Mark 5:21-43

M.I.M.

The authority of Christ has been given to Him because of Who He is.

When we feel the Holy Spirit calling us to Him, we need to respond by obeying, falling at His feet, and acknowledging Him as our Savior.

Point #1 The Authority of Christ

Point #2 Responding to that Authority

Good Evening First Baptist!

It’s been a while since we have all come together for a Wednesday night service. 7 weeks actually.

I had the privilege of ending 2025s Wed night services with

expounding upon the first 20 verses of Mark chapter 5,

and I am privileged to start us off in 2026 by picking up where

we left off.

We will be looking at the rest of the chapter tonight,

which will be Mark 5:21-43.

To catch you up from where we were last year,

Jesus had left a crowd at Capernaum after teaching parables to them such as: Sower and Seed, the lamp and the light, and the mustard seed.

As Jesus was sailing across the Sea of Galilee with His

disciples, a storm broke out, and He calmed the wind and sea with His voice. Once ashore, He encounters a man possessed by demons.

They referred to themselves as Legion. Jesus heals this man by casting demons out and permitting them to go into a herd of nearby pigs. In which enraged and terrified the townspeople to the point that they begged Jesus to leave them. So Jesus commissioned the man who had just been saved from living a life void of Christ to go to the Decapolis and share what Jesus had done.

Then Jesus leaves…. And that is where we will pick back up tonight. Tonight we will see a man and woman who knew of Jesus’ ability to heal. They were aware of His compassion on others. They had witnessed and heard about what He had done for others. But they also displayed a belief, through faith, that Jesus could and would attend to their own personal concerns and needs as well. They knew it in their hearts.

We have all encountered someone with a joy that can’t be explained when they are in a difficult circumstance.

Let me tell you…the presence of Christ in your life is enough to get you through whatever situation you are in. It may not be instantaneous. It may not be in our timing. But He will see us through. By the gift of the Holy Spirit, by what He reveals to us through the reading of His Word, and by prayer…..these three things are enough to see us through.

The Gift of the Holy Spirit, to guide and direct us

His divine, inspired, God breathed Word, to encourage us,

and prayer, our alone time with God, where we lay our concerns at His feet, and He hears what our hearts have already told Him.

So as we walk through tonight’s text, I want you to see this account, not as just another historic account of Jesus and how He displayed His love for others through healing, which it certainly is True, Historic, and a display of Love, and Grace…. but see this representation of how Christ works in and through the people who love Him, who put their faith and trust in Him still today.

Still today, In the lives of people you know, and whom you encounter because God has placed them around you, or you around them, ….for a reason.

So, as we begin to read our text…let me tell you that I have two points for you tonight….but the first point has 2 sub points… so I still got my three points in there…but they can be found on the church app or if you are taking notes … they are:

The Authority of Christ

Responding to that Authority

My Meaning in the Message is:

The authority of Christ has been given to Him because of Who He is.

When we feel the Holy Spirit calling us to Him, we need to respond by obeying, falling at His feet, and acknowledging that only through Christ and His Word will we inherit eternal life.

So if you are there with me in Mark chapter 5….

Please stand while I read tonight’s text, then I’ll open us up in prayer.

Starting in verse 21 of chapter 5

(Point #1a)

21: When Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him while He was by the sea. One of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at His feet and kept begging Him, “My little daughter is at death’s door. Come and lay your hands on her so that she can get well and live.”

So Jesus went with him, and a large crowd was following and pressing against Him. A woman suffering from bleeding for twelve years had endured much under many doctors. She had spent everything she had and was not helped at all. On the contrary, she became worse. Having heard about Jesus, she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His robe. For she said, “If I can just touch His robes, I’ll be made well.”

29: Instantly her flow of blood ceased, and she sensed in her body that she was cured of her affliction.

At once Jesus realized in Himself that power had gone out from Him. He turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My robes?”

His disciples said to Him, “You see the crowd pressing against You, and yet You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” But He was looking around to see who had done this. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came with fear and trembling, fell down before Him, and told Him the whole truth.

(Point #1b)

34: “Daughter”, He said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be free from your affliction.”

While He was still speaking, people came from the synagogue leader’s house and said, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher anymore?”

But when Jesus overheard what was said, He told the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.”

