The Power Of God's Servant
Forgiving, Cleansing, Sending
Book of Mark Chapter 5
When we finished last week Christ Jesus had taught a great multitude with parables and He had begun with the most important parable of them all, the parable of the "Sower".
After this Jesus took some time to make sure that the chosen 12 had a clear understanding of what He had taught.
Shortly after this time Jesus informed these 12 that he wanted to go over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee from His location at Capernaum.
They had gotten into a small fishing boat without making any preparations and as happens on Galilee, a great wind caused experienced fishermen to fear for their lives while Christ Jesus slept in the rear of the boat where the Navigator would normally be.
After Jesus had rebuked the wind, and brought peace to the seas, these 12 and the other small boats in this company were all in "awe" of the Master.
With these things on their mind and Jesus continuing to rest, the boat came to Gadara:
*****Mar 5:1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
In the Book of Matthew these people are called the Gergesenes but we must not get confused. Gergesa was a small town on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee and it was in the district of Gadara which was a much larger city. Both accounts are correct.
It had been a wild and stormy night and this morning would not be much different!
We have just witnessed that, following Jesus, does not mean we will not have storms in our life, and we will now see, that even though we follow the Lord Jesus, it does not mean we can avoid the wickedness of this world!
What are the three greatest terrors of mankind?
Demons, Disease, and Death!
What makes a family"?
Man, Woman And Child!
Let's see these things unfold:
*****Mar 5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
Mar 5:3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
Again in the Book of Matthew, we see that two possessed men are mentioned, but this is also not a contradiction, because neither Luke nor Mark ever say that there was only one man.
We read that Jesus only dealt with the one that came to Him!
These tombs were natural caverns in the sides of rocks, containing cells in which dead bodies were placed. The entrances to these caverns were not sealed and could have been used for shelter for such a man as this man mentioned with the unclean spirit.
These tombs still exist today!
To understand this more clearly, we need to see the man behind the scenes. Satan had just tried to drown the Lord Jesus while He slept. Now Satan will try to have Him killed by this ferocious demoniac.
This was not just a man of passion and rage because of his circumstances.
This was not a victim of delusion nor criminally insane.
This was not just any man possessed.
This was a man tormented and driven by a vast number of evil spirits!
This man had not always been this way but he was now being used by Satan and he was tormenting this entire community.
The people in the area had tried to protect themselves because they had bound him and they had chained him but he had escaped every time.
*****Mar 5:4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
Mar 5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
Even Luke, who was a physician, could only say that this man was possessed and he could not be tamed by any normal means.
He had a supernatural strength and no bindings could hold him.
Again the Holy Spirit described this as a "human being" and not just some man or woman!
It is a fact that demon possession is real in our world and it was real in the days of Jesus.
If we want to see a picture of the torments and a "type" of the death of the unsaved, we have this picture.
This man, this human being, had already been banished from the land of the living!
He had been banished from any human community.
And he had been banished from all human contact which makes human life possible!
The harshest restraints imposed on him by society had failed this man.
This man always cried out making this same society know how they had failed him.
But his cries had only reached the ears of God and only Jesus had come to him!
*****Mar 5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
Mar 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
This man was unclean in every sense of the word!
Satan's work, is a work, that leads to total destruction of every human being he influences!
The body of this man was covered with open sores and scars, from his own doing and from the binds that could not hold him. (wore the filth of this world)
His hair and beard was in a shaggy and a tangled mess. (like an animal)
He had not bathed. (no self respect)
He was naked or wore rags he had stolen from dead bodies. (our righteousness as filthy rags)
He was demon possessed and very dangerous to anyone who came close to him. (a follower of Satan)
He was a Gentile, therefore also unclean by Jewish standards and in all ritual ways. (unclean by the law)
But when he came to Jesus, he immediately bowed before Him!
Psa 66:3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
But while this "human being" bowed because he had to, these evil spirits within him, became defiant.
The dominant demon within this man began speaking:
"What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God"?
Satan and his demons must always recognize the Deity of Christ and must also obey Him, but we can still see the hatred they have for God as they accused the Lord Jesus of being their Tormentor!
What did James teach us?
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
The Bible teaches us how to know when we meet evil spirits. There is a simple test:
1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Many of these evil spirits fill our churches and our pulpits today.
All that deny that Jesus Christ is the Messiah that has come, and will come again are filled with unclean spirits and not the Holy Spirit of God!
The spirit of Antichrist fills our world today and we must use this test to discern the truth of all those that teach us and our children!
This also gives us a picture of what will happen to mankind for that short period after the "Rapture", when the evil spirits come out of the mouth of the Antichrist in the Book of Revelation:
Rev 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Rev 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Those that do not accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior "and not as Tormentor", will witness what the 12 Apostles witnessed this day with Jesus but there will be no Savior that day of the Antichrist!
What can Jesus do for every "human being"?
*****Mar 5:8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
Jesus can remove that evil spirit and replace it with the Holy Spirit of God, the Spirit of Truth!
Christ Jesus has the absolute authority over God's entire creation!
We see in these scriptures the results, when an evil spirit of Satan has taken physical control over a "human being".
What can Jesus do?
2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
We will see that Satan never operates under his own name. (Here he will call himself Legion)
We should know that Satan hides where he is least suspicious. (He used that serpent on Eve)
We should realize that Satan has his own twisted version of God's Word. (He will cause confusion)
We will find out that Satan takes our least desirable traits and exploits them for his own use. (Lust, pride, malice, etc.)
We will find out that once in Satan's trap, we will see his cruelty, and live in misery!
Satan's strength is not in his temptations, his strength is in his "snares"!
But, even in all these things Satan must obey God, so God in the flesh said "come out of this human being".
