Series – Miracles in Mark
Pt. 3 - “The Last Word”
Mark 5:21-24, 35-43
Scripture Reading (35-43)
Three weeks ago we looked at the power that Jesus has over the demonic world. He cast 2,000 demons out of the maniac of Gadara. The results for this man were transformative for we see him cleansed, clothed and composed at the feet of Jesus. Two weeks ago we examined the Lord’s power over disease. As we observed earlier we all need to be reminded that nothing is impossible with Jesus. There are no limitations of his power. In some cases He touches and in some they touch him; in others He instructs them to observe certain aspects of the Mosaic Law; but in the majority of cases He simply speaks the word. In any case Jesus exercises absolute power no matter what the problem might be. This morning we see the ultimate expression of the Lord’s power over the natural world when He raises the daughter of Jarius from the dead. Let’s read the text and see what we can learn…
I. The Father’s Plea
We know from our study of chapter five that Jesus displayed power over the demonic world. He could do what even his disciples could not do. He also exercises complete control over all manner of diseases. No matter what the illness or sickness was He healed it. Over and over the gospels emphasis that He healed “all” that were brought to Him, all! The healings were complete and immediate. Jarius whose name means “God enlightens” comes to Jesus because he has heard of the miracles performed by this young Rabbi. Let’s see what we can learn about him from the text:
a. His background
We are told that Jarius is a “ruler of the sysnagogue” meaning that he has a position of power, prestige and privilege. We can see his desperation in the fact that very few religious leaders were willing to be seen with Jesus. We know that Nicodemus was not willing to be seen with Jesus except under the cover of darkness and Joseph of Arimathea came forward only after the Lord’s death so this is very unusual.
b. His behavior
Notice how this proud religious ruler falls prostrate at the feet of Jesus in humility and submission. This act on his part tells us that he held Jesus in the very highest esteem. His pride is nonexistent because of his concern for his daughter. This is very unusual on many levels, not the least of which is that girls where treated differently from boys in a Jewish family. Jewish parents want male children and girls were considered less important but for this man it is different. He obviously loves his daughter and he is willing to do anything to help her.
c. His belief
The Lord said “"Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."
Mark 9:23
"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else."
Lewis, C.S.
“God has decreed and ordained natural law, but it is not impossible for God to STEP IN and transcend the laws which He Himself has made. Parents transcend their laws in the home. A wise parent may say to a son, “You must be in by eleven o’clock tonight or suffer certain consequences.” The boy may return at twelve but explains to his father the reason for his being late and expresses sorrow at the worry caused. The father who made the law can certainly forgive the transgression of his law. The God of heaven is certainly within the province of His own law of love when He steps in on occasions and intervenes or transcends His own law. God Steps In when His children have faith to ask Him and their asking is within the province of His divine will. But if we have no faith, then everything moves along according to the laws already set in motion.”
Harold W. Boyer
Again when we look at the narrative this father pleads with the Lord to heal his child. The KJV says that he, “besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed, and she shall live.” Note that when he left his home his daughter was still alive and where there is life there is hope; right? We are told that the Lord went with him and a multitude followed them…
II. The Daughter’s Problem
a. Her prognosis
She was literally “at the point of death” or in the agonies of death as some commentaries translate this phrase. She is dying. We do not know the cause or what the illness was but there was a sense of urgency in the father’s request. He is emphatic and you almost hear the emotion in his voice. We can also assume that the best medical care available had been summoned to help her but to no avail and these parents had heard the dreadful truth that there was nothing more to be done, but God. The father felt certain that if Jesus did not help her, there was only one possible outcome.
b. Her passing
Before Jesus finishes with His comments to the woman who had been healed when she touched the hem of His garment, a runner, probably a house servant sent for the specific purpose of bringing news to the ruler brings the worst possible news: your daughter is dead, “why troublest thou the Master any further. What they did not know or did not have the faith to believe is that when other avenues fail, Jesus never fails. When everyone else is going out, Jesus is coming in!
III. The Savior’s Power
a. His Word of Comfort
“To believe in God’s love is to believe that He’s passionately interested in each of us personally and continually.”
Jesus looked around at the tear stained faces and the broken hearted father and mother, their only child was dead, and He spoke words of comfort to them.
The Lord speaks to the family and the mourners who were present and He says two things. First, He tells the family to ‘…be not afraid…” or be courageous. Fear is our great enemy. God has not given to us the spirit of fear.
