I. Trusting the Word!
A. Text: Mark 5:21-24
B. How many times do you find yourself in a situation where doubt creeps in and, before you know it, fear has taken over your situation?
C. That’s exactly what happened to Jairus in our text.
D. Jairus was a presiding elder of the synagogue--an assembly that included the whole community of Capernaum. His position made him one of the most prominent men of the congregation. The synagogue was the most important institution in a local Palestinian village, and Jairus was the presiding officer of that synagogue which meant that he was the leading citizen of his village. He was neither a teacher nor a preacher, but was responsible for the order of the synagogue service. He was the keeper of the sacred books (which were the property of the community)--he was in a sense the president of the congregation & the administrative head of the city; the city manager so to speak. Every service he appointed someone to lead in prayer & someone to read the scripture--if there was a visiting rabbi we would invite him to read from the scriptures & comment on them. So here we see a man with a high social position, a man known among the people, a man of prestige & power
E. The fact is – being a person of prominence doesn’t keep you from life’s situations. Situations will arise in everyone’s life – no matter who you are.
F. But what matters is how you react over that situation. Will you let it overwhelm you; or will you overwhelm it?
G. I want us to look at Jairus’ example of how to handle a tragic situation.
II. Where Do You Run?
A. When a situation arises in your life…when tragedy strikes…or a problem raises its ugly head…where do you run?
B.When you have an urgent situation – when you have an emergency like Jairus had – your reputation, your clout, your titles won’t help you! When you’re in a situation like Jairus was in – you don’t care what your peers think! What would cause a man to forget his place in society, and what others might think or say: his dying child!
C. In verse 23, Jairus informed Jesus that his little daughter is at the point of death. Luke’s version of this story states that this was his only daughter and that she was twelve years old and was dying. What tragedy. In Jewish society of that era, a twelve year old girl was on the edge of becoming a young woman who was soon to be married. But Jairus’ little girl was not maturing into her young future but her life was going to be snuffed out prematurely.
D. He was at the point of desperation and despair.
E. Our text tells us that Jairus ran to Jesus and fell at his feet.
F. He was a ruler in the synagogue. His peers would have nothing to do with Jesus – but he ran and fell at His feet.
G. When the doubt come into our lives – when death has been spoken – or doubt has been spoken – what we need to do is run and fall at the feet of Jesus!
H. Where do you run? Who do you run to? Do you immediately run to a family member? Do you immediately run to gossip to a neighbor? WHO do you run to?
I. Folks, we need to make it habit to talk to God about our circumstances! Get His Word on your situation. I guarantee you He has a Word for you no matter the problem!
J. Through Jairus’ situation, I want to show you some very specific things that will (or should) take place when you run to Jesus with your situation.
III. Fear Not and Only Believe!
A. Text/Part 2: Mark 5:35-43
B. A couple of things to notice here:
1)First, in verse 35, one of Jairus’ servants came by to say, “The girl is dead. No need to bother the Teacher any longer.”
2)Notice the servant delivered the word of death to Jairus and Jesus.
3) But, in the very next verse (36), notice what it says: “As soon as Jesus heard the word. What word? The pronouncement of death.”
4)Just as soon as Jesus heard the word of doubt…just as soon as He heard the word of death…what does it say…it says “He said,” to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”
5) As soon as the words of death and doubt was spoken, Jesus immediately spoke the words of life and hope into Jairus!
C. Have you ever noticed? I noticed something here…is it just me, or does it seem to you that God never gets in a hurry to do anything?
D. In the first part of our text – Jairus hurriedly runs to Jesus to get him to come to his house. In faith he states, “If you lay Your hands on her, she…will be healed.”
E. But – what happens between verses 25-34 in Mark chapter 5? An interruption.
F. The woman with the blood disease is ministered to.
G. Have you ever been in a service when you were really in need of a touch from God and it seemed that the prophet, the preacher was praying for everyone else but you!? Everyone else’s situation was being handled but your own? You felt like the last one to be picked for the kick ball team – God waits until the last possible minute to respond it feels!?
H. The thing to always remember is that GOD is fully aware of what is going on! He’s not missing a beat! He knows where you are and how you are! And He knows the exact time to move in your situation. I know you think you know what the perfect time is – but you can’t see all. He can! And He knows just how and when to move into action on your behalf.
I. Sometimes we even wonder if He is hearing our cries of desperation! We wonder if He will ever speak or move on our behalf. But, our patience and faith in His plan will allow Him to operate accordingly.
J. Think of it this way. Think of a court trial. If it’s a jury trial – the judge speaks very little – if at all during the trial. For the most part – the judge just sits and watches and listens to what is being said and done.
K. Or, think back to when you were in school and had to take a test. The teacher is always silent when you’re taking a test. There’s a reason for that!
L. Folks, it’s not any different with God! When we are facing trials in our life – it may seem like God is not speaking to us –but He’s listening, watching and waiting for the precise moment to act! When we’re in the midst of a spiritual test – He may be silent. But why? What is He waiting for? Our faith and trust in Him! He’s waiting for us to be ready. I know when you’re in the midst of a trial – you might be shouting with all your might: “GOD I’M READY NOW!” But HE knows what’s going to happen in the next 5 minutes that may change that! He knows what is going to happen in the next few moments that may shift things in the spirit realm that you know nothing about! HE knows what others may do or say to mess things up worse for you if He acted too soon! He knows – so trust Him!
M. Jairus trusted Jesus in that he ran and fell at His feet. He had the faith to believe that all Jesus had to do was lay His hands on her and she would be ok!
N. But, his daughter’s deliverance was delayed. I know how it feels! I’ve been there! When you’re in the middle of a test or trial – the last thing you want is for the answer to be delayed! But folks – always remember – a delay doesn’t necessarily mean denial!
