Scripture:
Mark 5:21-43 NKJV
[21] 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. [22] And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet [23] 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.” [24] So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. [25] Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, [26] and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. [27] When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. [28] For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” [29] Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. [30] And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” [31] But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” [32] And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. [33] But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. [34] And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” [35] 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?” [36] As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” [37] And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. [38] Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. [39] When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” [40] And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying. [41] Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” [42] Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement. [43] But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.
Observation:
I don’t always know why the Holy Spirit brings me to a specific set of verses to write about, but this morning this is where we have landed. What I’m hoping for is that GOD’S word will have an impact on the lives of those who take the time to read this. After almost 16 years of doing all I can to hang on to Jesus, I know how easy it is to begin to get somewhat complacent. That’s not an area I want to be, I hope you are of the same mindset. Let’s see what the scripture has to say to us this morning. The Holy Spirit has chosen a lot of verses to process this morning and I will do my best to get through them. What I notice right off the bat is that there are two situations being dealt with here. One includes a ruler of the synagogue named Jairus. Who seems to have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Jesus. His desperation is made evident as soon as the SAVIOR makes HIS appearance. Falling at HIS feet and begging HIM, “My little daughter lies at the point of death.” Jairus knew that the answer to this issue had just shown up, He had more than likely heard all about what had been happening through the life and ministry of Jesus Christ. “Come lay your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” He knows that Jesus is the answer. His desperation not only saw that but had brought him to a point where he fell at HIS feet knowing that HE was the only hope. The second situation I see is much like the first. A moment of desperation in a woman’s life whose name is not mentioned. A woman who has an issue that she had been dealing with for a number of years. An issue that put her in a really interesting position. The blood that would not stop flowing was an instrument of isolation, making her unclean and therefore unable to participate in life. The doctors had no answers and at this point she had no other options. Her life savings had been depleted seeking answers that only left her more desperate for answers. I’m sure she had also heard about Jesus, the word about HIM had traveled quietly. In her mind much like the mindset of Jairus, she knew that Jesus was the answer, but how, she was unclean, she wasn’t supposed to touch anyone. But maybe just maybe if she could just touch HIS garment, just the hem, not enough for anyone to notice, not the arm or sleeve, just the hem, down at the bottom. As she pressed through the crowd knowing that the answer was walking by. She grabbed for a string at that very moment, a woman whose name we will never know had the kind of faith to make an impact on our lives today. As the healing fell over her body, she knew it, she felt it, all the medicine, all the doctor’s with no answers, in seconds healing was had. One moment of hanging on by a thread changed her life. Now it was time for all to know what had happened. As Jesus turned and said who touched me. We know the rest of the story. Her faith in just brushing up against HIM, did what no one else could. What a power-packed moment. But it’s not over. There is another situation running parallel to this one, as those attached to Jairus start to tell him not to bother Jesus, what looked like the end had come for his little girl had come. She had died. The statement that Christ made had more of an impact than the one that was made by those who had said she was gone. It’s the one the Jairus held on to, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” A statement that turned desperation into hope. After seeing the healing that had just taken place Jairus knew that not only could it happen, in his mind it already happened. Jesus said so…. Just believe…. faith… That’s what it took for the woman, and that’s what it would take for his daughter. As they approached, Jesus saw all those around who believed that there was no hope, telling them to go away. He took only a select few, only the ones who HE knew had faith to believe in what was about to happen. Another faith shaking statement was made, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” As the unbelief came at HIM through ridicule and sarcasm, HE pushed that out and told the little girl to get up, and she did. Raised to new life through one moment of desperately seeking Jesus.
Application:
Over the last several weeks, I have become familiar again with what it feels like to be hanging on by a thread. The desperation in my life has grown to a point that I know all I have is Jesus. HE is our only hope. The thoughts that have come and gone and come again our overwhelming at times, and all I can do is hold on to what I have spent the last several years installing not only into my life but the lives of others. Faith is more than just words. It’s action. The enemy knows that, and he is going to press against what you say you believe. Our desperation is what pushes us to do one of two things. We are either going to reach for Jesus or we are going to run from HIM. I want to be the kind of person who just stays tucked up next to him, and I do my best to do so, but there are times when doubts and fears have to be turned into a moment of running to HIM. After 16 years of walking with HIM what I know is that there is never a time when we will be able to let go of HIS garment. A moment when we are holding on by a thread, a moment where what others are saying only feeds doubt and unbelief, a moment when those people will have to be put aside so we can hang on to HIM and what HE has said. Our faith in HIS words is what the enemy comes against. Placing pressure against it. If you really believe what GOD’S word says you will take action on it. Like I said over the last few weeks the enemy has done HIS best to get me to cave… and I’m going to be honest there have been moments when I have thought…things that I should not. I have had to put GOD’S word into practice… taking those thoughts captive, and bringing them into the obedience of Christ. I want to take a moment and make some faith statement over everyone reading this, you are heard, you are seen, you are redeemed, you are set free, every chain in your life has been broken, every demon has been sent into the pigs, you can see clearly, you are more than a conquer, a mighty man or woman of valor, you have been restored, you are no longer a slave to sin but a bondservant to the righteousness of Christ, you are sanctified, set apart, you have work to do for the kingdom, you are full of joy, peace, hope, and love, it may seem like you are holding on by a thread but take heart…. It’s the hem of HIS garment, and it has made you whole. You are no longer missing anything. You have been made whole through Christ.
Prayer:
Father, you know exactly where we are. You know every situation of desperation. You know every thought. We pray today that we will see ourselves the way you see us. We know that life gets overwhelming, and unbelief can be contagious. We pray today that the faith you have given us would prove to all those who are around us that it is not in vain. You are a redeemer and a restorer. You can do way more than we could ever ask or imagine. We pray today that you would restore our relationships that have been damaged. I know it may seem impossible, but we are desperate. We need you to step in and do what only you can do. Let your words ring in the ears of those involved. Knock the walls down around our hearts. Forgive us for where we have fallen short, and help us to see our part. Heal us redeem us in the mighty name of Jesus we pray amen.