37: He did not let anyone accompany Him except Peter, James, and John, James’ brother. They came to the leader’s house, and He saw a commotion - people weeping and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.”

(Point #2)

They started laughing at Him, but He put them all outside. He took the child’s father, mother, and those who were with Him, and entered the place where the child was.

41: Then He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl got up and began to walk. (She was 12 years old.) At this they were utterly astounded. Then He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this and said that she should be given something to eat.

Thank you, you may be seated.

Pray

So, my first sub point under The Authority of Christ is:

(Point #1a:) Recognizing what Jesus’ authority means (vv21-28)

(Explain)

We start this section of the text off with Jesus returning from the region of the Garasenes. Mark states that: a large crowd gathered around Him while He was by the sea. Luke tells us that the crowd welcomed Jesus because they were expecting Him. And just then, a synagogue leader named Jairus asks Jesus to heal his daughter. The synagogue leaders, or synagogue rulers, depending on your translation, were people who organized the services at the synagogues. They were charged with the overseeing of the worship service and the upkeep of the building. They were chosen by the board of elders and they chose the men to read the Scriptures, to offer prayer, and to preach or explain the Scripture for each meeting. They also had the authority to call for an excommunication of a member.

The Greek word used for "Synagogue ruler or synagogue leader is only used four times in Scripture, three of which are mentioned by name in the New Testament. We have Jairus, that we read about here, along with Crispus and Sosthenes that are recorded in chapter 18 of Acts when they invite Paul to speak. There is a 4th Ruler mentioned in Luke 13, who is unnamed in Scripture, but he becomes indignant when Jesus heals on the Sabbath, and he instructs the crowd that they have six other days to come and be healed, and not to have it done on the Sabbath, in which Jesus rebukes him and calls him a hypocrite, as He often did.

There is a good chance that Jairus, being from this area and, and being in charge of organizing those who were to read the Scriptures in the synagogues, had invited Jesus to his synagogue in the past. And I am sure he was well acquainted with the miracles that Jesus had performed in the surrounding area, along with the woman that we will read about as well.

Both of these people that we are going to read about in the next few verses, they knew Jesus had the authority to heal the sick, and they had seen it done or heard about it being done for other people…but probably had not experienced the wondrous works of Jesus in their own personal lives.

So, Jairus’ daughter was sick. Now, we don’t know how long his daughter had been sick. By the way… Luke tells us that she is his only daughter. But I wonder if she was sick when Jesus first spoke at his synagogue, if He did speak there. I wonder if Jairus thought she’ll probably get better on her own or by a doctor, but she didn’t….she grew worse.

Or maybe this illness was sudden. And Jairus knew that he needed to find Jesus, and quick. Maybe Jairus went looking for Jesus by the sea, saw the crowd of people, and thought: “that must be where Jesus is!!” Only to find that the crowd of people were waiting for Jesus to return, and with no where else to go, was forced to wait as well.

This would explain why the professional mourners were already at his house when he and Jesus arrive at Jairus’ house, which we will get to soon. But first….

Jairus asks Jesus to follow him to his house to heal his sick and dying daughter……because she was at death’s door….Jesus agrees.

But along the way he encounters a woman. A woman who is suffering from a bleeding condition. A condition that affects her in so many ways. Not just physically…..but emotionally as well….because of how it affects her ability to be a part of the community.

She was ceremonially unclean, and according to Old Testament law, every bed she laid down on,...... any furniture she sat on, ……

any person that touched that same bed or furniture that she did….., any one who touched her…. or she touched….Would be ceremonially unclean as well.

Leviticus 15:19-30 are the verses that explain, in detail, as to why she would be cut off from the community, you can read that for yourselves. I am not going to go into detail simply because I feel that would be a rabbit trail that would lead us away from what the text is trying to reveal to us,

But basically any woman with a bleeding condition, whether

menstrual or a hemorrhage of some sort, was unclean until 7 days after the bleeding stopped. This woman had been suffering with this bleeding condition for TWELVE YEARS! Twelve LONG years.

