“Coming Home”
Mark 5:21-43
One of my heroes in Scripture is the great apostle Paul. Of the 27 books in the New Testament, we believe at least 13 were written by him. About one half. One of those was his letter to the church in Ephesus and in chapter 3 and verse 20 he says this... “Now to HIM who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or imagine.” You may be like me when it comes to prayer... I can ask for a lot and I can imagine even more—yet the Scripture says I cannot ask for or imagine more than God is able to do. Remember his thoughts are higher than our thoughts... His ways are higher than our ways. Now that is a powerful promise ... God is able to do more than we can imagine. With that in mind I want to begin with a question this morning. When you think of home, what comes to mind?
When I think of home several things come to mind...
• I think of a house in Arkansas that I grew up in-my mother lived there for over 50 years. A very modest home. I shared a very small bedroom with my 3 brothers. It was a wonder we didn’t kill each other but it was our home.
• Now of course I think of our home here where we have lived for 22 years.
• Home is more than a structure— I think of these little guys— our four children we raised in that home and of course I think of this woman-because she made that house into a home.
Webster defines home as the place where one lives permanently. And the word home means this... no matter where you are, no matter what happens to you, no matter what circumstances you might face, you have a place to go. Home means security. Now as I say that this morning, I recognize that some of you feel like you do not have a home to go to. Others grew up in a home where you did not feel very safe. So let me begin this morning with a very important truth. In the eyes of God, home is not a place. In the eyes of God, home is a person. Home is in the presence of Jesus.
There’s something deeper that I want you to understand about that truth. We look forward to being in the presence of Jesus in heaven one day -- but it’s just as important that we understand this — we can live in the presence of Jesus right now.
This is perhaps one of the most powerful stories in Scripture to me because the two people who Jesus interacts with come from two completely different backgrounds -one from a nice, comfortable home and one from a home that was filled with pain. Two very different backgrounds but both of them recognized the same truth-home is in the presence of Jesus and home is where they needed to be. Both of them needed to come home. The passage begins here.
Mark 5:21-24.
Jairus was a man that everyone knew. He was a leader, an elected leader of the local synagogue. And as a result, he would’ve had strong ties with the Pharisees; most of whom despised Jesus. If you wanted to be on good terms with the Pharisees, you couldn’t associate with Jesus. But Jairus is desperate. It might cause problems, it may put his life in danger but he knew one thing-if I am going to find help for my daughter-I’ve got to get in the presence of Jesus. You see, Jairus’ daughter -12 years of age was dying and like any loving parent, he is looking for answers, solutions. He has done all he can; he has no doubt used his status in the community- his connections-but still his daughter is dying. Jairus couldn’t heal his daughter but he knew someone who could. So the text tells us in verse 23, when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet and begged Jesus to come to this house and heal his daughter. Have you ever begged Jesus to do something? This father did. I have. Don’t mind admitting it. And Jesus said yes and he went with him.
Verses 25-26
Now at this point the second character in the story emerges. There are two main characters in this story. We’re not told much about her except that she is very sick and has been for some time. This woman has been bleeding for 12 years which meant that according to Jewish customs, she was unclean. This also meant that anyone who came into contact with her before sundown; they were also considered to be unclean. She was the opposite of Jairus in every way. Look at this….
• As a woman she was a second-class citizen. Jairus was of course a man.
• She was overlooked; ignored; he was respected.
• From all indications she was alone; he had a family.
• She has been in a desperate state for 12 years-his daughter is in a desperate state and she is just 12 years old. These two were miles apart.
These are two very different people-but both in desperate need of a home-a home in the presence of Jesus.
This church is made up of a huge variety of people. Very different. Turn to your neighbor and tell them-you’re different. Lots of different backgrounds-different struggles-different levels of brokenness but we all share this in common. All of us need to make our home in the presence of Jesus. The text goes on... Mark 5:27-34
Both Jairus and this woman was an issue wide set aside everything-nothing else mattered anymore and here is why: (next truth)
When we make our home in Jesus, Jesus feels our brokenness.
Now remember who came to Jesus first here. Jairus came to him and requested that he come and heal his daughter who was dying. On his way to do that very thing, Jesus is met with another opportunity. Another problem. Another need. So here’s the point. Jesus could have just said, I’m busy-a child is dying-I am needed over here-he could have just continued on his way without even acknowledging the woman. In fact, I think the disciples were probably confused at this point because Jesus is on his way to another location-an emergency – and then he stops in the middle of this large crowd-people pressing in and he asks-who touched me?
Most of us would not respond as Jesus did. If we are on our way to an emergency -a child’s life was at stake but notice that on his way to do something good, Jesus stops to do something else that is also good. Here’s another truth I want you to understand. We are involved in God’s work, there are no interruptions; only opportunities. There are many opportunities we miss because we’re always in such a hurry. When there was a need Jesus make time for it. The last thing this woman was, was an interruption in His schedule.
Another truth. Jesus looks for her (makes time for her) because he knows that her brokenness not just physical. The past 12 years she would’ve been known by others, not by her name but by the fact that she was broken, physically. Because of her sickness she would’ve been isolated-that was Jewish custom. She had spent all her money trying to get well-Mark tells us this in verse 25--but instead of getting better she had only gotten worse. This story is found in two of the other Gospels and Luke indicates that she didn’t want to be found-she hid from Jesus. Some of us can resonate with that. You have a need but you are afraid to bring it to Jesus. You’re broken. But let me tell you, you’re not broken beyond repair. So Jesus looks for her. See that? Verse 32. He looks for her just as he looks for you and for me. And he finds her-when she drops to her knees right in front of Him. Then Jesus says the words, “daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” Not only does Jesus heal her physical brokenness, he also heals her emotional brokenness. This woman who had only been known by her sickness now becomes a person. He calls her daughter. An outsider in the community, shunned by nearly everyone in with just one word-now she becomes family. The text continues.
Mark 5:35-40.
So, just as Jesus is speaking this message of life to the woman who had been healed, this message of death comes to Jairus. Messengers arrive and Jesus overhears them -- too late to save his daughter. Jesus then says-don’t be afraid-just have faith. Let me remind you, the news is bad but Jairus is still in the presence of Jesus. He could still hear Jesus speak. If he had not stayed in the presence of Jesus, the story could’ve turned out very different. The presence of Jesus is where we need to be. The presence of Jesus is where we need to stay. The presence of Jesus is where we need to get to. The situation is dark, almost hopeless but Jesus gives him hope. No matter what you might be facing today, Jesus still offers us hope. Look what happens. Jesus arrives-everyone is grieving. Jesus sends them all away-except for the parents and three of his disciples. It’s like you guys stay – the rest of you you’re in time out!
Mark 5:40-43.
Jesus tells her to get up and this little girl, who was just pronounced dead, comes back to life. Know this. For the believer, death is not the end of our story. Jesus offers hope where there is no hope.
• Some of you no doubt feel hopeless today.
• Some of you feel like you are in a hopeless marriage. Relationship.
• Some have family members who are far away from God right now.
• Some of you need new life today.
Listen. Home is where the presence of Jesus is. And that’s what he wants all of us to be. For all believers, day will come when we will live in an eternal home with Jesus. Home is where the presence of Jesus is in the presence of Jesus is where we need to be.
Much of this sermon was borrowed from City on a Hill in their I can only imagine series.
