Follow Jesus Series 14

The Broadness Of God’s Love

Text: Mark 5:22-43

Introduction

Let’s take a moment and introduce the people in this two for one story.

First up we have a fella by the name of Jairus:

He was an important synagogue officer.

He attended both logistical and spiritual matters.

He also oversaw the activities (speaker & speeches) of the synagogue.

He was a well esteemed member of the community.

He was no doubt a man of considerable wealth.

He was about to lose his dying daughter.

His daughter was 12 years old.

Second up we have a woman of the community:

She is an anonymous woman suffering from an incurable disease (hemorrhage).

She would be considered a “nobody.”

She had reached the point of bankruptcy.

What we will learn today is the beautiful wideness of Jesus’ love and mercy.

1) The Plea Of Jairus

A. This was a plea from a loving father

I’m not sure how long his darling little girl was suffering from this disease or how much money Jairus had thrown at up to this point.

He was prestigious, religious and had wealth.

There is no doubt he prayed—A prayer without the intercessor is useless!

His prestigious only gained him attention from people who had the same limitations he had.

His wealth would run out.

What I do know for sure is that He made a beeline to Jesus once He came in view.

It took death visiting this family before they sought after Jesus.

He left his reputation, prestige, office and wealth behind!

He did not stop to care about what other thought of him.

He was going to bring the best to his daughter!

APP — Oh how we need parents today who truly care about the needs of their children.

B. The was a please from the faith of a father

He approached Jesus as the one is GREATER than all he had and the disease who would soon take his daughter’s life.

He came to Jesus knowing He was the ONLY ONE he could turn too.

Notice Jairus’ posture and word’s of faith (v.22-23)

He saw, he fell and then he begged.

He truly believed if Jesus would only touch his daughter, she would be healed.

In light of his background, his faith is something to be admired.

His humility, his sacrificial spirit, willing to lose all to gain Christ for his child.

Jesus went with him!

Why did Jesus continue to remain in this area? ANS — He was wanted!!!

APPLICATION

Don’t remove Jesus from your child’s life so they might gain the world, but remove the world so they might gain Christ.

JESUS WENT WITH HIM — Jesus will remain where He is wanted.

The agreement of Christ followed Jairus’ humility — James 4:10 “10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”

Proverbs 29:23 “23 A man’s pride shall bring him low: But honour shall uphold the humble in spirit.”

Remember, Jesus came to be a servant to a most desperate creation — Philippians 2:7 “7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:”

2) The Woman’s Interruption

A. She encountered an inability to be healed

Take in her situation:

You can only imagine how the pain and emotional pressure dissolved her strength every day.

When you add together the level of disappointment the doctors gave her, her worsening condition and her now empty bank account, you wonder how she even went this long.

On top of all of that, her religious and social life was severely restricted.

Her opportunity came walking by

Question: What do you consider great opportunities? (More money, scholarships, special trips)

It is always so sad that when opportunities are given to you to turn to Jesus, they are often met with hesitancy and excuses.

She had plenty of excuses that could have been used:

I’ve tried everything and nothing has worked…why bother?

It looks like Jesus is busy with Jairus, I’ll just wait for a time when He is not busy.

Jesus may rebuke me if I make Him my last resort.

Notice how she responded (v27-29)

She left all excuses behind and came by faith to Jesus.

Question — what kind of faith did she have?

ANS — weak and timid

Aren’t you thankful Jesus welcomes the mustard seed faith?!!!

When you believe, Jesus shares his power and change comes to your life.

She made one great attempt to reach Jesus and she was not left with any disappointment!

The crowd thronged Jesus, but she trusted Jesus!

B. Jesus responds to her faith

Her plan was to do all this in secret. Jesus did not let that happen.

Jesus made this moment of faith and healing a public knowledge…WHY?

First of all, Jesus did it for her own benefit.

Notice the tenderness Jesus extends to her.

He wanted her to see His face.

He wanted her to hear His words of assurance.

Jesus wanted to look His newborn daughter in the eyes and welcome her into her brand new life of spiritual peace!

Philippians 4:7 “7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Jesus did not want her to be ashamed of what His power had done for her.

Secondly, Jesus knew this would help Jairus’ faith.

Jesus knows the level of encouragement your faith needs today.

Now, this may have not seemed like encouragement to Jairus.

They were on their way to his daughter, and this woman stops them.

No doubt it was better to face the news Jairus is getting ready to face following this miracle than without it.

3) The Presence Of Hopelessness

A. Jesus Is More Than A Teacher

We should not be surprised at the doubt of an unbeliever.

Jairus was at risk of losing his heart.

The devil is on a mission to remove any amount of faith you have in Jesus.

Mark 4:3-9 “3 Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: 4 And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. 5 And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: 6 But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. 8 And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. 9 And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”

Luke 22:31 “31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:”

This can be accomplished at home, around family, at work, in a mind absent of scripture and sadly even around other believers.

Jairus had two choices; believe his friends or the Lord.

Notice Jesus’ quick response:

Don’t entertain the emotion of fear… “ONLY BELIEVE.”

Literal translation: “Be not afraid, go on believing.”

Jesus was saying, “Just keep trusting Me.”

Jesus was saying, “You know how your faith has grown since you approached me and witness me heal this woman. Keep on believer!”

However, his daughter was still alive earlier. Now, she is dead.

APP — It is easy for us to give way to doubt when the circumstances feel overwhelming.

The greatest weapon you have to defeat doubt and fear is the Sword of the H.S.

What Jesus just did for Jairus is done through His Spirit today for you!

His Spirit will never let you forget who your Savior is.

While others may doubt and ridicule the person and power of Jesus, RENEW your mind and stand fast in what you know to be true.

B. Jesus shows His power to those who trust Him. (v.40-43)

Peter, James, John and her parents.

We learn and important lesson here.

Those who WALK in faith, WITNESS God’s amazing powerful grace!

Jesus needed to send out witnesses to tell the truth about what was about to happen.

They arrive at Jairus’ house to meet once again surrounded by doubt, despair and death.

The crowd mocked Jesus’ words.

Notice how Jesus describes death.

Jesus’ describes death in such a way for them to understand His power.

Death to the life giver is like sleep to us.

1 Thess. 4:13-14 “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. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

Notice how Jesus speaks to this little girl (v41).

“I” — it was by Jesus’ authority.

She came back to life and completely healed of her disease.

APPLICATION

Jesus has the ability to put life into our dead soul!

Ephesians 2:1 “1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

Jesus is the great conqueror over danger, demons, disease and death!

DOES NOT mean Jesus must rescue His people from every trouble or affliction.

IT DOES mean that Jesus is the ultimate authority and therefore you should NEVER FEAR NOR DOUBT.

Romans 8:37 “37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”

Conclusion

Jesus does not hide away his loving grace from certain classes of people.

Jesus extends His saving grace to all and desires all to come to him.