As soon as Jesus had heard the word that was
spoken
By those that came from the ruler's house; as that his daughter
was dead, and it was to no purpose to give him any further
trouble, since all hope of recovery was now gone:
he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue;
who was overwhelmed with trouble, and quite dispirited, and ready
to swoon and die away;
be not afraid, only believe:
do not be discouraged at these tidings, or distrust my power to
help thee, only believe that I am able to raise her, even from
the dead; and fear not, but it will be done. If a man can but
believe, he has no reason to fear; for what is it that almighty
power cannot do? it can raise the dead; there is nothing can
stand in its way, or stop its course; and faith in it surmounts
difficulties which are insuperable to carnal sense and reason:
this was the support and foundation of Abraham's faith; hence he
was strong in the exercise of it, and believed in hope against
hope, because he was fully persuaded that God was able to perform
what he had promised, ( Romans 4:18 Romans 4:20 Romans 4:21 ) . And
whereas the ruler had expressed some faith in Christ, that his
daughter, though at the point of death, would be, healed by him
and live, provided he would but come and lay his hands on her;
and Christ had assented to go along with him, and had given him
an intimation that he would restore her; he had nothing to do but
to believe in him, that even though she was dead, he was able to
raise her from the dead, as well as to recover her at the point
of death, and that he would do it, but, oh! this thing, "only
believe", how hard a matter is it, though there is so much
encouragement to it both in the power and will of Christ! Faith
is not of a man's self at first; it is the gift of God, and the
operation of his Spirit; and the lively and comfortable exercise
of it is owing to the influence of efficacious grace: but if
Christ, who is the author and finisher of faith, says "believe",
or "only believe"; such power goes along with his words, as
doubtless did at this time, as causes souls to exercise faith in
him; and the more faith, the less fear; and such walk most
comfortably in themselves, and most to the glory of Christ, who
walk by faith on him. This word "only" does not exclude the
exercise of other graces, but rather implies it, for where this
grace is in exercise, generally speaking, others are; nor the
performance of good works, which are the fruits and effects of
true faith, and without which faith is dead; but it stands
opposed to fears and doubting, and to all carnal reasonings, as
well as to all trust and confidence in other objects besides
Christ.