Mark 5:35-43 “When Hope Seems Lost”

Introduction of Potential Elders:

Before we move on this morning, I want to take a few minutes to share something with you concerning the leadership and spiritual care of our church.

As a church, I want to be intentional about recognizing and developing men who can help serve and care for the body of Christ.

With that in mind, there are two men we have been prayerfully considering for the office of elder at Calvary Chapel Sonora, and I want to introduce them to you this morning.

When I consider potential elders, I'm not necessarily looking for someone to step into a role they aren't already fulfilling. I'm looking for men who are already serving the body, leading ministries, caring for people, and demonstrating godly character.

In many ways, the process is recognizing what God is already doing in their lives and the ministry He has entrusted to them.

The two men we are considering are:

Matt Mariscal, who oversees our youth ministry and co-leads our young adult group.

Mike Thomas, who leads our Thursday morning Bible study and The Get Outdoors Adventures.

Biblical Qualifications:

Scripture gives us clear qualifications for those who serve as elders, particularly in 1 Timothy 3:1–7 and Titus 1:5–9.

These qualifications are not simply a list of preferences, but the biblical standard for those entrusted with the spiritual oversight and care of God's church.

In 1 Timothy 3, Paul gives us the following qualifications for an elder:

Qualifications of an Elder — 1 Timothy 3:1–7 (NLT)

Above reproach

Faithful to his wife

Exercises self-control

Lives wisely

Has a good reputation

Hospitable

Able to teach

Not a drunkard

Not violent

Gentle

Not quarrelsome

Not a lover of money

Manages his own family well

Has children who respect and obey him

Not a new believer

Not proud or conceited

Has a good reputation with people outside the church

Congregational Input:

As we consider these men for the office of elder, I want to give our church family an opportunity to raise any legitimate biblical concerns before moving forward.

If you have a specific concern that either of these men does not meet the qualifications we've just looked at in Scripture, I would ask that you come speak with me directly and privately in the next two weeks.

This isn't about personal preferences or disagreements, but about making sure that those entrusted with the spiritual care of this church meet the qualifications God has established in His Word.

We want to approach this process prayerfully, carefully, and with the good of the church in mind.

Introduction: “ When Hope Seems Lost”

Last week, we looked at Jairus coming to Jesus because his twelve-year-old daughter was at the point of death.

Jairus was desperate. He fell at Jesus' feet and pleaded with Him to come and heal his daughter.

Jesus agreed to go with him, but along the way, something unexpected happened.

A woman who had suffered for twelve years with a flow of blood reached out and touched Jesus' garment. Jesus stopped to minister to her.

While Jesus was meeting one person's need, Jairus was left waiting.

We aren't told what was going through his mind, but we know he was in a desperate situation.

And sometimes, that's how things happen in our own lives. We're waiting on the Lord, praying for Him to work, but instead of things getting better, they seem to get worse.

That's exactly what happens to Jairus.

Before Jesus can reach his house, messengers arrive with devastating news: his daughter has died.

But what we're going to see in this passage is that even when circumstances seem hopeless, Jesus is still worthy of our trust.

1. (V35-36) While He was still speaking, some came and said your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher

When hope seems lost, trust Jesus (vv. 35–36)

Context:

Remember, Jairus was a ruler of the synagogue. He was a man of position, authority, and influence within the Jewish religious community.

Many of the religious leaders opposed Jesus and were increasingly hostile toward Him. Yet here we find Jairus coming to Jesus, falling at His feet and pleading for help.

His daughter's desperate condition brought him to a place where his position, influence, and authority meant nothing. He needed Jesus.

It didn't matter who he was or what position he held. He needed the Lord.

a) Your daughter is dead (V35)

He had enough faith to come to Jesus, but now his faith was being tested by devastating news.

Jesus knew the girl would die and yet he allowed the difficult circumstance

He met the need of the women, which allowed the faith of Jairus to be be tested

Imagine what must have gone through his mind.

Then they ask, "Why trouble the Teacher any further?"

In other words, there is no longer any reason to bring Jesus into this situation. She's dead. There's nothing more He can do.

From their perspective, death had brought an end to what Jesus could do.

b. Do not be afraid; only believe (V36)

Jesus gives Jairus two commands.

First, do not be afraid.

Jesus wasn't dismissing his grief or minimizing the situation.

Jesus understood the natural human emotion would be to fear this terrible news

But He was calling Jairus not to allow fear to take control.

When are focus is on the problem it can overwhelm us

Keep your eyes on me

Second, only believe.

