GOOD NEWS PRESENTED BY MARK
Study of the Gospel According to Mark
As you read Mark, be aware that you are reading the very first written account of the ministry of Jesus – a fact well documented by credible Bible scholars. Quite naturally, we want to know who Mark was, and we find that he is mentioned frequently in the New Testament.
What we know about him is that he was the son of a very well-to-do woman in Jerusalem; her name was Mary, and her home became the center of early church get-togethers. So, you can imagine that Mark was there when Jesus’ closest followers came to his mother’s house for a “church council” meeting. Peter the chief elder referred to Mark affectionately as “my son.”
Mark was also the nephew of Barnabas who talked Paul into letting the youngster go with them on one of their missionary journeys - which, you may recall, resulted in Mark’s falling out of favor with Paul by leaving and going back home. However, it’s interesting to note that, years later, when Paul was in prison, facing execution, he asked Timothy to bring Mark with him, “for he is a most useful servant to me.”
I suppose Paul saw in this young man a Christian who had the ability to write; and, apparently having redeemed himself, he could now be counted on to carry out Paul’s wishes. This explanation is plausible because Mark had served as Peter’s scribe and, as such, had written much of what Peter related to him about his eye witness account of the ministry of Jesus.
MARK SERMON IV– MARK 5:21-43 . . .
MEETING A NEED ON THE WAY TO MEETING A NEED
“We have to be there for them in their hour of need.” Thus spoke the President of the United States following the catastrophic earthquake in Haiti that killed tens of thousands of Haitians. If we Americans do not come to the aid of untold numbers of victims, who will?
Regardless of political, cultural or religious persuasion, people who really care respond to the best of their ability in the “hour” of their fellowman’s need.
Not all victims of tragedy, and not all of those who respond to calls for help, are Christians; however, most Christians would certainly agree that to come to the aid of suffering human beings is indeed “what Jesus would do?" Motives for helping may differ from person to person, but our ultimate goal is to work together to help folks in need.
Jesus came into the world primarily to meet the need everybody has for salvation. Yet, He spent much of His ministry meeting spiritual, mental, physical and material needs – often taking time to meet a need while on His way to meeting a need.
One such instance occurred right after He came back from the place He had retreated to for what was supposed to have been a time of rest; but, as was the case with the ministry of Jesus, we have learned that, when it comes to meeting the needs of suffering people, there is no rest for the weary - Mark 5:21-24 . . .
As a general rule, when someone feels desperately in need of help, their request comes as a plea. “Please help me” may not be the exact words that come from their lips, but it is their intent. With regard to recognizing a plea for help, I have failed a number of times and have asked to be forgiven.
Jesus never failed to recognize a plea for help, nor did He fail to respond, regardless of who or where the plea came from, where He was, whether or not taking time to help would make Him late for an appointment. In this particular situation, He even made a detour; but, while en route, He became aware of yet another need, and took the time to respond to it.
Jairus - “a ruler of the Synagogue” – in charge of administrative affairs – was a man upset about his 12-year-old daughter’s illness, so he was willing to forget: his prejudice . . . the dignity of his position . . . his selfish pride - rather than send a messenger, the ruler himself came to Jesus! Why?
Could it be that no family member or friend would “go out on a limb” on his behalf? Perhaps they believed it would do no good or they were afraid of being branded fools. Someone has said that “sometimes a person is wisest when his family and friends think he is acting a fool.”
Remember the Apostle Paul saying “I am a fool for Christ’s sake?” No doubt a ruler of the synagogue would be looked upon as a fool for going to ask a despised carpenter from Nazareth for help.
But who else in this dramatic turn of events was thought to be a fool? Mark 5:35-39 . . .
Jesus interrupted the mournful sounds and the wailing voices to ask a question that raised eyebrows; but then He made a stunning statement that changed the “mourners” to “scorners.” Can’t you hear folks whispering to one another “This guy is a fool”!
I suppose the most shocking news any of us ever hears is “Your loved one has died (passed away).”
Reactions range from speechlessness to anger to hysteria. Been there, done that! Yet, the “still, small voice” of the Spirit of Christ within us is a constant reminder of the presence of our Comforter. In times of distress, it is so reassuring to recall the words spoken to the ruler by Jesus: “Fear not, for I am with you; keep on believing.” Keep on believing!
Folks, in moments of distress, how comforting the words of our Lord to Martha, whose brother had died: “I am the resurrection and the life; he that believes in me though he is dead, yet shall he live; and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.” Resurrection!
The little girl had died; but then what happened? Mark 5:40-43 . . .
What a contrast between the despair of the mourners and the hope of Jesus! What a difference belief makes! Those who have no hope believe that death is the end. Jesus demonstrated divine power over death and therefore divine power to raise the dead.” What a beautiful picture of hope: Christ took her by the hand and said, “Arise!”
When I go through the door of death, I am expecting to be “taken by the hand” and led into glory land! Echoing in my mind at this very moment is His promise, “Because I live, you will live!” Resurrection unto new life!
What a contrast we see here between the distress of the mourners and the serenity of Jesus! While others wailed and pulled their hair and tore their clothing, Jesus remained calm and quiet - and in control.
Why the difference? Our Lord’s confidence and trust in Father God! We mortals shed tears of sorrow and work through stages of grief – all of which is normal – but, eventually, faith in Christ prevails and enables us to go on with life – “looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith”.
What a glorious hope Jesus gave to Jairus! But, wait a minute, on His way to the home of this ruler something else happened that brought glory to God and amazed the people --- Mark 5:25-29 . . .
Sounds like Mark took a jibe at the doctors of his day in much the same way we do today! Folks love to fuss about going to the family doctor only to have him or her refer them to any number of specialists!
Jesus was the suffering woman’s last hope. All the specialists had weighed in. All treatments had failed. All home remedies had been tried. All her money, time and energy had been spent.
Then she heard about the Great Physician! And just hearing about Him gave her hope. She felt that if Jesus could not help her, nobody could. If only she could get close enough to simply touch Him, she believed He would free her from the curse that had plagued her all her life. Only believe!
The words of a famous hymn express what the afflicted woman must have been feeling that day as she approached Jesus: “When other helpers fail and comforts flee, Helper of the helpless, abide with me.”
There’s more to this story, though, than the healing aspect of it; after all, the miracle of healing at this point in His ministry had become rather commonplace; so, what else do we see in this episode of meeting a need on the way to meeting a need? Mark 5:30-34 . . .
Healing the woman took something out of Jesus! This is a rule of life. Anytime we make a commitment to get involved in a great undertaking for God, we do so knowing that we will have to put something into it. Jesus was prepared to pay the price of helping others, and that price was His very life that He put on the line for the sake of mankind.
When the disciples asked Jesus why He needed to know who touched Him, it seems to me that once again these “learners” demonstrated a lack of insight into the concern Jesus had for the individual; they appeared to focus on the “crowds” rather than one-on-one situations; throughout His ministry, Jesus took time for dealing with specific needs of individuals. So must we!
Even though the woman felt terrified when Jesus asked that the one who had touched Him identify herself, she ceased to tremble in His presence - most likely because she realized that “Here is someone who understands!”
There is no need for any of us to tremble in the presence of our Lord. He understands our needs before we ask. His touch can make any and every one of us whole if we only trust Him; and the wholeness which Jesus Christ bestows is yours and mine for the asking and the doing. Amen.