Why was Jesus standing before this possessed man?
1Jn 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil".
*****Mar 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
We immediately see how Satan will still test Jesus.
Satan was saying, "I am a "legion", and "probably much more powerful that you can handle while you are in that flesh".
But Jesus Christ did not ask for Himself, He asked because He had the 12 chosen with Him!
A Roman Legion at full strength would be around 6000 men. Later we will see a figure of 2000 swine but this may not mean an actual 2000 demons as more than one occupied this man more than one could occupy those swine.
We should also notice that this evil spirit was able to make use of the physical parts of this mans body as it used this mans own voice to answer Christ Jesus.
Jesus was never intimidated by Satan's deception and we cannot be!
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Satan has no right to claim any of God's creation, especially mankind, he knows this.
So, then we see this mighty Legion become a single begging Satan:
*****Mar 5:10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
Why did these evil spirits not want to leave this country they were in?
The Bible gives us the best explanation.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, "but against principalities", against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
A principality is the territory of a prince:
Satan is known as the prince of of this world.
Satan is known as the prince of the power of the air.
And Satan is known as the prince of devils. (and demons)
That word "principalities" is obviously plural!
In the Book of Daniel we find:
Dan 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
There is a great amount of difference between a prince and a chief prince!
What we should realize, is that these evil spirits must have had assigned territories.
They did not want to be sent out of their assigned territory!
This was a breeding ground for sin, but the first missionary to this territory, would be this once lost Demoniac!
What will be the ending of all of Satan's helpers?
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
These demon helpers of Satan know the truth of God's Word:
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
They have a "sort of faith" in the sense that they believe and know God, this is not "saving faith"!
But neither their faith nor their fear, can save them from the place God has prepared for them!
They, like the world we live in, just do not know the time that this will take place!
In Matthews "Gospel" we have these words:
Mat 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us "before the time"?
They may not know the actual time they will be placed in torment but they do know this time is coming!
In fact these demon did not know what Jesus would do to them, this let's us know that Satan does not know as much as some people thinks he does!
Satan is not omnipotent nor omniscient!
And Satan can only be in one place at a time, he just has many demons that help him! (one third of an enumerable amount of angels)
*****Mar 5:11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
Mar 5:12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
This a sure sign that this land was the home of Gentiles and not the Jews. The Jews had no part with swine!
Deu 14:8 And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.
We should not miss this important verse that explains the these devils needed God's permission to enter into innocent animals that have "no choice".
But we should also see that God does allow them to do this sometimes.
And what happens?
*****Mar 5:13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
The evil spirits must have thought they could control these animals but they could not!
How smart is a pig?
If a Legion of Roman soldiers is 6000 men, then each of these pigs could have had 3 of these evil spirits that tried to take over them.
Rather than be possessed, these swine decide it would be better to die!
We should hate sin as these swine hated these demon!
We should also remember these words of Jesus as He speaks to believers:
Luk 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
Luk 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
We should also remember these words of the Holy Spirit to Peter:
Act 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
If we have a tendency to have pity on these pigs and for the farmer, we would be wrong.
God has a purpose, for every situation that happens in this world.
Nothing happens by chance!
We must trust the Lord in all things!
Gen 18:25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right"?
God does not make any mistakes!
*****Mar 5:14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.
Where ever you find domesticated animals you should find someone who takes care of those animals.
Luke said "those that saw" what was done.
Matthew said "they that kept them".
Mark said "those that fed them".
In every case we can see that these were not the owners of these swine.
They had two stories to tell back home.
1) The things that had happened to the Demoniac.
2) The things that happened to the swine.
And they fled from both these things because they did not understand!
The owners came to see what was going on and what did they see?
*****Mar 5:15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
Mar 5:16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
They did not look over the cliff to see if any of their pigs had survived.
They did not go near the Demoniac.
They did not question the 12 disciples.
They went straight to Jesus Christ, and this is when they noticed their old friend who had become their enemy, who would now be their first Chritian missionary.
And they were afraid!
Just as the world is today, they did could not understand how such a man could be transformed by Jesus Christ and they were afraid at the sight of him!
What a shame!
This man was no longer the most evil man in the community and this made them take another look at themselves to see who was the next most evil man in the community.
The power of God is an awesome thing to behold!
They then made a wrong choice!
Mar 5:17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
After seeing the supernatural power that can change lives, these people could only think of their personal wealth.
AND, Such is our world today!
In America today the slogan is "Jesus, just go away".
Most of our world is the same, yet it is still obvious that knowing Jesus can still change lives.
The heart of mankind remains cold!
It is a sad fact that people living in misery get dependent, and most governments see this as a way to make them stay that way.
When people get dependant on their governments or on others, they cannot see the freedom of know ing Jesus Christ!
There is nothing wrong with welfare programs but this cannot be allowed to become a permanent lifestyle!
God says:
Mar 14:7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
The area of Decapolis had been occupied by the Greeks since the time of Alexander and they wanted to remain Greek, refusing to accept the Roman gods and they were not about to accept any Jewish God, their god was a Pantheon of gods!
God will not stay where He is not wanted!
*****Mar 5:18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
Mar 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
Mar 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
If there is any doubt that God will leave, once He is rejected, then we miss the importance of this passage!
America was founded on the principles of the Word of God but Satan's people have systematically had God removed from everything they can.
If Jehovah God is told He is not welcome then He will leave!
This foundation of America is trembling and it is being noticed more and more throughout our world!
Jesus promised a second return to Israel, BUT to no one else did He make this promise!
Every "Born Again" child of God wants to be with Jesus as soon as they are saved but here we see the reason we have been left behind for a season.
