Title: Two Desperate People
Theme: To show how Jesus cares about who we are no matter what our status is.
Text: Mark 5:22 - 33
Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. (Mar 5:21)
(This was after Jesus crossed over from healing the Manic. You may remember that from a few weeks ago where the man full of demons had been set free)
And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet (22) and begged Him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live." (23) So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. (24)
As Jesus experienced early on in His ministry the crowds pressed Him. He barley had room to move. They were trying to control His direction and the narrative. Yet God has other plans.
Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, (25) and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. (26) When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. (“hem of His garment” Matthew 9:20) (Mar 5:27)
Matthew 9:20 tells us that this was the “hem of His garment”. So this is the edge of what he was wearing. This is believed to be the prayer shawl that many of the devoted Jews wore. It represented their commit to God’s purpose, salvation and law.
For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." (28) Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. (Mar 5:29) And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" (30)
But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, Who touched Me?' " (Mar 5:31)
Luke 8:45 tells us that all denied it. The crowds of people all denied “touching” Jesus. You see there was something different about this touch. This touch was life changing.
And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. (32) But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. (33) And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." (34)
While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue's house who said, "Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?" (35) As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe." (36) And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. (37)
Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. (understand there were people who were paid to do this, they were paid to mourn and wail) (38) When He came in, He said to them, "Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping." (39) And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, (I love this. Jesus would not allow them to even be in the house. He would not allow their lack of faith to be around Him. Sometimes we have to shut people out of our life to receive what God has for us. People can cause us to doubt. Just as we learn from Numbers and the 12 spies. 10 of them caused the people to doubt) He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. (40)
Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise." (Mar 5:41) Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. (42)
But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat. (43)
Contrast of Characters (from e-sword commentary by Courson on Mark 5:22 – 26)
Of the crowd set to receive Jesus, Mark draws attention to two individuals…
• The most visible member of the community, Jairus was famous.
The woman was anonymous.
This is shown by how the two are received. As soon as Jesus gets off the boat Jarius had an audience with him. The crowds parted and let him come through. Yet this woman had to “press” her way through. She had to push through the crowd to get to Jesus.
• Jairus was wealthy.
The woman lived in poverty.
This is shown by Jarius being in the position he was. Yet she had lost everything just to gain her health. More than likely she had been taken advantage of. Trying every remedy.
• Jairus was the leader of the synagogue.
Because of her physical condition, the woman was forbidden from entering the synagogue.
They had probably never met. She could not be in the places he was.
• For twelve years, as his daughter grew, the house of Jairus was filled with laughter and joy.
For twelve years, the house of the woman was filled with misery and despair.
This is the most interesting contrast. The number twelve. Twelve years of excitement and joy. 12 years of pain and loss.
Yet we are given two people here. No matter where you are at on the spectrum. It could be a quick tradgey that happens or something you have been dealing with for years. No matter there is still a desperate need.
Courson: And so these two people—at opposite ends of the spectrum—waited for Jesus.
Like Jairus, you might be riding high. Your business might be booming. Your marriage might be blessed. Your family might be growing. Your body might be healthy. But you don't know what the next moment holds. Before the clock strikes midnight tonight, you might find yourself totally, unexpectedly in the middle of a major tragedy. You and I do not know what the next moment holds. You who are Jairuses right now, realize this: Like this man, the next moment might bring tragedy into your world.
Conversely, if, like the woman, you have either been going through an endless stream of setbacks or one persistent problem, you don't know what the next hour holds. The next moment might bring you a miracle of astounding proportion. Pondering this keeps me from complacency when I feel like I'm in Jairus' sandals, and from despairing when it seems like I'm standing in the woman's shoes. Both of their stories remind me that the Lord is my Shield and my Protector. And if He allows difficulty, setback, or tragedy to come into my life, He will also be my Glory and the Lifter of my head (Psa_3:3).
Similarities.
Both were desperate for help from Jesus.
Jarius rushes the shore to meet Jesus as the crowds come. He waists to no time.
The woman presses her way through the crowd to get to Jesus. Fighting her way through the people. Pressing in. This is a strong word. It is action of desperation. A lunging.
Both risk something
Jarius a synagogue rules risk his lively hood. He was a man who was a Jewish ruler. He was not suppose to be doing this.
This woman. She risk being out. The law says a woman in her condition was suppose to stay home.
Both received a touch from Jesus
Jarius through Jesus’ words “Do not be afraid, only believe”. Through the healing of his daughter.
The woman. Touching Jesus. Jesus’ forgiveness and peace.
Conclusion
This is an incredible scene. The woman first hears of Jesus. Then she desperately presses in toward Jesus. Risking it all to get healed. She touches Him at the “hem of His garment”. The fringes of the prayer cloth.
Jesus stops and says, “Who touched me?” Something had happened. “Somebody touched me, for I perceived the power going out of me.”
The crowd denies touching Him. I mean they had been pushing Him the whole time. Even Peter says, “Everyone has been touching you”. Yet this was different. This touch was different. It was a touch of faith.
There is something about this level of faith.
Praying in the Spirit
• “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18).
• “But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 1:20).
• “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:25-27).
• “What am I to do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray with my mind also; I will sing praise with my spirit, but I will sing with my mind also” (1 Corinthians 14:15).
Spirit and Truth John 4:4
Praying in the Spirit
1. Have Spirit led prayers
2. Pray until you sense the leading of the Spirit
3. Pray in tongues. Paul 1 Cor 14:15 “I will pray in the Spirit and I will pray with understanding also.
I encourage you to not quit praying until you feel a connection of the Spirit. I am not asking you to try to explain and we sometimes do. This is not about a comparable experience this is about touching the throne of God.
