Mk 5:35-43 - While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
It seems that there are two options when it comes to fear. Either you fear or you have faith. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus commands people not to fear, but to have faith. The natural default seems to be fear and so we must actively have faith for faith to win out. After Jesus healed this daughter against the face of adversary and opposition, they were overcome with amazement or awe or in essence, fear. When we have faith and we see God work, it leads to a correct fear. The more we fear God, the more he can do through us. The previous chapter was about a woman who was bleeding for many years and she had faith that even an indirect touch would heal her. Her faith was rewarded and when Jesus discovered who had touched her, she fell down with fear and trembling. Fear of God follows faith but fear of man hinders faith. Faith requires risk as in this situation where the ruler of the synagogue had put his reputation at risk as the mourners laughed at this desperate man, he trusted Jesus and was rewarded with the life of her daughter, brought back from the dead.
