Just believe is based on Mark and Luke’s account of Jesus raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead (Mark 5, Luke 8). David Edgren has done an excellent job of telling the story in the culture and context of the time.
Jairus was the leader of the synagogue and Edgren uses this information to describe how his role negatively impacted his understanding of Jesus. Many of the religious leaders struggled to believe Jesus could be a godly person when in their eyes he was a Sabbath-breaker. Edgren uses the neighbour’s son to relate what Jesus was saying and doing in the area which encourages the faith of Jairus’ daughter but annoys Jairus.
All the additions Edgren has made to the Gospel accounts are very believable. However, they caught me by surprise because I’m unaccustomed to hearing Jesus referred to as a Sabbath-breaker and why this was so important to the religious leaders. Yet this was certainly the case.
Overall, this is a well-told, easy-to-read story for 9-12-year-olds.
Book Review : Just believe
