In Jesus Holy Name June 30, 2024
Text: Mark 5:28, 41 Pentecost VI Redeemer
“The Authority of Jesus Gives Freedom”
(read the text)
“56 men in wool suits and high collars met for weeks in cramped quarters in the hot, muggy, Philadelphia, June of 1776. The windows were nailed shut lest spies report on their discussions. They argued about taxation, slavery, and big states vs. small states. But one mission became clear - the need for independence and freedom from English tyranny.
On July 4th, The Declaration of Independence was signed. Each year we celebrate the birth of our nation and the core values of what it means to be American. There will be parades. BBQ’s, and hopefully people will remember that the Declaration of Independence meant freedom for the 13 American colonies as they severed their political connections to Great Britain.
The Preamble to the Declaration of Independence begins: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Each Sunday in our journey through the Gospel of Mark, we know that Mark is asking his readers to answer these questions: 1. Who is Jesus? 2. Does Jesus have the authority of God to set people free from the tyranny of the devil, disease and the fear of death. The answer is yes.
In Mark 4 Jesus speaks to the storm and “it runs out of breath”. The disciples, who have witnessed hundreds if not thousands of miracles, themselves are forced to ask: “Who is this man, even the wind and waves obey him?” (Matthew 4) So, they, like all who encounter Jesus must make a decision: “is God in our boat?”
Mark is challenging the reader’s mind. Do you need more proof? Jesus has the authority to set people free from disease, and the fear of death. Here is what happened next…. Mark 5:21
“…. Jesus and the disciples crossed back over the lake to the Jewish side….” Another large crowd gathers. This time a synagogue ruler…Jairus
(chair-ruhs) came pleading for his daughter’s life. The other is a woman; out of respect for her health issues, the Bible does not record her name. But her illness makes her an outcast from community and family.
Jairus is the leader of the synagogue. That may not mean much to you and me, but in the 1st century the leader of the synagogue was the most important man in the community. The synagogue was the center of religion, education, leadership, and social activity. The leader of the synagogue was the senior religious leader, the highest-ranking professor, the mayor, and the best known citizen all in one.
Jairus has it all. Job security. A guaranteed welcome at the coffee shop. A pension plan. Golf every Thursday and an annual all-expenses-paid trip to the national convention. Who could ask for more? Yet Jairus does. In fact, he would trade the whole package of perks and privileges for just one assurance—that his daughter will live. He knew Jesus could free his daughter from an illness that was snuffing out her breath.
You can hear the plea in the voice of Jairus’ wife: “Go find the Rabbi! Hurry!”
On the other hand, the hemorrhaging woman in the crowd was a social outcast. Everything in her life was forbidden. She could not cook for her family. She could not hold her children. She was considered unclean as one who was under the judgment of God and therefore not allowed to set foot in the synagogue. She had been impoverished by the doctors who could not cure her. Jesus was her last hope, her only hope to find freedom. “If only I touch His clothes I will be healed.” She said.
Falling down at the feet of Jesus, Jarius begged Jesus to come to his house because his only daughter (who was about 12 years of age) was gravely ill and dying. Jesus agreed to go with him. There is no talk of insurance policies; no scheduling of an appointment. Marks simply states: “Jesus went with him.”
The distance is short. The crowd was close, slowing their progress. How impatient the father must have been. The clock was ticking, every moment was important. As they went, people began to press in around Jesus. The New English Bible puts it dramatically: "He could hardly breathe for the press of the crowds." The people were so excited to be near the master that they were pushing and shoving and crowding in close to Him.
Suddenly a hand reaches out and touches the tassel on the robe of Jesus. He stops, looks around and asked: “Who touched me?” What a foolish question, his disciples thought.
Jesus was not going to be put off. He wanted to know. So he waited. Finally a woman confesses what she has done. For twelve years this woman had been excommunicated from the Temple and from the synagogue, form every religious place of assembly, divorced from her husband, shut out from her family, ostracized by society.
She had endured incurable illness, social isolation, constant pain, financial poverty and personal humiliation. It is hard to imagine a more pitiful situation. In the words of one writer, she had been among the “living dead” for twelve long years. She just touched the tassel on His clothing…Her touch of Jesus brought instant healing. Freedom. He knew. She knew.
Twice in this story Jesus is touched and touches someone ritually and
ceremonially unclean. Not only is Jesus not contaminated, the ones who had been contaminated to begin with are made holy and whole. Jesus has crossed the boundaries that had once defined the Jewish community, rules of pious associations, ritual purity, Sabbath rules are broken or the sake of God’s love.