The old demoniac has become at first a missionary to his old friends and then to this entire region and he is specically told to tell how his new life happened.
Jesus could have took His new child with Him but Jesus has a purpose to fulfill:
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
It would the family of this man and his friends that would recognize the change in him and he could explain how it happened to them.
What is the truth of God?
Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Isa 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Isa 45:24 Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
This is the message we have for this lost world!
God is still showing His "compassion" on this entire world but the world is not listening!
Decapolis is a place of 10 cities that were mostly Greek and according to ancient historians, Decapolis had their own courts, their own army and even their own coinage.
Ruins found today of their theaters, temples and other buildings indicate that they were an advanced culture for their time.
The reputation of this once called "Demoniac" caused all men to marvel when they met them and he then told them about Jesus.
Jesus showed His compassion on all mankind at the Cross!
If we can be as this once demon possessed man, and show compassion, we can still make a difference in this world!
Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
*****Mar 5:21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.
Mar 5:22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
Mar 5:23 And 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.
Jesus may not have been welcomed in the synagogue but He was welcomed by the people as they knew who to turn to.
Jairus had allowed Jesus to read from the scriptures many times.
Jairus had also been an eyewitness to many of the things Jesus had done.
Jairus realized that kind of power could only have come from God.
But, Jairus had not shown his need for Jesus, until he was faced with a tragedy!
We sometimes fight the Holy Spirit, until something tragic happens in our lives!
What are the most important things to do in ever situation and with any tragedy?
1.) Humble ourselves before the Lord.
2) Believe in His power to heal. (A complete healing begins with salvation)!
3) Be bold enough to confess to the Lord before others. (be not ashamed of the Lord)
4) Show your love to the Lord and all others. (the two great commandments)
The touch of Jesus is a precious and a wonderful thing but He must first touch us with His Word!
Jairus did not realize that he was also a part of God's plan!
The rulers of every synagogue were respected in the community.
This ruler and these people had seen many things in healing and providing, by Jesus.
This ruler and these people had thought that Beelzebub held the power of death.
This ruler and these people were about to see "the One" who truly had the power over death!
Again Jesus shows His "compassion", this time on a grieving father.
*****Mar 5:24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
Mar 5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
Mar 5:26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
Notice that the Lord Jesus responds at once, without making a comment.
The home of Jairus was not far from Peter's house nor far from the synagogue.
The throng of people with Him were anxious to see another miracle.
That word "thronged" meant that Jesus was surrounded on all sides which gives meaning to our next passage.
We have a mob of people with a "faith" that Jesus could heal any disease.
We see a certain woman with a blood disease being one of those with this "faith".
Jairus also had this "faith".
Though this is "faith" that is "imperfect faith"!
But here are the facts:
There can be no "faith" so feeble that Jesus Christ will not respond to it!
This certain woman was even more desperate than Jairus but she did not want to hinder the progress of Jesus to the home of this young child.
We see, in this woman, another outcast of Jewish society:
Lev 15:19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.
This woman had had this issue of blood for 12 years.
Being a man I cannot imagine what this was like but I'm sure all women can relate to this poor soul.
This woman was not just cut off from society, she was cut off from the house of her God, Jehovah!
Not only had she suffered all these things, she had also trusted in the medical profession of that time, who could not heal her and they knew it but still brought her into financial ruin!
Yes, this woman was desperate!
*****Mar 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
Mar 5:28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
Mar 5:29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
When some one tells us the "Good News" of Jesus, the light of "hope" springs up in our souls!
I say again that if there 1000 steps to take to reach Jesus, He would take 999 of those steps, but we have to take that last step on our own!
This is called the step of "faith"!
But we should also realize that God does not allow for "secret Christians"!
This woman was tired of rejection from her friends.
She was tired of searching out for some new doctor or some new medicine, she had tried them all.
She was tired of being rejected by society and if she could have moved to another location, things would not be different because of the Laws of Moses.
This woman only had one option and she knew what it was!
This woman trusted that Jesus Christ could heal her if she could just touch His garment!
She needed the touch of a Savior!
That "Savior" is Jesus Christ!
**We know that Jesus wore a special robe:
Joh 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
His robe was woven without a seam.
But Jesus would have also worn a "Tallet".
A "Tallet" is a Jewish prayer shawl.
Num 15:38 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:
Num 15:39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:
Num 15:40 That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.
There are 613 Jewish commandments and there would have been 613 fringes on this prayer shawl.
This woman realized that Christ Jesus had supernatural power and maybe this power would even be in His clothes, especially this prayer shawl.
Did Jesus clothes have supernatural powers?
Luke wrote these words:
Luk 9:28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Luk 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, "and his raiment was white and glistering".
To be honest, these clothes of Jesus had no real power!
It was the Glory of God inside of Jesus that was beneath those clothes that was the location of that power!
In either case this woman touched the hem of this prayer shawl and she was immediately healed.
It is this incident that had caused others to seek to get close enough to Jesus just to touch Him:
Luk 6:19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
She was right, she was healed but she did not know why.
So, Jesus would explain to her that it was not His clothes, it was her own "faith"!
*****Mar 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
Mar 5:31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
Mar 5:32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
Mar 5:33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
Mar 5:34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
There were many that had touched Jesus on this day because this crowd had gathered to see if Jesus would heal the daughter of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, which Jesus could no longer enter.
Jairus would have been a rich man by the standards of this community. This woman was poor and wretched!
We should not think that Jesus did not know these things until He felt her touch!
Jesus will now use this incident to teach the 12 disciples, who did not understand that to know the Lord is to have a personal relationship with Him.
Christ Jesus was after a public confession of her "faith"!
It should amaze us all, that the Lord Jesus Christ will stop what He is doing, no matter the importance of it, just to meet with a poor lost soul at the first sign of faith!