After going to doctors for many years, spending all she had, she went to Jesus…..having heard about Him. She said to herself that if she could just touch his clothes, she could be healed. She knew of His healing power. Now, just clarify the text. It says that she went to many doctors first. And how they made her situation worse. I hope we all know that we shouldn’t “save prayer for a last resort” ….that we should go to prayer first,.... this does not mean that we don’t go to the doctor. The text clearly states that she believed Jesus could and would heal her. This wasn’t a case of leaving Jesus as a last resort. This is simply giving a chronological account.

Yes, we need to introduce prayer in all situations….. Good, bad,

small, and great!! And yes, we need to put our faith and trust in Jesus to do what only He can do, but we need to sometimes seek physicians as well. He can and does work through them also. I hope we all know that, and understand what I’m saying.

(Apply)

Both of the people came to Jesus because they heard of His healing power. This is undenyable. But these accounts that we hear of…of Jesus healing so many…. We can’t lose sight of why they are written for us to read about. These healings weren’t just for the physical well-being of those we read about…and it isn’t written to just give us hope that Jesus can and will heal any or all of our afflictions.

Remember what Jesus said in chapter 2 of Mark, to the crowd who was present when He healed the paralytic man. Starting in verse 10 of Mark 2: “But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins, I tell you: get up, pick up your stretcher, and go home.”

“But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins….” These accounts aren’t just about healing after healing.

It IS about coming to Jesus, like these two did, but not just because of what He can do, but because of Faith in who He is.

I hope we all know that Jesus can and does still work miracles today. And I hope you know the authority that He has still today?

Psalm 24:1-2 says: “The earth and everything in it, the world and its inhabitants, belong to the Lord; for he laid its foundation on the seas and established it on the rivers.”

Colossians 1:16-17: For everything was created by Him, in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.”

And our memory verse from a couple years ago….Go, therefore….. Do you know what Jesus says right before that…. Therefore, go and make disciples….why go make disciples? What is right before the “therefore”, where Jeus tells us to go and make disciples?

Right before that is: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. THEREFORE, Go and make disciples.

Hebrews 7:24-25 tells us: “But because He remains forever, He holds his priesthood permanently. Therefore, He is able to save completely those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them.”

Do you understand that the Bible, this collection of “God Breathed” words, tells us of His authority over and over again?

so, are you just aware of the authority that He has…. The authority to forgive sins…and to heal…not just physically, but heal you from the inside…to take a spiritually dead person and give them life…. a new life…

…. Or Do you believe in your heart that He can do that for you?

Or has done that for you?

These are two different questions. They may sound the same on the surface, but they are different.

Are you aware of His authority or do you acknowledge that He can offer what Scripture tells us He offers

vs

Do you believe in your heart that He can, or has done, that for you. Personally. You. Not just others. But you.

This brings us to our second part of the first point.

Point 1b: Jesus hears, cares for, and responds to our needs (vv 29-39)

(Explain)

Belief is… faith, confidence, or trust.

After this woman in the crowd touched Jesus’ robe, she was instantly cured…..and Jesus knew it. He said: “Who touched My robes?” Mark said that Jesus’ disciples explained that people were all around. They were in a crowd….. and back in verse 24 Scripture even says the crowd was pressing in on Him.

It is interesting though, that Mark says the “disciples” said this to Jesus. I am sure they all did. I am not denying what Mark wrote.

But Luke records that Peter spoke this to Jesus. If you remember, Mark is Peter’s disciple. And often, Mark refrains from making Peter look bad throughout his gospel. That’s just a little side note, there. It is things like that in the gospels that James Warner Wallace refers to in his book Cold Case Christianity as unintended eyewitness account statements. He explains how small notes like this gives the Gospels credibility to being eyewitness accounts.

But Jesus knew this “touch” was intentional. It wasn’t just someone from the crowd bumping into Him. Mark says that Jesus was looking around to see who had done it. Matthew records that Jesus turned and saw her. And Luke and Mark, both, tell us that once she knew she was made known, she came with fear and trembling, fell at Jesus’ feet, and told Him the whole truth.

And Jesus responds by saying…in all three synoptic Gospels: “Daughter, your FAITH has made you well.” …….“Your FAITH has made you well.”

Then Mark adds: “Go in peace and be free from your affliction.” Your FAITH has made you well. This Greek word used for “faith” is “Pistis”.

It is defined as: “a strong conviction or BELIEF that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God.”

