This is the logo of the Medical school, where Anna and I work currently. The text in the logo, ‘Be not afraid, only believe’ is based on the words of Jesus addressed to the synagogue official Jairus, whose daughter had just died. Overhearing what was spoken, when the message of her death was conveyed to the official, Jesus turned to him and said, Do not be afraid any longer, only believe’(Mark5:36).
I was reminded of the phrase, any longer, which does not appear in the logo. However, the logo receives even greater meaning, when the phrase, any longer, connects the two existing phrases of the logo.
The daughter of the synagogue official and died between the time when Jairus first came to Jesus, requesting Jesus, 'my little daughter is at the point of death, please come and lay your hands on her that she amy get well and live’(Mark.5:23) and Jesus getting interrupted on his way by the woman with a haemorrhage for twelve years, who touched his garment to receive healing. There was time spent engaging her after she was healed by Jesus who told her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well, go in peace, and be healed of your affliction’.
However it was this experience that gave even more hope to Jairus, who witnessed the healing of the woman. It is for this reason, Jesus said, ‘do not be afraid any longer’ after witnessing God’s healing presence. Jairus came to Jesus initially fearing that his daughter was nigh unto death.
We live carrying within ourselves at least remotely the fear of the worst. It is this fear Jesus would want us to address and be freed because of His presence with us. This is the heritage of those who put their trust in Jesus. The fear is dispelled and hope is born in human hearts.
The logo, ‘Be not afraid any longer, only believe’ is both an invitation and a promise. I wish the students and faculty at the institution would ponder over the personal response that this logo generates within us!
M.C.Mathew(text and photo)
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