Neville Goddard on Mark 5:36

Executive Summary

In the provided lectures, Neville Goddard does not offer a direct commentary on Mark 5:36 but instead presents the biblical narrative itself as the lesson. The story illustrates a core principle: when confronted with seemingly final, negative evidence (a 'dead' child), one must reject fear and maintain belief. Jesus's actions—ignoring the report, commanding belief, reframing the condition as 'sleep,' and shutting out the mocking crowd—serve as a model for how to remain faithful to an assumption.

Key Concepts

markdown - The command to 'only believe' is given in direct opposition to a factual report from the senses.

• Fear must be rejected when faced with evidence that contradicts your aim.
• A seemingly irreversible state ('dead') can be redefined as a temporary one ('sleepeth').
• The 'mocking crowd,' representing doubt and contrary external evidence, must be shut out.

Detailed Explanation

markdown - Neville presents the story of Jesus healing the daughter of Jairus as a powerful lesson in faith. On his way to the house, Jesus is met with the news that the child is already dead, implying that his help is no longer needed and the situation is beyond repair. This represents the moment when our senses and reason present us with a seemingly final, negative fact.

• Jesus's immediate response is the core of the teaching: "Be not afraid, only believe." This instruction is a direct command to disregard the evidence just presented. It teaches that belief is the only thing required, even when circumstances appear hopeless. Fear is the natural reaction to such news, but it must be consciously set aside.

• Upon arriving at the house, Jesus further challenges the external reality by reframing it. He tells the weeping and wailing crowd that the girl is not dead, but merely sleeping. This redefinition of the problem is met with mockery and laughter from those who accept the evidence of their senses. Their reaction highlights the conflict between sensory evidence and faith in the unseen.

• In a crucial final step, Jesus closes the doors, shutting out the mocking crowd. This action symbolizes the necessity of excluding all doubt, disbelief, and contrary evidence from one's consciousness when holding to a state of belief. Only after the doubters are removed can the desired reality be experienced.

Important Quotes

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

— Thinking Fourth-Dimensionally

Why make ye this ado, and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

— How To Manifest Your Desires

Related Concepts

markdown - The instruction to 'only believe' despite all evidence to the contrary is the foundation of the Law of Assumption. It requires one to live in the feeling of the wish fulfilled, even when the senses deny it.

• By shutting out the 'mocking crowd,' Jesus demonstrates the principle of protecting one's assumed state from the doubts and negative evidence of the external world. This is a crucial step in impressing the subconscious mind.

• The act of redefining the situation from 'dead' to 'sleeping' is an exercise in controlling one's own consciousness. It is a refusal to accept the world's definition of reality and instead to impose one's own imaginal reality upon it.

Common Misunderstandings

markdown - This teaching is not about denying facts exist, but about denying their finality. The report that the child was dead was a fact to the senses, but Jesus refused to accept it as the ultimate truth. The lesson is to give power to your belief rather than to the external evidence.

Practical Applications

markdown - When you receive news that contradicts your desire—a rejection, a negative diagnosis, or a financial loss—your instruction is to not be afraid, but to 'only believe' in your desired outcome. You must consciously refuse to entertain the fear and doubt that such reports generate.

• Mentally 'close the door' on the mocking crowd. This means turning away from news, opinions, and even your own sensory evidence that tells you your desire is impossible. Do not argue with or try to convince the doubt; simply shut it out of your awareness.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to the source, what was Jesus's immediate response to the news that the child was dead?

His immediate response was to tell the synagogue ruler, 'Be not afraid, only believe.'

How did Jesus redefine the situation upon arriving at the house?

He stated that the child was 'not dead, but sleepeth.'

What did Jesus do about the people who mocked him for saying the child was only sleeping?

He closed the doors against the mocking crowd, taking only his disciples and the parents with him.