Jesus didn’t go into a long explanation and explain the situation, he simply said, do not be afraid, only believe

Jesus was calling Jairus to continue trusting Him, even though the circumstances had changed.

Jairus had come believing Jesus could heal his sick daughter. Now he was being asked to trust Jesus when his daughter was dead.

The test was an opportunity to put faith into practice

His circumstances had changed, but Jesus had not.

Application: There are times when circumstances change, and things don't turn out the way we had prayed or hoped.

We begin to question, worry, and try to figure out how God could possibly work through our circumstances.

But our confidence cannot be based on how things look. It must be based on who Jesus is. (Do we believe He is good ?)

Remember, He is with us, especially in our darkest hour

Jairus couldn't change what had happened, and he couldn't understand why things had unfolded the way they did. But he could continue trusting Jesus.

Faith means continuing to trust Jesus when you cannot see how He is going to work.

Proverbs 3:5–6 — "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths."

2. (V37-40) Why make this commotion and weep, but they ridiculed Him

2. Don't Let Unbelief Distract You From Trusting Jesus (Vv. 37–40)

a) Jesus takes only a few with Him (V. 37)

Jesus does not allow the entire crowd to accompany Him. He takes Peter, James, and John.

These three were often part of Jesus' inner circle and would witness several significant moments in His ministry, including the Transfiguration and His time in Gethsemane.

😂 Guzik said in his commentary, Often these three are considered the “inner circle” of Jesus’ disciples. Yet it could be just as true that Jesus knew He had to keep a special eye on these three.

b) The crowd responds with mourning (V38–39)

When Jesus arrives, He finds a commotion. People are weeping and wailing.

This was likely a combination of family, friends, and professional mourners who had gathered to grieve the girl's death.

Jesus was not denying the reality of her death.

He was declaring that death would not have the final word. What was permanent in the eyes of those around Him was about to be reversed by His power.

c) The crowd responds with ridicule (V. 40)

Notice their response: "And they ridiculed Him."

They went from mourning to mocking.

They couldn't understand how Jesus could possibly say such a thing.

As far as they were concerned, the situation was beyond hope.

But their unbelief didn't change what Jesus was about to do.

Application: Be careful whose voices you allow to influence your faith.

There will be people who don't understand your decision to trust God. Some may question your faith, discourage you, or tell you that there is no reason to keep believing.

We need to be careful not to allow the unbelief of others to determine our confidence in Christ.

3. (V41-43) Immediately the girl arose and walked and they were overcome with great amazement

3. Nothing Is Beyond the Authority of Jesus (Vv. 41–43)

a) Jesus takes her by the hand (V. 41)

Jesus puts everyone outside, takes the girl's father and mother, along with Peter, James, and John, and enters the room where the child is lying.

He takes her by the hand and says, "Talitha, cumi," which is translated, "Little girl, I say to you, arise."

The religious leaders had ridiculed Him, the mourners had laughed at Him, but Jesus simply takes this little girl by the hand and speaks to her.

Jesus didn't need to perform some elaborate ceremony or make a great display. He simply spoke, and His authority was enough.

b) Immediately she gets up (V. 42)

Mark tells us that immediately the girl arose and walked.

Those in the room were overcome with great amazement.

Think about what Jairus had just witnessed.

He had come to Jesus hoping that his daughter would be healed. He had waited while Jesus ministered to someone else. He had received the devastating news that his daughter had died.

What everyone else believed was impossible was not impossible for Jesus.

Jesus demonstrated that even death was subject to His authority.

c) Jesus gives instructions to care for her (V. 43)

Jesus then gives them strict instructions not to tell anyone what had happened and tells them to give her something to eat.

I love this detail because it shows the compassion of Jesus.

After performing this incredible miracle, His concern is that this little girl be given something to eat.

Jesus not only had the power to raise her from the dead, but He also cared about her immediate physical needs.

Application: This passage reminds us that Jesus is not limited by the things that limit us.

Jairus had reached the end of what he could do. The messengers believed there was no reason to trouble Jesus any further. The mourners believed the situation was hopeless.

But they underestimated who Jesus was.

There are things in our lives that are beyond our ability to fix or control. But we serve a Savior whose authority is not limited by our circumstances.

This doesn't mean God will always answer our prayers the way we want or when we want. But it does mean that nothing is beyond the authority of Jesus.

And ultimately, even death does not have the final word for those who belong to Christ.

Jesus is worthy of our trust, even when we cannot see what He is doing.