The link between faith and the miracle shines through every step of the event. Faith Already Working Before the Miracle • Jairus risks reputation and ridicule by falling at Jesus’ feet (Luke 8:41). • He keeps walking with Jesus even after the funeral report arrives (8:49-50). • Faith is not a last-second addition; it precedes and accompanies the Lord’s action. Jesus Explicitly Ties Faith to His Power • Luke 8:50: “Only believe.” • Matthew 9:29: “According to your faith will it be done to you.” • John 11:40: “If you believed, you would see the glory of God.” Faith is presented as the God-ordained conduit through which divine power flows. Faith Creates an Atmosphere Where Life Returns • Unbelieving mourners are put outside (Luke 8:51, 53). • Inside, only believing witnesses remain: Jairus, his wife, Peter, John, James, and Jesus. • Mark 6:5-6 notes that unbelief can hinder miracles; here, faith welcomes resurrection life. What Faith Does—and Does Not Do • Faith does not manufacture miracles; God alone performs them (Psalm 115:3). • Faith positions the heart to receive what God delights to give (Hebrews 11:6). • Faith trusts Jesus’ word over visible evidence (2 Corinthians 5:7). • Faith persists when delays come, as Jairus did during the interruption with the bleeding woman (Luke 8:43-48). Practical Takeaways for Today • Nourish faith daily in Scripture: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). • Remove voices of doubt that drown out Jesus’ promise—whether internal fears or external scoffers. • Act on what you believe: Jairus walked back into a “hopeless” house because Jesus said, “Believe.” James 2:17 reminds us that living faith produces action. • Expect God’s life-giving power in every arena—physical, spiritual, relational. Ephesians 3:20 calls Him able “to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or imagine.” Witnessing miracles, then, is inseparable from trusting the Miracle-Worker. Like Jairus, believe first, walk with Jesus through the grim report, and watch His word call dead things to life. |
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