Never Without Hope - Part One

NEVER WITHOUT HOPE – Part 1

Mark 5:21-43

INTRODUCTION: The “maiden flight” of my first model plane was a disaster. It crashed and was beyond repair—hopeless. There have been times when the events of life have created what we sometimes see as hopeless situations. There is no such thing as a hopeless situation when Jesus comes on the scene. There is no such thing as a hopeless situation for the One that said, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth” (Matthew 28:18). Jesus has power even over sickness and death. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever!

Jesus had just arrived from a trip into the country of the Gadarenes. The trip to the Gadarenes was an exciting one as we see in chapter 4 and His ministry there was one of miracles.

Are you looking at what may seem a hopeless situation today?

I. IN NEED OF A MIRACLE

1. Jairus was a leader of the synagogue. He was most likely a godly man. He had a desperate need.

a. Bad things do happen to good and godly people. Just ask Job. Jeremiah complained and questioned, “Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?” (Jeremiah 12:1)

2. Jairus fell at the feet of Jesus (v.22).

a. This shows the depth of his desperation. He cast himself in humility in the dust before Christ.

b. It isn’t until I admit my total helplessness that Jesus is able to work the miracle I need.

c. Flesh must get out of the way. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that it is in our weakness that God’s strength is made perfect. His prayer was an effectual, fervent prayer.

d. Fall at Jesus’ feet today in humility and let Him work the miracle you need.

3. Jairus was in a “race against time.” His little girl was only 12 years old and lay on her death bed (v. 23). Every second counted. Leaving this precious child, his only daughter, was difficult because he knew that she might die before he could return. IT WAS A RISK OF FAITH!

4. Jairus knew that only Jesus could help in this time of great need. If Jesus would just touch her she would live (v.23). Jesus went with him (v.24).

5. I wonder if he would have invited Jesus to his home if his daughter was well. Jesus wants to dwell with us ALL the time, not only in times of need.

II. A MIRACLE WITHIN A MIRACLE

1. On the way to the home of Jairus there was a woman with a 12 year condition of hemorrhaging—an issue of blood (v.25).

a. Many doctors had treated her, and none could help.

b. She had spent every dime she had and for nothing. In fact her condition was worse than ever (v.26).

c. Her problem was also a spiritual one. According to Jewish law, she was ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 15:25). And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean.

2. For Jesus to come in contact with her made Him “ceremonially unclean.” For Him to touch Jairus’ dead daughter would defile Him as well. He defiled Himself when He touched the leper.

3. Thank God He was willing to come to this sin-defiled world and touch my sin-defiled life. Isaiah 53:4-6 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.

4. She felt so unworthy to touch Jesus—she came in the crowd from behind (v.27).

a. She touched his garment.

b. What faith (v.28)! I shall be made whole.

c. Not just healed—but WHOLE.

5. Her faith was rewarded with a miracle (v.29).

6. She could have made excuses and not been healed. She could have said, “the crowd is too large for me to press through” or she could have said, “Jesus is too busy with more important things right now—he’s on His way to Jairus’ house.”

7. Her touch was a touch of faith. Jesus knew that virtue (POWER) had gone out of Him (vv.30-32).