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
There was only one person in this entire multitude that knew why Jesus had asked this question!
She probably froze in her tracks because we already know she did not run away.
You see no matter what we are doing, and no matter how noisy our world is, when Jesus calls, we will hear Him!
This should remind us of one thing in particular:
1Th 4:16 "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout", with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
We will not be left out of the "Rapture" even if the noise of this sinful world drowns out all other things.
This woman had felt new life, where her old life had been.
This woman had never been this much alive all of her adult life.
But this woman trembled because she had not asked the Lord's permission!
This woman trembled because she thought she might loose her new life!
This woman ran as hard as she could to worship the Lord Jesus who had healed her and the crowd made room.
Then this woman gave her testimony:
Psa 66:16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
What did Jesus do?
That word "Daughter" meant she had been accepted into the family of God!
Not only was this woman healed of her bodily illness, imposed on her by Satan, she was healed in her conscience, she was free from the bondage of Satan.
This woman had lived in a despairing state and hopeless condition.
Upon this confession this woman could now live in peace along with joy of a new life!
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
We may never get to see the book where Our Lord has blotted out all our sin.
But there is great joy knowing our name is written in the Lamb's book Of Life and can never be blotted out of that book!
Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Thank you Jesus!
There may be another reason why Jesus took the time with this poor woman.
Jesus teaches us that He is always on time!
*****Mar 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
Mar 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Jairus having witnessed all these other things now gets the word that his daughter has passed away.
Time just was not on his side!
Those that came used the title "Master".
Master means instructor or teacher as it is used in this verse.
Jesus must be our "Master" but this will not get you into Heaven.
Jesus Christ must also be our "Lord".
We must learn of Jesus as Lord, and then obey Him as Teacher or "Master".
Jesus said these words:
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Jesus must be Lord and Master!
Mat 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Jesus must be Lord and Master!
Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Jesus must be Lord and Master!
Judas Iscariot followed Jesus for more than two years.
He was taught everything the other disciples were taught.
He knew our Lord as Master, but Judas never called Christ Jesus his Lord!
Jesus says "I Am" at least 19 times in the Gospels:
Exo 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Exo 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
Again John the Beloved said:
1Jn 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1Jn 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father;
We must keep all these things in mind as the modern day church removes Christ Jesus, and His Blood, and then endorses the things of this world!
What can Our Lord and Master accomplish that no one else can?
Our Lord Jesus Christ can do the impossible but He does requires this one thing!
"Be not afraid, only believe"
Rom 5:1 Therefore being "justified by faith", we have peace with God "through our Lord Jesus Christ":
*****Mar 5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
Mar 5:38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
We again get to see the "heart" of Jesus.
Jesus has pity on each and every sinner!
The heart of Jesus today is the same as it was this day in the home of Jairus:
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
We should quickly notice that Jesus takes His inner circle of disciples with Him, but He does not allow a public display of what is about to take place.
There was already a great disturbance (tumult) in the home of Jairus and a great mourning for this child.
Jesus Christ is serious about His ministry!
*****Mar 5:39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
Mar 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
The flesh may sleep but the soul is eternal!
The very same Creator of this world, who made this flesh from the dirt of His own creation, was not concerned about the condition of the body of this child.
To Christ Jesus she was just taking a nap!
In any case the mourning for the child ceased and these that were crying began laughing, but it was not a joyful thing, it was a scornful thing!
In other words they said: "just who do you think you are to doubt us" and Jesus just puts them all out of the house and He, the parents, and Peter, James, and John, entered into the place where this child was laid.
*****Mar 5:41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
Mar 5:42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
The Apostle Peter never forgot this day and it was probably Peter who gave these exact words to Mark to write down for us.
Jesus spoke Aramaic this day because this was the language of this city and these words He used had no magical significance!
"Tali" is the word for "a body".
"Talitha" is the word for a girl.
"Cumi" is the word for Arise!
That's all Jesus had to say!
And how long did it take for this child to "Arise"?
"Straightway" means "directly or at once"!
She not only rose up out of that place where she lay, but she walked!
She was only 12 and all she remembered was that she had been sleeping and she was very hungry!
Even today it is not understood why Jesus uses the term "sleep" when we say "death".
Joh 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
But in sleep there is a rest from pain!
There is a rest from the cares of this world!
But to be asleep means there will be an awakening!
The "Born Again" child of God cannot die!
"Sleeping", in the sense of dying is applied to the Christian because we have that sincere hope of "resurrection"!
The soul, at death, has already joined the Lord in Heaven:
2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
The soul will return with the Lord on the day of the "Rapture"!
1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, "even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him".
Then the Lord will "resurrect" that sleeping flesh and join Our Lord with a glorified body!
2Co 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Together again we will always be with The Lord!
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
What else did Jesus do?
*****Mar 5:43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
The Lord Jesus Christ did some mighty great things while He was in the flesh but just as important He never forgot to do the little things that are not mentioned!
By this child eating, it showed that she had not just been returned to life, but she had also been restored to perfect health.
After all there had been a reason she had died at such a young age.
We can sure that this young lady lived to be a great age or this miracle would not have been such a great one!
God will always feed the life He gives by His wonderful "Grace"!
Questions?
Let's Pray!
Forgiving, Cleansing, Sending
Book of Mark Chapter 5
When we finished last week Christ Jesus had taught a great multitude with parables and He had begun with the most important parable of them all, the parable of the "Sower".
After this Jesus took some time to make sure that the chosen 12 had a clear understanding of what He had taught.
Shortly after this time Jesus informed these 12 that he wanted to go over to the other side of the Sea of Galilee from His location at Capernaum.
