Christ Died So That We Might Live

! Mark 5:21-43 Theme: Christ died so that we might live

Text: 2 Sam. 1:1, 17-27; 2 Cor. 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43

God has a divine plan for our lives. This plan is in the Word of God and this life is only possible when one lives a life of obedience to the Word of God. Such a life is a life of purity, prayer and power. Jesus Christ led a perfect life and His life was an expression or a manifestation of His words. There was no contradiction between His Words and His life. As Christians we claim to be like Christ. We know His Words but it appears either we do not believe them or we interpret them the way it suits us and so live lives that are not according to His Words. As Christians we are always affirming our belief in Christ as Saviour and Lord but our lives seem to be saying something otherwise. We are saved or become Christians when we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in our hearts that God has raised Him from the dead. We do this by faith as the Christian experience, from start to finish, is a journey of faith. Through faith we come into possession of a new life and through it we walk in this new life. But today many Christians would rather believe the advertisements they see or hear about than believe what the Word of God declares. It really appears that we are prepared to believe anything but the Word of God. If, for example, your boss were to promise you a raise in salary, you would believe him and not question it and go home rejoicing. So why do we question what God says? It is only when we believe the Word of God and act on it that it becomes a reality in our lives. The woman with the issue of blood believed the Word of God and touched the hem of His garment and was restored to good health. Jairus believed the Word of God and acted on it and his daughter was raised from the dead. We also have every reason to believe the Word of God for to live we have to believe that Christ died so that we might live.

God’s divine will for man is “that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly” John 10:10. Life is a journey and God’s plan is for us to glorify His name by enjoying this journey and good health is part of His plan. Just as God’s healing power was available to the woman with an incurable condition for 12 years, and to the little 12 year old girl near death, so His healing power is also available to us. Just as both of them came to the Lord with their needs, so also should we come to Him with ours. We can only enjoy life’s journey with someone who is able to overcome life’s problems and the only person who can do that is Jesus Christ. The abundant life is to live the life of Christ and enjoy His peace. Christ does not only heal our infirmities He saves us, reconciles us with the Father and gives us His peace, that peace that passes understanding. After healing the woman with the issue of blood, Jesus delayed His journey to the house of Jairus. He wanted the woman to admit what she had done. Of course Jesus knew who had touched Him but He wanted her to publicly acknowledge Him to complete the miracle.

It would seem a waste of time to us especially when any lost time would seem to endanger the daughter of Jairus. But this time was not wasted at all. This woman had heard about Jesus and believed that He was the Messiah and capable of healing her infirmity and she acted on her belief. Although she was prevented by law to touch another person because she was unclean and although she was weak from the long illness and it was a struggle to get through the crowd, she persevered till she could touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. The hem of His garments refers to the tassels placed at the corners of the prayer shawl worn by the Jews. These tassels are to remind the Jews of God’s commandments. They also pointed to the authority of the one wearing them. This was the reason why the Pharisees choose to have very long tassels to show their importance and authority. These tassels on the hem are also referred to as wings and by touching the hem of His garments the woman was declaring the Word of God in Mal. 4:2 that “The Sun of righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings”. Jesus delayed His journey to acknowledge her faith and get a public confession from her to meet her other needs as well. After she had come forward out of the crowd and told her whole story Jesus said to her ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction.’ When God delays it is always for a purpose and divine delays usually test our faith and often results in God blessing us in a greater way. The delay gave the woman Christ’s assurance of peace. But the delay was also a blessing for Jairus. Sometimes God delays so that we can focus our attention on what He wants to do. God’s resources, His power and His peace are available to us all. We all have equal access to the Saviour but we have to approach Him in faith. There was a great crowd around Jesus with many coming into contact with Him yet only one of them received a miracle. Only the one who touched Him in faith? Let us touch Him in faith as we sing, pray and worship in His presence today.