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Arise, My Child! Series
Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jul 13, 2014 (message contributor)
Summary: For Christians, death is merely a passage to life by faith in Christ only! When Jesus encounters people who need Him two things happen: 1) He willingly goes to where they are and, 2) they do whatever it takes to come to Him. We should live the same way!
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Arise, My Child!
Mark 5:21-43
Introduction
- Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant”
-- Key verse: Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
- Last week we tackled one of the most difficult chapters of Mark
-- It is clear from Mark 4:20 what Jesus tells us what we MUST realize (read)
- Today we see continue to see Jesus teaching to those who’ve come to Him
-- The application of what Christ calls us to do is APPLY what we’ve HEARD
- Bottom line from last message: When Jesus encountered a man who needed compassion … He was there to provide it without asking first for an offering or something in return.
-- APP: Jesus is there for us in the same way, IF we will seek Him out
- Read Mark 5:21-43
∆ Point 1 – Faith Matters (21-24)
- Jesus and the disciples head back across the Sea of Galilee
-- Interestingly enough: One crowd sent him away - another welcomed Him in
-- IMP: Wherever He went, there was always a crowd attempting to get at Him
- A man named Jarius, a leader in the synagogue, comes to see Jesus
-- This man probably served as something we would consider as an elder today
-- He was highly respected, a leader in the church … the JEWISH church
-- He describes his daughter as “little”, but at 12 yrs. old she isn’t little (precious)
- See his approach? Tosses his pride aside and comes to Jesus for help
-- Challenge: What would YOU do for your sick child? (Are you sure?)
-- This opportunity for others to see what happens when you come to Jesus is great
- TRANS: While Jesus is traveling to see this child, a sub-plot begins to unfold
∆ Point 2 – Touching Jesus (25-35)
- Jesus is being followed by a large crowd; many who need help and assistance
-- In particular, is a woman who has a condition with her blood (v25)
-- For 12 years, this woman has dealt with this condition however she could
-- The result were probably exhausting and taxing on her physically/mentally
- Additionally, her “bleeding” would have labeled her ceremonially unclean
-- Turn to and read Leviticus 15:25-30 (Jewish Law deals with them harshly)
-- She would be shunned from public events, and treated as an OUTCAST
--- Interestingly enough … the man possessed was treated the same way
--- IMP: Jesus finds the outcasts!
- Additionally, she has (v26) depleted her financial capabilities
-- No one could help her, but she would’ve still had to pay her doctor bills
- So, all her thoughts, all her need, turn to the One she has heard about (v27)
-- Look at the direction her mind takes as she comes closer to the Lord
-- IMP: Read verse 27-28 … her mind is consumed with reaching Jesus
- If you need to check your own faith for a moment, here it is:
-- IMP: Is Jesus the One you turn to at the beginning or the end of your struggle?
- How this woman approached Jesus is of most interest here
-- She doesn’t want to interrupt Him, so she approaches in secret
-- Why? Her shame, her guilt, her condition has put her in position of lowliness
- v30 presents us then with an interesting other side, “Who touched me?”
-- Let me set this straight: Jesus knew EXACTLY who touched Him
-- His question was to bring her to the light, to confess what she needed
-- IMP: Confession requires identification: “Lord, it is ME who has sinned …”
- This woman has approached Jesus at his feet (v33); it’s a place of submission
-- She knows she has been healed and this is really for the benefit of those around
-- In v31 they appear almost surprised, “We’re in a crowd … what do you mean?”
- And for their sarcasm they see this woman and her position before Jesus’ feet
-- Jesus’ response (v34) is to call her “daughter”, or “my precious one” …
-- APP: You and I ought to see this as well and learn how to approach Him
- TRANS: We might be too quick to get to the next part to not think on this
-- How did Jarius refer to his kid? Who’s Jesus with when this event happens?
- This woman has been healed by her faith, and nothing more magical then that!
- Please make note of this here:
-- We’ve got to be careful not to twist this into “name it and claim it” nonsense
-- She has come directly to the Master, and touched Him physically with her hand