Never-Ending Adventure Sermon Iv: Jesus Heals Series

THE CHRISTIAN’S NEVER-ENDING ADVENTURE

Jesus Heals – No Matter Who, What, When – Mark 5:21-43

As we come to the end of a year, the question uppermost in the minds of some of us older (more mature) children of God is, “Is It Well With My Soul?”

That question went through my mind once again this past week as a doctor discussed with me the possibilities, “at your age”, of what might be the cause of the ailment which brought me in to see her.

When we experience aches and pains on a magnitude that exceeds everyday occurrences, accompanied by congestion and coughing, we turn to physicians and pharmacies. After all, they have remedies for much of what ails us.

However, we all experience pain and sorrow that run the gamut from the physical---emotional---relational---spiritual which are beyond the scope of science.

And, as children of God, we turn to the Creator of our bodies and souls, the Author and Finisher of our Faith, our Great Physician who is Christ the Lord . . . He brings healing beyond anything we ever imagined.

We can trust Jesus to take care of us in all our ways for the rest of our days – no matter what this year brought, or next year might bring.

So, once again, tell me the story of Jesus, inscribe on my heart every word, help me to subscribe to what He said and did - to understand why, so that I too might experience the wellness of those who were touched by His Ministry of Hope – Mark 5:21-43 . . .

What we have here is an actual, factual account of what happened one day when Jesus encountered the spoken plea of a ruler on behalf of his dying, soon-to-be-dead daughter, and the unspoken plea of a sick woman who had just as soon be dead due to the nature of her ailment.

These are the kinds of encounters that occur often during our never-ending adventure with Christ. The setting of this story makes the point that, as ministers, we never run out of ministry opportunities as our journey continues day by day.

Jesus was continuing the journey begun earlier when He had finished the parabolic-teaching of the “multitude” and headed to “the other side” of the Sea of Galilee, a leg of the journey that had been interrupted by a great storm.

When Jesus arrived at the southeast side of the Sea, there awaited Him a demon-possessed man whose immediate healing by Jesus sparked a “bay of pigs” controversy to which our Lord responded by getting back in the boat and returning to the region where folks continued to wait for the return of this miracle worker sent from God whose power of healing fazed everyone. Most were amazed, but some were dazed, and later would become crazed by this man’s authority.

Remarkable, isn’t it - or maybe not - how it is that certain good things that happen to benefit people in general spark such contrasting emotional responses – humble gratitude on the part of many but hysterical outrage on the part of others.

Be that as it may, our Lord is neutral to political, sociological, class distinctions that often get in the way of the common good – that which benefits everybody. Why would anyone of a sound mind object to the healing of a demon-possessed man . . . and now a hemorrhage-plagued woman? Shouldn’t Jesus have bowed to his handlers’ advice to come back to the peasant woman after he first visited the home of a nobleman?`

By His actions, Jesus let it be known that anyone can approach Him with their needs, at any time, in any place. Jesus is interruptible in times of despair or distress! He makes no distinction whatsoever as to who, what or when. He took time with the woman who touched his garment, then He went with the ruler.

Now hear this:

Jesus always goes with us! Whenever we seek His presence and power in faith, as did Jairus, He will respond to our request, He will meet our need for reassurance . . . healing whether presently or ultimately . . . comfort.

Our Lord and Savior cares about us!

Yes, even when things go wrong, we can trust Jesus to take care of our situation, to turn the negative into a positive!

A messenger from the house of Jairus came looking for him with the worst words a parent would ever want to hear. “Thy daughter is dead.” How that pierced the soul of this father!

Surely, the father was overcome with grief - grief mixed with anger, resentment and doubt. He was no doubt angry over the whole situation and turn of events. He probably resented the woman who interrupted Jesus. Could she not have waited a while longer? Did Jesus not sense the urgency of his dire situation? Maybe Jesus did not care as much as he thought.