The crowd had stopped…. Jairus is waiting. I don’t know if he saw the men coming… but their words were cold: “Your daughter is dead, don’t trouble the teacher, don’t trouble this miracle worker anymore…..” What they meant: “We know that this prophet Jesus can heal people… but no one can raise someone from the dead. Jesus ignored the men. In effect Jesus said…”wait and see….then you can decide whether or not I possess God’s authority….not only to forgive sins….but to raise the dead!
These miracles are “lightning-flashes” illuminating that fact that Jesus does possess the “power of God.” These signs and miracles which God works through Jesus are like knockings at the gate of one’s heart. You must make a decision about Jesus and the reign, the rule of God. All of the contemporaries of Jesus, whether disciples, brothers or sisters, Pharisees or religious and political leaders, they all believed that Jesus worked miracles. They just explained his deeds in different ways…. Acts of God… or of Satan.
Anyone of us who have been close to a family that has lost a loved one to death, know that our words are inadequate. We do not have the authority to speak the words of Jesus that Mark records in the 41st verse of chapter 5. Two words: “Talitha cumi.” “Talitha cumi”. “Little girl, get up”. The touch of Jesus brings the little girl back to life.
Jesus knew, that at the moment of her physical death her soul, her spirit was separated from her body. She was at that moment in eternity at the Lord’s side in heaven. Jesus just calls her “spirit” back… for a time. (read Luke 8:52-53) He did the same for Lazarus. Why? To prove He has the authority over death. Soon His own death on a cross would be followed by His promise to rise from death with a glorified resurrected body. (Christians Dogmatics F. Pieper Volume III 507-511)
In a small village news travels fast. Jesus does not agree with the words of the men. Who said…”it’s too late, don’t come.” The house was filled with relatives, friends; everyone was crying. Jesus said….”the little girl is sleeping”, Jesus, the parents and a few disciples went to the side of the girl who still lay upon her deathbed. Jesus broke the silence. He reached down and took her hand. He touched her. He spoke. “Little girl get up.” And she did. At the command of Jesus, death was forced to release its grasp upon this girl. She was free. When Jesus spoke, she began to breathe and her heart began to beat. Jesus came to do what the Son of God alone can do.
I love this story of Jarius and his daughter, because it reminds us that our soul never dies. The author to the book of Hebrews writes: “Since we have flesh and blood, (God) chose to come to earth and share our humanity.” His name was Jesus. “so that by his death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is the devil and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14-15)
I remember the promise of Jesus to the thief on the cross who also died when Jesus was crucified. The moment he closed his eyes on earth, he awoke in paradise, because Jesus said: “Today you will be with me in paradise.” The soul of the believer journeys home while the body of the believer awaits the resurrection. Paradise is the first stage of heaven. But it’s not the final version of heaven. It awaits the resurrected and glorified Lord’s return. (ibid) “Today,” Christ promised. No delay. No pause. No in between.
Here is what is going to happen to you and me. Upon death, our spirit will immediately enter into the presence of God. We will enjoy conscious fellowship with the Father and with those who have gone before. The Apostle Paul wrote:
“If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far” (Philippians 1:21-23) “Our citizenship is in heaven and we eagerly await our Savior’s return from there so that at the sound of the “trumpet call of God”, He will change our bodies to be fashioned like His glorious body.” This my friends is true freedom.
The Gospel of Mark is asking every one of his readers…..everyone in the village of Capernaum….you and me…. “Who do you say Jesus is?” Is Jesus who He says He is? Does Jesus possess the authority of God on earth?
He has cast out demons. He has healed every disease. He has calmed a stormy sea. He has forgiven sins… demonstrating the power of his words by telling a paralytic to “get up, take you mat and go home.” He has raised people from the dead. These are things only God can do?
When Jesus stood at the tomb of Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha, in the grave for four days… Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live (again) and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die.” Then Jesus asks Martha a simple question. “Do you believe this?”
I’m not saying that there are no more tears nor sadness and emptiness. What I am saying is that because of Jesus, pain, loss, death and the grave no longer have the final word. “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This is true eternal freedom. As the great hymn proclaims: “All fear is gone because He lives”.
The cross, the empty grave of Jesus changes everything.” The gospel is not simply about “principles of justice” (values and habits when practiced, bring peace to our lives and to those around us) but the gospel is about the person of Jesus, the very Son of God, born of the virgin Mary, who came to die for our sins, descended into hell, rose again on the third day, and is now seated with the Father. Now He lives His resurrection life in and through us by the power of the Spirit. (Leonard Sweet Jesus Manifesto)
Paul writes. My friends, my fellow Christians…”I do not want you to grieve like the rest of mankind who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him.” That’s why Jesus said the little girl is “sleeping”. He just brought her back to life and to the family for a time.
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus the author and perfecter of our faith.” Victory and freedom have been purchased for every believer.