LIFTING THE FEAR
A story is told of a child who had to walk each evening past a dark, spooky house. Some adults sought to give him courage. One handed him a good luck charm to ward off the ghosts. Another had a light put on the dreaded corner. Still another said earnestly, "It is sinful to be afraid. Trust God and be brave!" The advice was good, but he offered nothing more.
Then someone said with compassion, "I know what it is to be afraid. I will walk with you past the house." He did nothing to remove the fear--except to lift it from the child's shoulders and place it on his own.
Next Jesus said “…only believe…” or have faith. The Bible says that “without faith it is impossible to please God.” Faith in Him and the power of His word is essential, it is critical, it is absolutely necessary. Nothing can happen in the spiritual realm without It.
Have faith in God when your pathway is lonely.
He sees and knows all the way you have trod;
Never alone are the least of His children;
Have faith in God, have faith in God.
Have faith in God when your prayers are unanswered,
Your earnest plea He will never forget;
Wait on the lord, trust His word and be patient,
Have faith in God. He'll answer yet.
Have faith in God in your pain and your sorrow,
His heart is touched with your grief and despair;
Cast all your cares and your burdens upon Him,
And leave them there, oh, leave them there.
Have faith in God though all else fall about you;
Have faith in God, He provides for His own:
He cannot fail though all kingdoms shall perish.
He rules. He reigns upon His throne.
Refrain:
Have faith in God, He's on His throne,
Have faith in God, He watches over His own;
He cannot fail, He must prevail,
Have faith in God, Have faith in God.
b. His Word of Correction
We can’t help but notice the unbelief of those who were present when Jesus makes this statement in verse 40. Unbelief is the root of all sin and it is the sin that makes us all guilty before God and it is the sin that prevents us from seeing the power of God on display. One commentator making the following statement concerning the Lord’s declaration:
“Jesus is not lying, and cannot lie, so we need to understand this statement carefully. A special use infers a special meaning; the girl is dead, but Jesus intends her condition to be impermanent like sleep. As creator of the universe and performer of miracles that break the laws of nature, Jesus intends the girl to rise and therefore her condition is like that of sleep. He doesn't misrepresent reality; He changes it and uses language that reflects the new reality.”
According to Jewish tradition the spirit of the deceased person would stay close to the body for a certain amount of time but at some point the spirit would leave. One tradition states that for a period of three days the spirit would state close to the body but leave on the fourth day. It was thought that on the fourth day only the Messiah could raise the individual from the dead as in the case of Lazarus who had been dead for four days.
c. His Word of Command
In this final scene we have the father and mother, Peter, James, and John and Jesus in the room with the dead child. Let’s read verse 41-42 again…
“41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.”
#1 – Talitha cumi which is Hebrew means “…little girl, arise…”
#2 – Keep this in confidence
#3 – Give her something to eat
Conclusion: Some might ask, Pastor why is this story so important? Depending on which account you read there were 4-5 individuals who were raised from the dead by Jesus. Someone said that the Lord “broke up every funeral He attended…” The time that they were dead varied from a few minutes to four days. This power to raise the dead foreshadowed the Lord’s own resurrection and ultimately points to the resurrection of all the death at the Lord’s second coming.
ILL - One night a house caught fire and a young boy was forced to flee to the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, “Jump! I’ll catch you.” He knew the boy had to jump to save his life. All the boy could see, however, was flame, smoke, and blackness. As can be imagined, he was afraid to leave the roof. His father kept yelling: “Jump! I will catch you.” But the boy protested, “Daddy, I can’t see you.” The father replied, “But I can see you and that’s all that matters." (Source unknown)
We have seen the Lord’s power to defeat demonic activity, to command and control the demons themselves; we’ve seen His power to cure every manner of illness or disease, completely and instantaneously; and we have seen His power over our great enemy, death. He has broken it’s power and all that remains for those who love and trust Him is it’s shadow. But there is one thing more and that is His power to take a man, woman, boy or girl who is dead in trespasses and sins and give them new life.
The prodigal in Luke 15 came to his father and said, "I want to be free. Give me what is mine." Then he wandered into the far country, saying, "I’m free! I’m free!" However, his freedom was brief. His friends left him when his money ran out, and he found himself enslaved to a Gentile taskmaster and to a group of hogs in the hog mire. It was not until he came home and submitted to the father that he really found freedom.
Ray Searan
Listen to the words of the Father when he came home: “My son was lost but now is found, was dead but now is alive. “
