I have been to many funerals. Of course, as a Pastor, most of the people whose funerals I have attended have been Christian. Most were faithful Christians. But some of the time, those who died were not Christian. So, I can tell you that there is a difference between the funeral of a Christian and that of an unbeliever. There is a difference for those who trust in the Lord. The difference is hope, hope born of a God-given faith in Jesus Christ. Faith knows that death is not the end. Death is not the end because Jesus has power, even over death.

This morning's Gospel lesson is all about Jesus' power over death. A respected leader in the synagogue comes and worships Jesus. He is the father of a deathly ill twelve year old girl. No doubt, all that could be done for the girl has already been done. Yet, despite all these efforts, the girl is fading away. The ruler sees the situation and he knows what is coming, but he is not hopeless. He knows Jesus, and he comes and worships Him.

The Bible doesn't say how the ruler heard of Jesus. It could have been when Jesus spoke with authority at the synagogue in Capernaum [Mk 1:22], where this event takes place. He could have heard how Jesus had healed the Peter's mother-in-law who lay sick with a fever in that same town [Mt 8:15]. Someone may have told the ruler about how Jesus healed the paralytic, mentioned a few verses before [Mt 9:6]. However he came to faith, the ruler had heard of Jesus and he knows that Jesus has the power to help his sick and dying daughter. So he set off to find Jesus.

Jesus wasn't hard to find that day. He was where all the people were. So the ruler winds his way through the heavy crowd pressing in on Jesus. He has but one thought on his mind. He must speak to this Jesus and beg Him to help his dying daughter. But before Jesus came to his house, his little girl died.

When the ruler finds Jesus, he throws himself down in front of Him in prayer. Seldom in Scripture is recorded a more heartfelt and grief stricken prayer from the soul. "My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live." This is a strong and sincere prayer. It is a desperate prayer. Without hesitation, Jesus goes with the ruler. The Lord's disciples and a large portion of the crown follow along behind.

The progress of the group is hampered by the large crowd, all wanting to see this Jesus. They want to hear Him and they want to touch Him, so the progress to the ruler's house is slow. Suddenly, a woman who has suffered years from bleeding, sneaks out of the crowd and she touches Jesus robe. Jesus pauses to say something. The ruler must have been frustrated beyond words. His daughter has just died and the one Man who can help her is trapped by this crowd!

Certainly, the ruler must have been numbed with grief. If he could think at all, he probably had his mind racing with all of the things he should have done. If only he had come to Jesus sooner, perhaps his daughter would not have died. This is how Martha of Bethany thought when her brother Lazarus had died [Jn 11:21]. Such thoughts of what should have been different probably come into your mind when you hear shocking news. But neither you nor I really know what the ruler was thinking. But Jesus knew exactly what was in the ruler's heart and mind. He knew exactly how the ruler felt.

You know the rest of the story. You know how they shouldered their way through the noisy crowd who were wailing and shrieking. You know how they endured the unsympathetic ridicule from those who thought Jesus was a fool when He said, "Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping." You know how Jesus took the girls lifeless hand and summoned her soul to return to her body.

On the way to the house, Jesus had told the father, "Do not be afraid; only believe." [Mk 5:36] Do not be afraid; only believe. That word of Jesus is for you, as well, in every time of trouble, in every crisis, in every pain and loss. Only believe that in His wisdom God knows how much joy and sorrow, how much pleasure and pain, how much prosperity and poverty is right for you. The ruler came to understand that God knows how much light is needed to overcome the darkness. And God gave the precise mixture of fair weather and of storm that he needed.

Do not doubt. Do not be afraid; only believe. Trust that the miracle of life over death is not written in this Gospel lesson by accident. Trust that this is not a message of long ago and far away. This is not just some quaint story to tell children in Sunday School. This story is written and handed down to you by God Himself, so that you will know that Jesus Christ has power over death. Jesus wants you to know this and to trust this! To you He says, "Do not be afraid, only believe."
Believe that the same Savior who gave up His life on the cross did this so you would not be defeated by death. Believe that this same Savior spent His life fulfilling the Law perfectly, so that you might be free from the curse of the Law. Believe that this same Savior has defeated Satan and all of his evil temptations so that you might live a life of hope and joy, even in the midst of sorrow and pain. Believe that this same Savior is with you now and forever. Do not doubt. Do not be afraid; only believe. Call upon Him in every trouble, pray, praise, and give thanks. Trust Jesus. Put aside the messages of doubt and despair and discouragement other people might bring. Your Lord Jesus is the very Lord of life. He has power over death. He has the power to conquer any difficulty you face and He has given you His peace and His life. Do not be afraid; only believe!

I have been your Pastor now for over six years. I know the problems some of you face. Some of you face critical health problems. Some of you have lost children. Some of you have lost your spouse. Some of you have watched your life long love grow cold. Some of you cannot sleep for fear of what tomorrow may bring. As your Pastor, I have shared your uncertainty and your fears. And today I come to assure you that nothing you face is beyond your Lord's help. Nothing is beyond His reach! Do not be afraid; only believe!

Jesus Christ is the Lord of your life, and not just your life, but all life! Jesus is the Master over death. He is the all powerful Son of God. When you say good-bye to your loved ones who die in the Lord, only believe Jesus when He says that this is not the end. Believe Him when He says that He has gone ahead to prepare a place just for you and all who die in the faith. Believe this because Jesus has shed His Blood for you. He has died for you and more than that—He has risen from the dead for you. He is your Lord and He has conquered death for you. And if He has conquered death for you, there is nothing He cannot and will not do for you to see you through all the dark valleys of this life into the bright and glorious future He has in store for you.

Believe today's Gospel. Believe that just like He did for the ruler's daughter, the Lord of life will one day take your hand into His nail scarred hands and lift you up from the grave. Believe that you also will rise, never to die again! This is what you believe, for that is the faith given to you by the Holy Ghost. And at those times when sorrow or pain darken your days, when your faith feels weak and hope is hard to find, Jesus comes to you with His Gospel Word and He comes to you in His own Body and Blood to shore up and strengthen the faith He has given you. He comes to remind you of His great love for you and of what He has done for you. He comes and fills you with Himself and forgive you. Jesus has already conquered death for you. No matter what happens to you in this life, Jesus will raise you up on the last day and bring you into eternal life. Only believe this and do not be afraid, for your Lord is the Lord of life. Amen.

The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.