Scripture - Luke 8:50-53 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." 51 When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. 52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping." 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.
Observation - I love this portion of scripture and often wonder why did he put everyone out of the room except Peter, James, John and the mother and father. He made everyone leave the room except these 5 people. There must have been some significance to those that remained. As I began to think about who the 5 were and what the task was that was at hand, It made sense to me that he would have surrounded himself with people that believe for what can happen. Peter, James and John had seen everything. They were the disciples that were on the inside track walking with him everywhere and seeing everything. They would have been the ones that would believe for this miracle. The mother and father are easy to understand. Who better to believe that a child can come back to life than a mother and father that so desperately want that very thing to happen.
Application - I was thinking about many of the tasks that I have to accomplish at the church. The task God has put before me requires much faith. I am trying to build a church in the most unchurched county in the nation. I am trying to preach the gospel to people that are not really receptive to it. I am trying to help people that are resistant to anything weird. I need the child to be revived. As I approach the tasks of my daily life I need people around me that will believe for the miracle. I need people in the room that will stand for what God is going to do. People that have faith to see the greatest of things happen. People that believe that God can do anything and wants to do them for us. We don't have time for unbelief. We don't have time here for the disbelief. We need those that are unified for the cause that will stand with the shepherd even when it looks like death has claimed the body. We are praying for miracles and we need to stand believing in the miracles.
Prayer - God surround me with Peter, James and John and the mother and father. God give me those that will believe in what you are doing and going to do in our region, our state and our nation. God we are going to revive your people, to wake them up and show them the great God that cares for them. Equip me with the resources to accomplish the mission.
