Tag: Mark 5

From Twelve Years Ago Until Today (Mark 5:21-43 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn Devotional1 Comment

Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. 22 And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet 23 and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.” 24 So [Jesus] went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. 25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind [Him] in the crowd and touched His garment. 28 For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” 29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in [her] body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” 31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” 32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” 35 While He was still speaking, [some] came from the ruler of the synagogue’s [house] who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” 37 And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. 38 Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. 39 When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.” 40 And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those [who were] with Him, and entered where the child was lying. 41 Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years [of age]. And they were overcome with great amazement. 43 But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that [something] should be given her to eat.

– Mark 5:21-43 (NKJV)

Twelve years ago, a baby girl was born to a prominent family. They watched her giggle and grow and were blessed by her presence every day. Her smiles brought beauty into the world and her personality brightened their day. Her daddy, Jairus, loved her very much. She was a big part of his world. But today she is a very sick little girl. Her bright smile has been replaced by a painful grimace. She hurts. Her tears and fever wet the pillow her head has been lying on. Her father knows that she needs immediate help. The local doctors say there is nothing they can do for her and she will most likely die soon. He’s been up pacing the village praying and hoping for a solution and then he sees Jesus. He has heard about this man and so he comes and falls down at his feet asking for his help.

Twelve years ago, another family across town was affected in another way. A woman began to bleed and couldn’t stop it. She went to all the doctors. None of them had answers. She tried folk remedies and medicines, nothing worked. Her issue was disgusting and made even her household chores impossible to do. She was weak. People didn’t understand her sickness and it caused her to be an outcast. Then she sees Jesus passing by and has heard of the people he has healed and so she cautiously plots to get close enough, just to touch him as he passes by.

I find the contrast of these people interesting. One is a child, the other an adult. One has had her condition for a long time, the other seems very sudden. One comes from a prominent family, the other seems to be an outcast. One has an advocate, a father who comes on her behalf, the other just simply seeks to touch Jesus as he passes by… but what do they have in common? They have a need and they come in faith that Jesus can do something about it… and he does! He does! He does more than we can ever think or imagine. He does more than we had ever hoped. He stops to speak to the bashful outcast and assures her of her healing. He goes to the little girl and brings her back from the clutches of death! He answers both exactly where there needs arise and blesses them with healing… the touching moment that brought tears to my eyes reading this morning is that he calls the woman, “Daughter.” She was loved too!

What Jesus has done in just a few minutes in this small town is to give us all a glimpse of the jubilation, peace, and security that is found in the Kingdom of God. I hope this passage provokes your heart to worship today and longing for the presence of God where all these worries are put to rest.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. We are grateful for how you worked in the lives of these two daughters. We are grateful for the life you bring to hopeless situations. We are grateful for your kingdom and pray for it to come in it’s fullness and we seek for your will to be done. Please guide us in your will and direction for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.

Go and Tell! (Mark 5:1-20 Devotion)

On By pastorjonathanIn DevotionalLeave a comment

Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, 3 who had [his] dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. 6 When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. 7 And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.” 8 For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!” 9 Then He asked him, “What [is] your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name [is] Legion; for we are many.” 10 Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. 11 Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. 12 So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.” 13 And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. 14 So those who fed the swine fled, and they told [it] in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. 15 Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one [who had been] demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 16 And those who saw it told them how it happened to him [who had been] demon-possessed, and about the swine. 17 Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region. 18 And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him. 19 However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.” 20 And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled.

– Mark 5:1-20 (NKJV)

Jesus does an incredible work and sets this man free from demonic possession, but the people of that region are scared in an unhealthy way. They want Jesus to leave them and go. They are reacting differently than how he was received in most places after a miracle. In those places, Jesus did an incredible work and told the person who was healed “don’t tell anyone.” And then he left the place because it had gotten too crowded.

Yet here, Jesus seems to have crossed the lake for an encounter with just a handful of people. The reaction from the small group gathered here is different. There is only one man pressing in around Jesus and in this instance it is the man who had had the demons cast out of him. Seemingly he is ready to lay aside everything and follow Jesus. To some extent, he probably feels like he needs a fresh start. Maybe he is scared of going back to old habits or maybe he is ashamed of what the townsfolk must think of him. He has every reason to leave and follow Jesus.

But what does Jesus tell him to do? Go home and tell what Jesus has done for him to the people there! He has a testimony to share and the people who knew him before and see him now will know that something has happened. They need to see the gracious power of God at work in this man’s life. Also, they have encouraged Jesus to leave because they are afraid and so Jesus commissions this man to go and be a real and present reminder of the power that he has to transform lives.

We may not have a long and storied history of horrific demon possession, like this man did, but for those who have had an encounter with Jesus, we do have a testimony to share. There are people who won’t gather in or press into an organized religious event, but they’ll listen to a friend or family member share about what God has done in their life. We are all called to “Go” somewhere. Some go to the ends of the earth, others simply go home and share what God has done. So where are you going and who are you telling about what Jesus has done for you?

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Thank you for your amazing grace to save sinners like me. Thank you for the transforming work your word has on our hearts. I pray that we would be a witness for you today. Wherever we are, where ever we go, let us be telling people about what you have done in our lives. Give us courage and boldness today. Please guide us in your will and direction for us. In Jesus Name, Amen.