We may ask ourselves: Why did Jesus even ask: “Who touched Me?”

Well, It wasn’t to call her out. Or make an example of her. It was to give her peace of mind that she was right in what she did. That she didn’t “steal” power from Him. And Jesus didn’t want her to go on thinking that. She reached out to Jesus in FAITH. And we can too. It is at this time that Jairus is told that his daughter is dead, and to not bother the Teacher anymore.

But Jesus tells Jairus: Don’t be afraid. Only BELIEVE.

This word is derived from the Greek word we just looked at, but this

word means: to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something or a saving FAITH.

As they come to Jairus’ house, because it was said that Jairus’ daughter was dead, they encounter a professional mourning. Even the poorest family was required to hire 2 flutes and one wailing woman according to Jewish tradition. And we see in Luke’s account that the sound of flutes were heard.

With Jairus being a synagogue leader, the family would more than likely have been able to afford, and probably did purchase, more than the minimum required. I believe the word "commotion" also confirms this.

And Jesus says to them: “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.”

(Ilustrate)

How do you think you would respond? With doubt? Or with faith?

With turning to the promises of God’s Word? Or with the deafening sound of others from our culture who may not yet have come to a saving faith and been changed by the gospel message?

(Apply)

In both cases here, the woman with the bleeding condition and Jairus, we see ‘belief’ come to life. The woman in the crowd…

She wasn’t rebuked for being “too unclean” to come to Him and neither will we be.

We have mentioned many times about how the Demons know who Jesus is. We have seen it a couple times already as we have gone through Mark’s Gospel on Wednesday nights. The demons calling Jesus by who they know Him to be….Son of the Most High God. And just like we mention almost every week, either on Sunday morning or Wednesday nights, if not both….the best news of the Gospel message.

This is the message of faith that we proclaim: “if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. With the heart one believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth one confesses, resulting in salvation. No one who believes on Him will be put to shame.”

We need to have faith and believe in Jesus’ promises. He doesn’t always promise that everyone we love will be made well. That’s not what I am saying. But in this case, Jesus told Jairus: “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.” And He told Jairus and the crowd: “This child is not dead but asleep.” Those were promises given to Jairus by Jesus.

And we have promises from God’s Word as well

What promises from God’s Word do you need to hold on to right now?

How will you respond to those promises that you need to hold on to?

Those questions bring us to our 3rd and final point.

Point 2: How will you Respond to Jesus’ Authority? (vv40-43)

(Explain)

Right after Jesus asks:

“Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.”, Scripture says that they, the professional mourners, started to laugh at Him. This was a laugh of unbelief. Unbelief that Jesus was speaking was the truth. Unbelief that Jesus could do what He claimed. Unbelief that Jesus was who He said He was.

And what does Jesus do? He put them all outside!

If you have an unbelieving heart, you may still see the results of what Jesus can and does do. But, only those with a believing heart, in who Jesus is, will experience what He can and does do in their own personal lives by giving them assurance of eternal life. This isn’t to say that God can’t use unbelievers to accomplish His will and for His glory, because He does, He has.

But, who does Jesus take with Him into the room with the girl? His closest circle of disciples, Peter, James, and John,... which is a repeated theme throughout the Gospels, Jairus, and Jairus’ wife(the girl’s mother).

Then He took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!”)

Mark is the only gospel writer to include this aramaic phrase: “Talitha koum!” Probably because Mark was a disciple of Peter, and Peter was one of the three disciples that were present during this miracle. He saw it first hand and heard the words that Jesus spoke.

The child arises, and Jesus tells others to bring her some food. And then asks the family not to tell anyone about what happened. He is not looking for fame. Like in the song: “He’d still been God” by the Booth Bros….”It’s not about what He did, it’s all about who He was.” I am not going to sing it for you, I don’t think anyone here was hoping that I would. But if you have never heard it, look it up. It’s an old gospel blue grass, maybe, song. But worth listening to.

And God’s inspired Word says that everyone was: “Completely amazed or astounded” or “overcome with amazement” or “completely astonished.”

However your translation reads.

This was more than what you may picture when someone sees a magic trick they can’t explain.

The Greek word used here is: “ex-is’-tay-mee”. It means: to be thrown out of position, to amaze or astonish.

