Mark 5:21-43

Mark 5:21-43

Jesus re-crosses the sea and on the other side has the occasion of a double miracle.  Both of these miracles involve women, who were little more than chattel in that time.  The first woman was, apparently, just an ordinary individual and the second was a young woman, Jairus’ daughter.  Jarius was a man of great standing.  These two people, the unnamed woman and Jarius, share a common theme.

For the woman her actions were very presumptuous.  She presumed the privilege of approaching a great leader who was a man; she presumed that she would be healed.  We have no way of knowing how complete her theology was, but she had one rock- solid conviction: Jesus can heal me.  She believed that the least amount of Jesus is more than enough.  Her cure was instantaneous, complete and dynamic, so much so, she felt it within. 

Jairus also knew that Jesus was his only hope.  The mourners were at the house waiting for the girl to die.  What takes a father from the last, possible, precious moments with his little girl?  Desperation and hope!  His theology would have been more complete than the woman’s, but in crisis theology is less critical than trust.

There is a common characteristic between these two that has great application for us: Jesus’ treatment of fear.  The woman, realizing what great thing has happened, is suddenly afraid to the point of trembling.  The profound power and person she has presumed to touch turns in her direction.  Healing was what she desperately wanted, but would her boldness now cost her?  Jairus was witness to this conversation, but without knowing the healing or the gravity of her situation.  We might assume that the conversation between Jesus and the woman was not impressive to Jairus.  While Jesus is talking to the woman, word comes of the girl’s death.  Jesus turns His attention to Jairus and addressed the fear in his heart.

Jesus’ response to fear is important to us.  To the woman who was on the completed side of the miracle He says, “Go in peace.”  This would have most likely reflected the Hebrew concept of “Shalom”, wholeness, completeness, and peace.  “Your faith has brought through.”  To Jairus who was on the “not yet” side of the miracle Jesus says, “Do not be afraid any longer, only keep on believing.”  Perfect faith will drive out any fear, but Jairus did not have perfect faith.  He had come a great distance by his faith, yet he was still afraid.  Jesus tells him, “Keep on believing.” 

In my heart that is filled with fear there is some faith as well.  In my mind filled with knowledge and some faith fear is mingled in.  Faith will not vanquish fear in a moment; we should not want that.  Should that happen we would need a daily sign or miracle with each new fear.  Rather Jesus calls me to choose to “keep on believing”.  Faith has brought me this far.  At this moment I may choose to “keep on believing” or sink into the despair of fear.  To “keep believing” does not mean I will get what I want.  It does mean I am confident that Jesus has a preferred vision of the future for me.

"Lord, I believe help me where I still have unbelief. AMEN"

Mark 5:1-20

Mark 5:1-20

The encounter with the demonic is a record we need to study more and more frequently. As many in our society are dabbling in the demonic they open the gateway to the powers of demons. As Christians we may soon confront the demonic in our lives and ministry. There is something about the demonic that at a heart or gut level a sensitive believer will recognize. This is hardly a clinical diagnoses, but it is some how identifiable, but none the less real.

Jesus is never out numbered. The collective called Legion was not a match for Jesus and they knew it. The demons were, in fact, terrified with the prospects of what they knew was their defeat. In verse 10, they beg Jesus not to cast them “out of the country” or the realm of time and space and into the realm of their eternal doom. Like many people, demons do not want to face their eternity.

Why would Jesus cast them into hogs? Why would the demons want to go to the hogs? Why would Jesus allow it? This is speculation, but we may guess. For the demons the hogs are a better option than their eternal doom. Also the powers of darkness hate humans and will use any occasion to harm them. These hogs represented $250,000 to $400,000 in value. The demons could hurt the community by an act of economic terrorism. The demonic uses humans like tools then break the tools they have used. Where demons might for a season empower and energize their human host or allies in the end their intent is to ruin them. But why did Jesus allow such an act of economic terrorism? First, this is to demonstrate the value of one soul. In the economy of heaven, the loss of much is worth it to gain the real life in Jesus. Secondly, Jesus is going to send this man out as the first missionary. The suicidal stampede of the pigs will be the talk of the region and will make a fertile seed bed for the gospel’s proclamation.

It is interesting that the people in the area ask Jesus to leave. Asking Jesus to leave is how people-content with misery- respond to the change the Gospel brings. In terms of one man’s impact it is hard to over estimate what this man did. It is important to know that this first missionary worked with very low knowledge, but a very high level of obedience.

"Lord, help me to be a witness to the world about Your grace. AMEN"