Do You Trust Me - No Matter What?

Do You Trust Me - No Matter What?

Mark 5:21-43

ILL…There was a man who was lost in the desert. After wandering around for a long time his throat became very dry, about that time he saw a little shack in the distance.

He made his way over to the shack and found a water pump with a small jug of water and a note.

The note read: "pour all the water into the top of the pump to prime it, if you do this you will get all the water you need". Now the man had a choice to make, if he trusted the note and poured the water in and it worked he would have all the water he needed. If it didn’t work he would still be thirsty and he might die. Or he could choose to drink the water in the jug and get immediate satisfaction, but it might not be enough and he still might die. After thinking about it the man decided to risk it. He poured the entire jug into the pump and began to work the handle, at first nothing happened and he got a little scared but he kept going and water started coming out. So much water came out he drank all he wanted, took a shower, and filled all the containers he could find. Because he was willing to give up momentary satisfaction, he got all the water he needed. Now the note also said: after you have finished, please refill the jug for the next traveler.” The man refilled the jug and added to the note: “Please prime the pump, believe me it works”!

Today we talk about trust. Jesus calls on two people to trust Him in different ways – but both are offered the chance to “prime the pump” of faith by forcing reliance on Jesus Christ.

• First, we have a public figure who must choose trusting Jesus over the jeers and doubts of his loved ones.

• Second we have an anonymous figure who has faith in Jesus but has not taken a public stand, acknowledging Him before the crowds.

Mark 5:21-24… When Jesus went back across to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him on the shore. A leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, came and fell down before him, pleading with him to heal his little daughter. "She is about to die," he said in desperation. "Please come and place your hands on her; heal her so she can live."

Jesus went with him, and the crowd thronged behind. NLT

Jairus, belonged to the group of those who argued with Jesus about whether it was legal to heal on the Sabbath. He was part of the church leadership that did not accept the ministry and work of Jesus.

Now, through desperation he comes to Jesus. It is amazing how true need breaks through prejudice. People will mock Jesus and you for belonging to Him, but when a true crisis happens in their lives, they know that Jesus is the only real source of help.

As a synagogue ruler – Jairus was more like an administrator that a theologian. Nevertheless, he was a public figure and a well known and respected name in the community.

Coming to Jesus like this carried with it huge risks. I find it interesting that when it comes to theories we can find all kinds of arguments against believing in Jesus. However, Luke tells us that the girl was 12 years old – and was Jairus’ only daughter.

Put yourself in his shoes:

• At the end of his rope

• About to lose this precious gift

• Theories and arguments fall by the way side.

• Position becomes secondary.

Jairus asks Jesus to come and lay hands on the daughter.

Mark 5:25-29… there was a woman in the crowd who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors through the years and had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she was worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched the fringe of his robe. For she thought to herself, "If I can just touch his clothing, I will be healed." Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel that she had been healed! NLT

According to Jewish law this woman’s husband could not touch her and everything she touched became unclean. What a terrible life that was to lead. She had sought the best of what the medical care of the day had to offer and spent every dime she had – but to know avail.

For every year that Jairus’ little girl lived – this woman was in torment.