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
-- Name it and claim it supposes God answers to you … and she’s come to Him
--We cannot proceed with: “Lord, I’m gonna say it, so You’re gonna do it …”
∆ Point 3 – Arise! (35-43)
- And while all this happens, Jarius receives word that his daughter has died
-- I wonder what is going through his mind now, esp. in light of verse 35
-- Cue the “party poopers” once again: “No sense in believing in Him now …”
-- APP: Jesus, knowing this, answers in perfect timing: v36, “Just believe”
-- His answer is to tell Jarius to continue believing, don’t start doubting now
- He then takes Jarius, and His inner circle, to where the girl is lying
-- What they enter is a scene straight out of “How to mourn properly …”
- Jewish custom required them to have mourners there, and they have a job to do
-- Customs included wailing, flute players, tearing of clothes/hair
-- It really was a spectacle to behold; even the poorest were required to do this
--- Side note: This is Jewish custom … do we need help being sad???
- Jesus assess the situation and (v39) really just cuts to the heart of the matter
-- In response, He brings laughter (v40) but there’s nothing funny here
-- Using the word asleep is the same word He used in John 11:11, “After he had said this, he went on to tell them, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.”
-- APP: What Jesus is saying is that He is en route to bring him back to LIFE!
--- It really has a deep theological position here about Jesus’ power and our finality
- The laughter in the room was from unbelief, and Jesus is about to seal that
-- “Talitha Koum!” (Arise, child!)
-- I have to say, this is probably the coolest thing they will see THAT day too
-- She is dead, no life in her, and Jesus SPEAKS (do you see that) life! POWER!
-- Even more: (v41), Jesus shuns the purity laws of not touching a dead body
-- APP: He isn’t concerned with the laws of man; but stands on His holiness!
- Are you seeing what I am seeing here?
-- Last time we saw him heal a man of demonic possession
-- Today we see Him bring life back into a dead body
-- Verse 42 is probably an understatement in all of this … astonished!
- Jesus’ concern with them being silent is only due to their location (v43)
-- They are in a Messianic region where His healing could be taken as evil
-- Remember, He’s already been accused of being Satanic (see Mark 3:22)
- Lastly, even in this girl’s resurrection, Jesus shows complete concern for her
-- Get her some food (v43) for surely she’s hungry (been sick, needs nourishment)
- TRANS: Let’s recap Ch 5 for a moment in an attempt to really grasp all this
∆ Big Ideas
- 1) When we admit we need God, He is the One who comes and forgives us
-- The demonic man had a need; it is why Jesus traveled to see Him in the tombs
- 2) Our relationship to Christ must NOT be a secret; should be widely known
-- The demon possessed man was told to go testify what God had done
-- Go tell everything you have seen/heard to the Decapolis (10 city area)
- 3) For Christians, death is merely a passage to awakening by faith in Christ only!
-- Why? Because … we will be awakened by Him!
-- Phil 2:10-11, “… at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
-- The REAL question is … are we expecting that day now … or are avoiding it?
- Pray
