Only Believe
S. Martin. Mark 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he said to the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. I. CONCERNING THIS FEAR. 1. Fearfulness is common in applicants to the Saviour, and it springs from such sources as the following:(1) Ignorance of the power and resources of the Saviour. We may believe that He can heal disease, but doubt that He can raise the dead. (2) From morbid imagination of danger and of mischief. These we exaggerate. (3) Hardness of heart towards Christ's chief display of love, especially that manifestation of His mercy which He has given by dying for us. (4) Then there is the memory and the consciousness of sin. 2. There can be nothing in the circumstances of an applicant to Jesus Christ to justify fear. Jesus does not reject you for sin, weakness, sadness — nothing is difficult to Him. He will do all at the right time. 3. Fearfulness when cherished is positively displeasing to the Saviour. It is groundless, dishonouring, injurious to ourselves. II. CONCERNING TRUST. 1. Trust in Jesus is His due. 2. It is not always easy. 3. Are you all applicants to Jesus Christ? "Be not afraid." Trust for the knowledge which is essential to life and salvation. (S. Martin.) Parallel Verses KJV: As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. WEB: But Jesus, when he heard the message spoken, immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Don't be afraid, only believe."