O. Just because God doesn’t answer us as soon as we want it doesn’t mean He won’t answer eventually – at the right time!
P. When the words of death were spoken over Jairus’ daughter – Jesus immediately responded to him and said: “whatever you do – right now – do not be fearful – just believe!”
Q. Jesus quickly spoke faith and hope over the words of doubt and fear.
IV. GET THE DOUBT OUT!
A. Two very important things to notice that took place before the miracle could come:
1)In order to see a miracle take place over your trial – you must first get the doubt OUT!
a. Look at what Jesus did. First of all, He spoke to Jairus as soon as the word of death was spoken and told him to have faith! He told him to not fear – but believe!
b. Fear and doubt are twin brothers. And together they will erode your faith if you allow them. You must increase your faith – you must always exercise your faith so that it will be stronger than absolutely any type of fear that could ever come into your life – even the fear of potential death!
c. How can my faith be increased? Romans 10:17 tells us. It says: “…faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
d. When we hear the Word of God spoken over our situation – our faith is increased!
e. Folks – you may not necessarily have a preacher at the moment a trial arises. And, while it’s possible –and been known to happen – you may not necessarily hear God’s spoken voice – but you CAN hear yourself speak the Word of God over you circumstance at any given moment!
f. Get the doubt out by speaking the Word of God in faith believing! What does God’s Word say about your situation?
2) The second thing Jesus did – notice verse 37 says He only allowed Peter, James and John to follow Him to Jairus’ house. He only allowed those to follow Him that He knew would operate in faith!
3) Next, notice He does something a little odd: Verse 38 states that when He arrives at Jairus’ house – there was a loud noise of those who were wailing and crying loudly. Now this was (and is) a tradition of that culture to show their grief and sorrow. It is custom for people to make a scene –if you will – when they are grieving.
4) I’m sure you’ve heard of the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem? To this day – Jews go to the Wailing Wall to pray and it is quite verbal.
5) Notice what Jesus does – being raised a Jew Himself and knowing the custom – He asked them: “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.”
6) I love reading the Amplified Version of the Bible – listen to these few verses in the Amplified: (beginning with verse 38): “When they arrived at the house of the ruler of the synagogue, He looked [carefully and with understanding] at [the] tumult and the people weeping and wailing loudly. And when He had gone in, He said to them, ‘Why do you make an uproar and weep? The little girl is not dead but is sleeping.’”
7) He understood why they were weeping loudly – but He asked anyway – because He also understood something that none of them understood. He knew that He was about to perform a great miracle on behalf of the faith of Jairus.
8) But not only did Jesus initially speak faith and hope into Jairus at the announcement of death – but notice what He does in verse 40.
9) When they jeered at Jesus for His statement that the girl was sleeping rather than dead – verse 40 says “He had put them all out.”
10) Who did He put out? Those who were speaking words of doubt!
11) Jesus put the doubt out!
B. Folks, there are people who’s sole purpose of being involved in your situation is to be the speaker of doubt. They are being used by the enemy and aren’t even aware of it!
C. They will speak ill against your faith in God. They will speak words of fear and doubt over you. And, you have two choices! You can choose to agree with them by speaking those same words! Or you can agree with God’s Word and begin to speak what God has already said over your situation!
D. This is why it is so important for you to know and study and read the Word of God daily! You can’t speak God’s Word over your situation in faith if you don’t know it! And, if you don’t know it and can’t speak it - your faith cannot be increased as often as it should!
E.***Part of walking in covenant with God – part of living a covenant lifestyle that we spoke of last week – is knowing the will of God! Folks, God’s Word IS His last will and testament! You never have to guess what He’s thinking because He’s already spoke it and it’s been written down for your reference!
F. Some of you need to get the doubt out of your lives! And that just might mean telling someone else to stop speaking words of doubt and fear over your situation! Sometimes you’ve got to get bold if you want to see a miracle take place!
G.It was a BOLD move for Jairus – in his high position – to fall to his knee and bow at the feet of Jesus – the One whom his church leaders were plotting to execute.
H. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God! You might think, “Pastor, sometimes I just don’t even know ‘what’ word to speak over this situation!” Speak THE WORD over your situation – John tells us that Jesus is the Word! When you don’t know what else to say – just say Jesus!
I. The fact is- for every life trial – someone has to speak words of life in contrary to the words of death that are spoken! It might as well be you!
J. Get the doubt out and speak words of life over your situation!
K. Even the Apostle Peter dealt with this. Look with me at Acts 9:36-41. It says: “At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and charitable deeds which she did. But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. [Notice – they weren’t content with a delay either – not sure why – she was already dead at this point]. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. [Verse 40, oddly enough, it was also verse 40 in Mark when Jesus put them out!] But Peter put them out, and knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’ And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive.”
L. Two very important things to point out here:
#1) When Doubt is Removed – New Life Begins!
#2) When Doubt is Out – Resurrection Power Comes In!
M.Let’s read the last 3 verses of our text again – the last 3 verses of Mark chapter 5 says: “Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, ‘Talitha, cumi,’ which is translated, ‘Little girl, I say to you, arise!’ Immediately the girl arose and walked for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement [who was overcome with amazement? Everyone that doubted. Every time God operates and performs His Word over your situation –just sit back and watch the doubters be amazed!]. But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.”
N. If you take the time – you’ll begin to notice that Jesus always takes care of any physical need you may have after He takes care of the spiritual need!
O. In fact, I was praying over this message the other day –this part in particular – when the Spirit of the Lord told me that where there is every physical need that exists there is also a related spiritual need.
P. So, what do you do in the case of a crisis? In the midst of a test or trial? Get the doubt out and begin to speak words of life over that situation, in Jesus’ name! And then patiently wait and watch God operate! And resurrection power will come in!