They had gotten into a small fishing boat without making any preparations and as happens on Galilee, a great wind caused experienced fishermen to fear for their lives while Christ Jesus slept in the rear of the boat where the Navigator would normally be.
After Jesus had rebuked the wind, and brought peace to the seas, these 12 and the other small boats in this company were all in "awe" of the Master.
With these things on their mind and Jesus continuing to rest, the boat came to Gadara:
*****Mar 5:1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
In the Book of Matthew these people are called the Gergesenes but we must not get confused. Gergesa was a small town on the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee and it was in the district of Gadara which was a much larger city. Both accounts are correct.
It had been a wild and stormy night and this morning would not be much different!
We have just witnessed that, following Jesus, does not mean we will not have storms in our life, and we will now see, that even though we follow the Lord Jesus, it does not mean we can avoid the wickedness of this world!
What are the three greatest terrors of mankind?
Demons, Disease, and Death!
What makes a family"?
Man, Woman And Child!
Let's see these things unfold:
*****Mar 5:2 And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
Mar 5:3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
Again in the Book of Matthew, we see that two possessed men are mentioned, but this is also not a contradiction, because neither Luke nor Mark ever say that there was only one man.
We read that Jesus only dealt with the one that came to Him!
These tombs were natural caverns in the sides of rocks, containing cells in which dead bodies were placed. The entrances to these caverns were not sealed and could have been used for shelter for such a man as this man mentioned with the unclean spirit.
These tombs still exist today!
To understand this more clearly, we need to see the man behind the scenes. Satan had just tried to drown the Lord Jesus while He slept. Now Satan will try to have Him killed by this ferocious demoniac.
This was not just a man of passion and rage because of his circumstances.
This was not a victim of delusion nor criminally insane.
This was not just any man possessed.
This was a man tormented and driven by a vast number of evil spirits!
This man had not always been this way but he was now being used by Satan and he was tormenting this entire community.
The people in the area had tried to protect themselves because they had bound him and they had chained him but he had escaped every time.
*****Mar 5:4 Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.
Mar 5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.
Even Luke, who was a physician, could only say that this man was possessed and he could not be tamed by any normal means.
He had a supernatural strength and no bindings could hold him.
Again the Holy Spirit described this as a "human being" and not just some man or woman!
It is a fact that demon possession is real in our world and it was real in the days of Jesus.
If we want to see a picture of the torments and a "type" of the death of the unsaved, we have this picture.
This man, this human being, had already been banished from the land of the living!
He had been banished from any human community.
And he had been banished from all human contact which makes human life possible!
The harshest restraints imposed on him by society had failed this man.
This man always cried out making this same society know how they had failed him.
But his cries had only reached the ears of God and only Jesus had come to him!
*****Mar 5:6 But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,
Mar 5:7 And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.
This man was unclean in every sense of the word!
Satan's work, is a work, that leads to total destruction of every human being he influences!
The body of this man was covered with open sores and scars, from his own doing and from the binds that could not hold him. (wore the filth of this world)
His hair and beard was in a shaggy and a tangled mess. (like an animal)
He had not bathed. (no self respect)
He was naked or wore rags he had stolen from dead bodies. (our righteousness as filthy rags)
He was demon possessed and very dangerous to anyone who came close to him. (a follower of Satan)
He was a Gentile, therefore also unclean by Jewish standards and in all ritual ways. (unclean by the law)
But when he came to Jesus, he immediately bowed before Him!
Psa 66:3 Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.
But while this "human being" bowed because he had to, these evil spirits within him, became defiant.
The dominant demon within this man began speaking:
"What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God"?
Satan and his demons must always recognize the Deity of Christ and must also obey Him, but we can still see the hatred they have for God as they accused the Lord Jesus of being their Tormentor!
What did James teach us?
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
The Bible teaches us how to know when we meet evil spirits. There is a simple test:
1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Many of these evil spirits fill our churches and our pulpits today.
All that deny that Jesus Christ is the Messiah that has come, and will come again are filled with unclean spirits and not the Holy Spirit of God!
The spirit of Antichrist fills our world today and we must use this test to discern the truth of all those that teach us and our children!
This also gives us a picture of what will happen to mankind for that short period after the "Rapture", when the evil spirits come out of the mouth of the Antichrist in the Book of Revelation:
Rev 16:13 And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet.
Rev 16:14 For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Those that do not accept the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior "and not as Tormentor", will witness what the 12 Apostles witnessed this day with Jesus but there will be no Savior that day of the Antichrist!
What can Jesus do for every "human being"?
*****Mar 5:8 For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.
Jesus can remove that evil spirit and replace it with the Holy Spirit of God, the Spirit of Truth!
Christ Jesus has the absolute authority over God's entire creation!
We see in these scriptures the results, when an evil spirit of Satan has taken physical control over a "human being".
What can Jesus do?
2Ti 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
We will see that Satan never operates under his own name. (Here he will call himself Legion)
We should know that Satan hides where he is least suspicious. (He used that serpent on Eve)
We should realize that Satan has his own twisted version of God's Word. (He will cause confusion)
We will find out that Satan takes our least desirable traits and exploits them for his own use. (Lust, pride, malice, etc.)
We will find out that once in Satan's trap, we will see his cruelty, and live in misery!
Satan's strength is not in his temptations, his strength is in his "snares"!
But, even in all these things Satan must obey God, so God in the flesh said "come out of this human being".
Why was Jesus standing before this possessed man?
1Jn 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil".
*****Mar 5:9 And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.
We immediately see how Satan will still test Jesus.
Satan was saying, "I am a "legion", and "probably much more powerful that you can handle while you are in that flesh".
But Jesus Christ did not ask for Himself, He asked because He had the 12 chosen with Him!
