Charles Box
Our world is filled with tragedy. People are injured and killed by floods, fires, tornadoes, and accidents. Earthquakes and hurricanes come with their destructive power. Disease works with deadly force. But, out of tragedy Jesus can bring hope.
A Child is Ill
There is always something sad about the sickness or death of a child. A twelve-year-old girl was gravely sick. Mark 5:22-23 reveals how the father of the child approached Jesus:
And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 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.
The tragedy of a sick child brought this ruler of the synagogue to his knees. Many people in Jairus’ position were opposed to Jesus. It may be that he had been, but all of that is forgotten as he comes to Jesus for help and hope. Jairus emptied himself of all pride as he fell at the feet of Jesus and begged for help. Most of us would like to run our own lives, but let us be humble enough to realize that our only help and hope is in Christ. Jairus learned this and through learning this gained the health of his daughter.
A Woman’s Last Hope
As Jesus went with Jairus, a woman from the crowd came and touched His garment:
And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague (Mark 5:24-29).
The poor woman had suffered for twelve years, spent all her money on doctors and only grew worse. Doctors have their place, but they had not been successful in helping this woman. She came to Jesus as a last resort. Is it not strange how so many do exactly the same thing? They try everything else and then finally decide to try Jesus. Let us learn that our Lord Jesus Christ is an ever present help in time of trouble.
A Woman is Healed
When healing took place, it took something out of Jesus.
When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 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? (Mark 5:27-30).
Great things are accomplished only when someone is willing to put their very life into it. This was true of Jesus, and it is also true for us and our work today. Jesus was great because He was willing to give Himself in service to others. The disciples could not imagine how Jesus knew someone from the crowd had touched Him. Often we, like the disciples, have no understanding of the sacrifices made by others to serve people. This section of Scripture lets us also learn a great lesson from the woman. “But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth” (Mark 5:33). She simply told Jesus the whole truth and the result was beautiful. “And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague” (Mark 5:34).
Despair Turns to Hope
Word comes which cause great despair: “Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?” (Mark 5:35). Jesus, however, was not in despair. “Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36). There is a powerful contrast of the hopelessness of the mourners and the hopefulness of Jesus. The voice of hope spoke to say, “Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth” (Mark 5:39). The ungodly often laugh to scorn those who would take Jesus at His Word.
With gentle and powerful words Jesus silenced their laughter.
Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment (Mark 5:41-42).
At judgment day many who have mocked those of us who desire to be simple New Testament Christians will stand in silent, stunned amazement.
From Mark 5:21-43 let us learn: (1) People face many tragedies in this life. (2) Sickness and disease come to young and old. (3) Jesus really does care when people are hurting. (4) Jesus is able to turn despair into hope. (5) Those who scorn Christianity will be put to silence. (6) Jesus is our only hope. (7) Allow Christ to rule your life and life now and hereafter will be yours (Rom. 6:1-6; Acts 2:36-4; John 10:10).
