Mark 5 - 2.15.24
Mark 5: 35-36
S – 35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
O – I love the book of Mark and the way it presents so many vivid pictures of Jesus in action. We just finished reading in Mark 4 some of Jesus’ amazing parables regarding the 4 soils, faith of a mustard seed, and then read how Jesus calmed the waves and the storm. Here we read how Jesus sends a legion of demons into a herd of pigs and has them jump off a cliff, heals the bleeding woman and then restores a girl to life! It shows who Jesus is by his extreme compassion through all that he does. It’s a story of Jesus on the move…it’s a book of action! In this chapter he was literally on his way to heal one man’s daughter who was dying when the woman who was subject to bleeding all those years reaches out to touch him and receive her own healing. She knew she was unclean and shouldn’t touch him, yet she was desperate for God’s touch and healing. And He gave it to her because of her faith!
A – I love this scripture because this scene sounds so chaotic, with everyone coming at Jesus at once. There are massive amounts of people following him, people who are desperate for a touch of his hand. I love the picture I see of the sheer chaos in that moment. The desperation of the woman, as well as a father who was just told to leave Jesus alone, that it was too late, and his daughter was dead. At first, it appears devastating and unimaginable, but then the scene changes as Jesus oh so calmly tells this grief stricken and panicked father, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Wow! What if we approached all our troubles this way? I can’t pay this bill Jesus and I don’t know what to do…..but I BELIEVE you will make a way. Everything is so expensive now. How can my kids live/make it on their own…..Jesus I BELIEVE you will provide for them. I am so tired and can’t do another thing today….but I BELIEVE with you Jesus I can do anything.
The book of Mark is filled with story after story of Jesus doing miraculous things and just being a loving, compassionate man who wanted to bring hope and healing to the many he encountered. This should encourage us to believe, have faith and get moving and healing in the name of Jesus!
1 John 2:6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
Mark 16:17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues.
Mark 16:18b they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.
P – Jesus may we be a CHURCH who BELIEVES! Help us to know that all we need is that little bit of faith, as small as a mustard seed and that changes EVERYTHING. Help us to live as though we know it. To live in a way that other people see that we believe and that our hope is in you…and that when all the world around fails them, you won’t. Help us to believe in the small and the big miracles and to pray for everything. Thank you that you give us the same power you gave your son to heal the sick and thank you that you are with us and that you went before us to show us exactly what we need to do to be the hands and feet of Jesus today! Amen
- Crystal Flory