A Roman Legion at full strength would be around 6000 men. Later we will see a figure of 2000 swine but this may not mean an actual 2000 demons as more than one occupied this man more than one could occupy those swine.
We should also notice that this evil spirit was able to make use of the physical parts of this mans body as it used this mans own voice to answer Christ Jesus.
Jesus was never intimidated by Satan's deception and we cannot be!
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Satan has no right to claim any of God's creation, especially mankind, he knows this.
So, then we see this mighty Legion become a single begging Satan:
*****Mar 5:10 And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.
Why did these evil spirits not want to leave this country they were in?
The Bible gives us the best explanation.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, "but against principalities", against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
A principality is the territory of a prince:
Satan is known as the prince of of this world.
Satan is known as the prince of the power of the air.
And Satan is known as the prince of devils. (and demons)
That word "principalities" is obviously plural!
In the Book of Daniel we find:
Dan 10:13 But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me one and twenty days: but, lo, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me; and I remained there with the kings of Persia.
There is a great amount of difference between a prince and a chief prince!
What we should realize, is that these evil spirits must have had assigned territories.
They did not want to be sent out of their assigned territory!
This was a breeding ground for sin, but the first missionary to this territory, would be this once lost Demoniac!
What will be the ending of all of Satan's helpers?
Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
These demon helpers of Satan know the truth of God's Word:
Jas 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
They have a "sort of faith" in the sense that they believe and know God, this is not "saving faith"!
But neither their faith nor their fear, can save them from the place God has prepared for them!
They, like the world we live in, just do not know the time that this will take place!
In Matthews "Gospel" we have these words:
Mat 8:29 And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us "before the time"?
They may not know the actual time they will be placed in torment but they do know this time is coming!
In fact these demon did not know what Jesus would do to them, this let's us know that Satan does not know as much as some people thinks he does!
Satan is not omnipotent nor omniscient!
And Satan can only be in one place at a time, he just has many demons that help him! (one third of an enumerable amount of angels)
*****Mar 5:11 Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.
Mar 5:12 And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.
This a sure sign that this land was the home of Gentiles and not the Jews. The Jews had no part with swine!
Deu 14:8 And the swine, because it divideth the hoof, yet cheweth not the cud, it is unclean unto you: ye shall not eat of their flesh, nor touch their dead carcase.
We should not miss this important verse that explains the these devils needed God's permission to enter into innocent animals that have "no choice".
But we should also see that God does allow them to do this sometimes.
And what happens?
*****Mar 5:13 And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.
The evil spirits must have thought they could control these animals but they could not!
How smart is a pig?
If a Legion of Roman soldiers is 6000 men, then each of these pigs could have had 3 of these evil spirits that tried to take over them.
Rather than be possessed, these swine decide it would be better to die!
We should hate sin as these swine hated these demon!
We should also remember these words of Jesus as He speaks to believers:
Luk 12:4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
Luk 12:5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.
We should also remember these words of the Holy Spirit to Peter:
Act 10:15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
If we have a tendency to have pity on these pigs and for the farmer, we would be wrong.
God has a purpose, for every situation that happens in this world.
Nothing happens by chance!
We must trust the Lord in all things!
Gen 18:25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right"?
God does not make any mistakes!
*****Mar 5:14 And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.
Where ever you find domesticated animals you should find someone who takes care of those animals.
Luke said "those that saw" what was done.
Matthew said "they that kept them".
Mark said "those that fed them".
In every case we can see that these were not the owners of these swine.
They had two stories to tell back home.
1) The things that had happened to the Demoniac.
2) The things that happened to the swine.
And they fled from both these things because they did not understand!
The owners came to see what was going on and what did they see?
*****Mar 5:15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
Mar 5:16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.
They did not look over the cliff to see if any of their pigs had survived.
They did not go near the Demoniac.
They did not question the 12 disciples.
They went straight to Jesus Christ, and this is when they noticed their old friend who had become their enemy, who would now be their first Chritian missionary.
And they were afraid!
Just as the world is today, they did could not understand how such a man could be transformed by Jesus Christ and they were afraid at the sight of him!
What a shame!
This man was no longer the most evil man in the community and this made them take another look at themselves to see who was the next most evil man in the community.
The power of God is an awesome thing to behold!
They then made a wrong choice!
Mar 5:17 And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.
After seeing the supernatural power that can change lives, these people could only think of their personal wealth.
AND, Such is our world today!
In America today the slogan is "Jesus, just go away".
Most of our world is the same, yet it is still obvious that knowing Jesus can still change lives.
The heart of mankind remains cold!
It is a sad fact that people living in misery get dependent, and most governments see this as a way to make them stay that way.
When people get dependant on their governments or on others, they cannot see the freedom of know ing Jesus Christ!
There is nothing wrong with welfare programs but this cannot be allowed to become a permanent lifestyle!
God says:
Mar 14:7 For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.
The area of Decapolis had been occupied by the Greeks since the time of Alexander and they wanted to remain Greek, refusing to accept the Roman gods and they were not about to accept any Jewish God, their god was a Pantheon of gods!
God will not stay where He is not wanted!
*****Mar 5:18 And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.
Mar 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
Mar 5:20 And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
If there is any doubt that God will leave, once He is rejected, then we miss the importance of this passage!
America was founded on the principles of the Word of God but Satan's people have systematically had God removed from everything they can.
If Jehovah God is told He is not welcome then He will leave!
This foundation of America is trembling and it is being noticed more and more throughout our world!
Jesus promised a second return to Israel, BUT to no one else did He make this promise!
Every "Born Again" child of God wants to be with Jesus as soon as they are saved but here we see the reason we have been left behind for a season.
