February 15, 2012
Central Truth
The power from Jesus brings hope to the confused, comfort to the suffering, and life from death.
But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe." (Mark 5:36)
1 They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. 1 5:1 Some manuscripts Gergesenes; some Gadarenes 2 And when Jesus 2 5:2 Greek he; also verse 9 had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. 3 He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, 4 for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. 7 And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” 8 For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” 9 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” 10 And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. 11 Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, 12 and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” 13 So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.
14 The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. 15 And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed 3 5:15 Greek daimonizomai (demonized); also verses 16, 18; elsewhere rendered oppressed by demons man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. 16 And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. 17 And they began to beg Jesus 4 5:17 Greek him to depart from their region. 18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. 19 And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.
21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him.
And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling 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 disease.”
35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing 5 5:36 Or ignoring; some manuscripts hearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus 6 5:38 Greek he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
A man possessed, living in a cave, shunned from society. A woman who had spent all she had trying to be healed from 12 years of pain, considered unclean because of her bleeding. Jairus, a synagogue ruler, pleading for his dying daughter. All seemed hopeless for these three in their circumstances until Jesus shows up.
The demons understood the power Jesus possesses and who He is, calling him: "Jesus, Son of the Most High God" (verse 7). The woman understood that all she needed to do was to touch Jesus' clothes to be healed (verse 28). Jairus understood that life comes through Jesus (verse 23).
When you meet Jesus, change happens. Demons meet their match, healing comes to the suffering, and life comes from death. Have you experienced this in your life? If so, are you telling others how much Jesus has done for you like the demon-possessed man (verse 20)? If not, Jesus' words to Jairus are as true today for you as they were for Jairus in verse 36: "Do not be afraid any longer, only believe."
Until there is belief in Jesus, our efforts are futile. Turn to Jesus as the first resort, not the last resort. Be free in Christ and watch as the power of Jesus amazes and completely astonishes people when they see Him at work in your life.
For 33 years, my life was much like this chapter -- my demons being complacency, isolation, people pleasing, and passivity. My internal bleeding was trying to control my circumstances and trusting myself. Those things led to a death of a marriage because of my self reliance. My life seemed hopeless.
What changed me was Jesus. Totally submitting to Him, trusting the promises of His Word. Much like the three we read about today -- the old is gone, and the new has come in my life because of Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Father, may we all live recognizing that Jesus is the Son of the Most High God, realizing the power He has, and listening to His words and not the noise of this world. Amen.
1. What evidence in your life points to Jesus being the Son of the Most High God?
2. With whom are you sharing about what Jesus has done and is doing in your life?
3. What area of your life are you trying to control and what is preventing you from releasing that control to God?
4. Who is your faith and belief in? If you know that it is not Jesus or are unsure and would like someone to discuss it with, please let me know.
WEEKLY FAMILY ACTIVITY
MARK 3-7 (FEBRUARY 13-17)
Read Mark 6:45-52.
* What happened to the weather while the disciples were in the boat?
* How did they feel when they saw Jesus walking on the water?
* What did He say to them in verse 50?
* Are there storms (hard or scary things) happening in your life right now?
* Is it hard to remember that God is with you?
Activity: Fold a piece of paper in half long ways. At the top of the left side write: Verse. On the right side, write: Promise. Look up each of these verses and then write the promises that God gives you in each one: Isaiah 41:10; Isaiah 43:1-3; Joshua 1:9; Psalm 62:6-7; Psalm 46:1; and Matthew 11:28-30.
If you have a storm in your life, pick out one of these verses to memorize to help you remember that God is with you and caring for you. Then think about someone you know who is also going through a storm. Pray for them to remember that God is with them and then write them a note and include one of the verses that you read.