It comes from a Greek word, meaning: a throwing of the mind out of its normal state or to be wholly fixated on realities shown only by God.

“They were completely beside themselves” is one way the definition explains the meaning of this word.

Jesus demonstrates His love and compassion for the people of this world. Child, arise. Come up out of the trap that the sin of this world has tried to snare you in. For we know that death is the result of sin.

I am not saying that this girl was asleep because of any personal sin she committed, that’s not what I’m saying.

But, make no mistake, death is a direct result of sin in this world. That’s all I’m trying to say.

Jesus has conquered death. And if we are believers, then we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit. And we, through the Holy Spirit, have a helper, a counselor, to steer us from falling into sin. I am not saying that any of us do this perfectly. We don’t. None of us!

And we are to give Him all the praise when He does for us what only He can do.

(Illustrate)

I saw a comic once that had a guy sitting in a recliner down in the sewer, which represented sin, and he was asked: “Why are you down there?” And the man answered: “I stumbled and fell down here, but it’s OK, Jesus still loves me.” And the other man responded: “Yes, He does. That’s why He paid the price He did, so you wouldn’t have to stay down there!” “Repent!”

(Apply)

God’s Word says that He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear. That when we are tempted He will provide a way of escape.”

Now, of course, we do not do this perfectly. I already said that. In NO WAY am I saying we can achieve perfect obedience. God’s Word also says that we are all sinners and that we all Fall short of the Glory of God. But this historic account is here to show us that when we fall into a situation resulting from sin, whatever that situation is, Jesus will be there to take us by the hand and say to us: “Arise” “You don’t have to stay down here in your sin.” “Arise, my child!.

Jesus has the authority on earth to forgive sins.

Do you believe that? Do you believe that regardless of what sin you’ve committed, no matter how big, how recent, or how often…that Jesus is waiting for you with open arms.

(Conclusion)

So, in conclusion, have you recognized the authority Jesus has? And do you believe in your heart that He hears, cares for, and responds to our needs …

Jesus desires a relationship with you. One where you come to Him. Fall on your knees before Him and tell Him everything. So He can cleanse you. Not necessarily “heal you”, physically, it may be that… but cleanse you.

And not just people in general, but you!

Do you believe that?!

Jesus can and does heal today. This account is not just about: what Jesus can do, but the authority He has because of Who He is! It’s about Faith. Believing. Accepting. Falling down before a Holy God, or taking His hand and allowing Him to say to you: “Arise.” And about Jesus showing us undeserving, unmerited, grace and mercy.

Regardless of how He answers your prayers… He does want what is best for you. We may not see it right away, it may not be in our timing. It is in His timing and for His plan, purpose, and glory. But we are to believe in His promises. He told the woman: “Your faith has made you well.” He told Jairus: “Just Believe”.

And He has told us that He will bring good out of every circumstance for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

His Word says that He will never leave us or forsake.

That the work that He started in us, He will see to compilation.

HE! will see it to completion. Not us. Not by our own power.

And all for His glory. It’s not about US. It’s about God. Our Triune God and His love for us.

When He does for us what only He can do…Praise Him. Tell others about the wondrous works He did, and what He can do for others.

How will you respond to Jesus’ authority?

Will you laugh with an unbelieving heart? Say, I’ve heard about what He can do. But not this time. This is too big. I’ve done this too often. Or How can I turn to Jesus after what I just did? I can’t go to Him after that! I’m not worthy. You're right.

But, Jesus doesn’t say: “Come to Me all who ….wait 7 days to become clean first”

He doesn’t say: “Come to me all who….. have made themselves clean after a sinful act of disobedience.”

He says: “Come”. “Just Come!” “Come all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.”

I can’t help but think of the song: “Just as I am”. Man, I love that song. You want to see me tear up…..play that song.

I am tearing up just thinking about it.

Or

Will you believe with all your heart, soul, mind, strength.

“The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who rejects the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him. John 3:36

If you have never turned your life to Jesus and accepted Him as your Savior….. Please don’t leave here without talking to someone. If you feel that tug by the Holy Spirit… give into that… please. If you know that you want to be changed and you don’t know how…. Know that Jesus has a plan for your life to bring Him glory through you…. Give into that… talk to someone…..

It is the single most important decision you will ever make. Let us pray.