What does Luke 8:50 mean?

Jairus found Jesus shortly after He returned from crossing the Sea of Galilee. Jairus's daughter desperately needs Jesus' healing. But on the way to his house, the synagogue leader finds himself watching Jesus interact with a woman who has touched Jesus' cloak and received healing. Jesus tells the woman, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace" (Luke 8:41–48).

While Jesus is speaking, a messenger from Jairus's house arrives to tell him his daughter has died; there's no more reason to trouble Jesus for healing (Luke 8:49). Jesus responds with a companion comment to that which He gave the woman: have faith. Jairus has seen Jesus willingly heal a woman with a serious medical issue; Jesus has the power and desire to raise a dead girl. Some time later, Jesus will speak to another father whose son desperately needs rescue. Again, Jesus tells the father to have faith. The father responds, "I believe; help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:23–24).

In their book In Search of a Confident Faith, J. P. Moreland and Klaus Issler divide "faith" into three parts: knowledge, assent, and commitment. The woman with an issue of blood knew Jesus had the power to heal, accepted that understanding, and committed herself to take the steps to receive healing. The father of the possessed boy had strong commitment, but struggled with knowledge and assent. Jairus seems to waver in his commitment although he has shown strong knowledge and assent.

God is gracious with us. He knows we are weak humans and cannot have full and complete faith all the time. The strength of our faith may waver, but Jesus' faithfulness never will.