The old demoniac has become at first a missionary to his old friends and then to this entire region and he is specically told to tell how his new life happened.
Jesus could have took His new child with Him but Jesus has a purpose to fulfill:
1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
It would the family of this man and his friends that would recognize the change in him and he could explain how it happened to them.
What is the truth of God?
Isa 45:22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Isa 45:23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
Isa 45:24 Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
This is the message we have for this lost world!
God is still showing His "compassion" on this entire world but the world is not listening!
Decapolis is a place of 10 cities that were mostly Greek and according to ancient historians, Decapolis had their own courts, their own army and even their own coinage.
Ruins found today of their theaters, temples and other buildings indicate that they were an advanced culture for their time.
The reputation of this once called "Demoniac" caused all men to marvel when they met them and he then told them about Jesus.
Jesus showed His compassion on all mankind at the Cross!
If we can be as this once demon possessed man, and show compassion, we can still make a difference in this world!
Jud 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Jud 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference:
*****Mar 5:21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.
Mar 5:22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
Mar 5:23 And 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.
Jesus may not have been welcomed in the synagogue but He was welcomed by the people as they knew who to turn to.
Jairus had allowed Jesus to read from the scriptures many times.
Jairus had also been an eyewitness to many of the things Jesus had done.
Jairus realized that kind of power could only have come from God.
But, Jairus had not shown his need for Jesus, until he was faced with a tragedy!
We sometimes fight the Holy Spirit, until something tragic happens in our lives!
What are the most important things to do in ever situation and with any tragedy?
1.) Humble ourselves before the Lord.
2) Believe in His power to heal. (A complete healing begins with salvation)!
3) Be bold enough to confess to the Lord before others. (be not ashamed of the Lord)
4) Show your love to the Lord and all others. (the two great commandments)
The touch of Jesus is a precious and a wonderful thing but He must first touch us with His Word!
Jairus did not realize that he was also a part of God's plan!
The rulers of every synagogue were respected in the community.
This ruler and these people had seen many things in healing and providing, by Jesus.
This ruler and these people had thought that Beelzebub held the power of death.
This ruler and these people were about to see "the One" who truly had the power over death!
Again Jesus shows His "compassion", this time on a grieving father.
*****Mar 5:24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
Mar 5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,
Mar 5:26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
Notice that the Lord Jesus responds at once, without making a comment.
The home of Jairus was not far from Peter's house nor far from the synagogue.
The throng of people with Him were anxious to see another miracle.
That word "thronged" meant that Jesus was surrounded on all sides which gives meaning to our next passage.
We have a mob of people with a "faith" that Jesus could heal any disease.
We see a certain woman with a blood disease being one of those with this "faith".
Jairus also had this "faith".
Though this is "faith" that is "imperfect faith"!
But here are the facts:
There can be no "faith" so feeble that Jesus Christ will not respond to it!
This certain woman was even more desperate than Jairus but she did not want to hinder the progress of Jesus to the home of this young child.
We see, in this woman, another outcast of Jewish society:
Lev 15:19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.
This woman had had this issue of blood for 12 years.
Being a man I cannot imagine what this was like but I'm sure all women can relate to this poor soul.
This woman was not just cut off from society, she was cut off from the house of her God, Jehovah!
Not only had she suffered all these things, she had also trusted in the medical profession of that time, who could not heal her and they knew it but still brought her into financial ruin!
Yes, this woman was desperate!
*****Mar 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
Mar 5:28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.
Mar 5:29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
When some one tells us the "Good News" of Jesus, the light of "hope" springs up in our souls!
I say again that if there 1000 steps to take to reach Jesus, He would take 999 of those steps, but we have to take that last step on our own!
This is called the step of "faith"!
But we should also realize that God does not allow for "secret Christians"!
This woman was tired of rejection from her friends.
She was tired of searching out for some new doctor or some new medicine, she had tried them all.
She was tired of being rejected by society and if she could have moved to another location, things would not be different because of the Laws of Moses.
This woman only had one option and she knew what it was!
This woman trusted that Jesus Christ could heal her if she could just touch His garment!
She needed the touch of a Savior!
That "Savior" is Jesus Christ!
**We know that Jesus wore a special robe:
Joh 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.
His robe was woven without a seam.
But Jesus would have also worn a "Tallet".
A "Tallet" is a Jewish prayer shawl.
Num 15:38 Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue:
Num 15:39 And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:
Num 15:40 That ye may remember, and do all my commandments, and be holy unto your God.
There are 613 Jewish commandments and there would have been 613 fringes on this prayer shawl.
This woman realized that Christ Jesus had supernatural power and maybe this power would even be in His clothes, especially this prayer shawl.
Did Jesus clothes have supernatural powers?
Luke wrote these words:
Luk 9:28 And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.
Luk 9:29 And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, "and his raiment was white and glistering".
To be honest, these clothes of Jesus had no real power!
It was the Glory of God inside of Jesus that was beneath those clothes that was the location of that power!
In either case this woman touched the hem of this prayer shawl and she was immediately healed.
It is this incident that had caused others to seek to get close enough to Jesus just to touch Him:
Luk 6:19 And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.
She was right, she was healed but she did not know why.
So, Jesus would explain to her that it was not His clothes, it was her own "faith"!
*****Mar 5:30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?
Mar 5:31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?
Mar 5:32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
Mar 5:33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
Mar 5:34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
There were many that had touched Jesus on this day because this crowd had gathered to see if Jesus would heal the daughter of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, which Jesus could no longer enter.
Jairus would have been a rich man by the standards of this community. This woman was poor and wretched!
We should not think that Jesus did not know these things until He felt her touch!
Jesus will now use this incident to teach the 12 disciples, who did not understand that to know the Lord is to have a personal relationship with Him.
