Jesus Rewrites the Ending | Mark 5:35-43

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

And today’s shout-out goes to Bob Smotherman from Temperance, MI. Bob, thank you for partnering with us through Project23. Your support helps rewrite endings for so many. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 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. — Mark 5:35-43

The crowd was still processing the healing of the woman. But before Jairus could take another step, his worst fear arrived:

“Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

It was over. Too late. Or so they thought. But Jesus hears the report and immediately speaks to Jairus:

“Do not fear. Only believe.”

That one sentence reframes everything. Jesus doesn’t explain. He simply calls Jairus to trust—beyond the news, beyond the evidence, beyond the grief, beyond the noise.

They arrive at the house, and the wailing has already begun. People mourning. People mocking.

Jesus says, “She’s not dead but sleeping,” and they laugh. But their laughter doesn’t stop him. He clears the room. He takes her hand. And He speaks the words only Jesus could say:

“Talitha cumi.”

And she does.

This is who Jesus is. He speaks life where others have accepted death. He walks into impossible rooms and rewrites the ending. He turns mourning into miracles.

If you're holding onto grief, fear, or finality today. Remember, Jesus can rewrite the ending of any story. Hear his words again:

“Do not fear. Only believe.”

#OnlyBelieve, #JesusHeals, #MarkFive

ASK THIS:

1. What fear are you facing that Jesus wants to replace with faith?
2. How do you respond when others mock your hope in Jesus?
3. What areas of your life feel like they’re beyond saving?
4. How might Jesus be rewriting a story you’ve already given up on?

DO THIS:

Speak aloud the words of Jesus today—“Do not fear. Only believe”—and let them confront one specific fear you're facing.

PRAY THIS:

Jesus, when fear and doubt try to take over, help me hear Your voice above the noise. I choose to believe—even when others laugh, even when it seems too late. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

Graves Into Gardens.