Christ Jesus was after a public confession of her "faith"!
It should amaze us all, that the Lord Jesus Christ will stop what He is doing, no matter the importance of it, just to meet with a poor lost soul at the first sign of faith!
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Luk 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
There was only one person in this entire multitude that knew why Jesus had asked this question!
She probably froze in her tracks because we already know she did not run away.
You see no matter what we are doing, and no matter how noisy our world is, when Jesus calls, we will hear Him!
This should remind us of one thing in particular:
1Th 4:16 "For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout", with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
We will not be left out of the "Rapture" even if the noise of this sinful world drowns out all other things.
This woman had felt new life, where her old life had been.
This woman had never been this much alive all of her adult life.
But this woman trembled because she had not asked the Lord's permission!
This woman trembled because she thought she might loose her new life!
This woman ran as hard as she could to worship the Lord Jesus who had healed her and the crowd made room.
Then this woman gave her testimony:
Psa 66:16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
What did Jesus do?
That word "Daughter" meant she had been accepted into the family of God!
Not only was this woman healed of her bodily illness, imposed on her by Satan, she was healed in her conscience, she was free from the bondage of Satan.
This woman had lived in a despairing state and hopeless condition.
Upon this confession this woman could now live in peace along with joy of a new life!
Joh 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
We may never get to see the book where Our Lord has blotted out all our sin.
But there is great joy knowing our name is written in the Lamb's book Of Life and can never be blotted out of that book!
Rev 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Thank you Jesus!
There may be another reason why Jesus took the time with this poor woman.
Jesus teaches us that He is always on time!
*****Mar 5:35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?
Mar 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.
Jairus having witnessed all these other things now gets the word that his daughter has passed away.
Time just was not on his side!
Those that came used the title "Master".
Master means instructor or teacher as it is used in this verse.
Jesus must be our "Master" but this will not get you into Heaven.
Jesus Christ must also be our "Lord".
We must learn of Jesus as Lord, and then obey Him as Teacher or "Master".
Jesus said these words:
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Jesus must be Lord and Master!
Mat 23:8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren.
Jesus must be Lord and Master!
Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?
Jesus must be Lord and Master!
Judas Iscariot followed Jesus for more than two years.
He was taught everything the other disciples were taught.
He knew our Lord as Master, but Judas never called Christ Jesus his Lord!
Jesus says "I Am" at least 19 times in the Gospels:
Exo 3:14 And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.
Exo 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.
Again John the Beloved said:
1Jn 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1Jn 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father;
We must keep all these things in mind as the modern day church removes Christ Jesus, and His Blood, and then endorses the things of this world!
What can Our Lord and Master accomplish that no one else can?
Our Lord Jesus Christ can do the impossible but He does requires this one thing!
"Be not afraid, only believe"
Rom 5:1 Therefore being "justified by faith", we have peace with God "through our Lord Jesus Christ":
*****Mar 5:37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.
Mar 5:38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.
We again get to see the "heart" of Jesus.
Jesus has pity on each and every sinner!
The heart of Jesus today is the same as it was this day in the home of Jairus:
Heb 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
We should quickly notice that Jesus takes His inner circle of disciples with Him, but He does not allow a public display of what is about to take place.
There was already a great disturbance (tumult) in the home of Jairus and a great mourning for this child.
Jesus Christ is serious about His ministry!
*****Mar 5:39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.
Mar 5:40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.
The flesh may sleep but the soul is eternal!
The very same Creator of this world, who made this flesh from the dirt of His own creation, was not concerned about the condition of the body of this child.
To Christ Jesus she was just taking a nap!
In any case the mourning for the child ceased and these that were crying began laughing, but it was not a joyful thing, it was a scornful thing!
In other words they said: "just who do you think you are to doubt us" and Jesus just puts them all out of the house and He, the parents, and Peter, James, and John, entered into the place where this child was laid.
*****Mar 5:41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.
Mar 5:42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.
The Apostle Peter never forgot this day and it was probably Peter who gave these exact words to Mark to write down for us.
Jesus spoke Aramaic this day because this was the language of this city and these words He used had no magical significance!
"Tali" is the word for "a body".
"Talitha" is the word for a girl.
"Cumi" is the word for Arise!
That's all Jesus had to say!
And how long did it take for this child to "Arise"?
"Straightway" means "directly or at once"!
She not only rose up out of that place where she lay, but she walked!
She was only 12 and all she remembered was that she had been sleeping and she was very hungry!
Even today it is not understood why Jesus uses the term "sleep" when we say "death".
Joh 11:11 These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.
But in sleep there is a rest from pain!
There is a rest from the cares of this world!
But to be asleep means there will be an awakening!
The "Born Again" child of God cannot die!
"Sleeping", in the sense of dying is applied to the Christian because we have that sincere hope of "resurrection"!
The soul, at death, has already joined the Lord in Heaven:
2Co 5:8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
The soul will return with the Lord on the day of the "Rapture"!
1Th 4:13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.
1Th 4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, "even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him".
Then the Lord will "resurrect" that sleeping flesh and join Our Lord with a glorified body!
2Co 4:14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.
Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Together again we will always be with The Lord!
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
What else did Jesus do?
*****Mar 5:43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
The Lord Jesus Christ did some mighty great things while He was in the flesh but just as important He never forgot to do the little things that are not mentioned!
By this child eating, it showed that she had not just been returned to life, but she had also been restored to perfect health.
After all there had been a reason she had died at such a young age.
We can sure that this young lady lived to be a great age or this miracle would not have been such a great one!
God will always feed the life He gives by His wonderful "Grace"!
Questions?
Let's Pray!
No comments:
Post a Comment