As I Travel Along the Way Tests of faith

As we delve into today’s text we are introduced to two characters that had to exhibit admirable human character traits such as persistence, resourceful, ambitious, proactive, decisive, confident, smart, courageous, tough, brave and determination. As we – you and I (human beings) travel through life we often have experiences that are meant to develop us as God’s creation. As a schoolteacher, I am given a set of standards that are to be taught to every student. Once the standards have been studied, the information is presented to the student in a manner in which they understand. Once the student is presented the information in several different ways, like a formal instruction (lecture), interactive activity both group and individual, hands-on application of the concept only then will the teacher give the student the opportunity to show their knowledge of the information in the form of a assessment. Teachers us the term assessment but for the layman we refer to these assessments as tests.

Just as teachers use tests as a tool to gauge student understanding of the overall lesson, God does the same thing for his people. In the todays text there are two people that are experiencing some serious trial in their lives. Some of these trials are not stranger to us.

As we move through the scripture lesson we will see the hand of God testing his people for three basic purposes.

To check for genuineness of faith, develop Christ like character and to purify God’s people.

Bottom like God (the greatest teacher ever) allows life to serve as our formative and summative assessments on material that crops up in our daily lives.

These events occured during the pinnacle of Jesus’ ministry. Word fas spreading fast about his healings and teachings . In the previous verses Jesus had just delivered the man that was demon possessed. Jesus continued his journey by getting on a boat and crossing back on the other (western or northern side of Lake Galilee.

Mark 5:21 ESV

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.

Mark 5:21–23 ESV

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.”

Mark 5:21 ESV

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.

English Standard Version Chapter 5

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.”

Mark 5

Jarius was a leader / ruler of the synagogue.

Jarius was a leader / ruler of the synagogue. Jarius was a man of clout. He was responsible for conducting worship and instruction. Jarius was in charge of the building and its contents. A synagogue ruler was an important and highly respected person. This is mentioned in this text for one purpose and that is to let you know that Jarius had a very different view of Jesus than his counterparts.

Jarius was a leader / ruler of the synagogue.

Our testing the measuring stick to gauge our adeptness of genuine faith. No doubt Jarius was a praying God fearing, torah toting Jew. With all that being said about who he was and what he did on a daily basis at the synagogue, Jarius knew a man with real ability to heal. Jarius in the great crowd of people that met Jesus at the shore but instead of bombarding him and shouts and accolades, Jarius fell at his feet and begged Jesus earnestly in behalf of his daughter’s healing.

Testing proves the genuineness of faith

You maybe wondering now did Rev. Kayla make this leap?

(NKJV) — 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

As long as we live we will have trial after trial. No one is exempt from lifes struggles. You may have financial whoas or be living a life of lack. Others of us maybe experiencing sickness (self or loved ones). Some of us are suffering from identity issues but one thing is for certain as long as you live you will face troubles.

Jarius was interceding for his daughter. A daughter that was so sick that at was certain if Jesus didn’t intervene she would surely die. Jarius knew with every fiber of his being that if Jesus would just lay his hands on her, she would be healed.

Oh but on the journey something strange, unexpected and highly irregular happens. Ts second character is introduced. A woman who had been sick for long time came on the scene.

Like, Jarius this woman had been through some trials over the years. Scripture says this lady was sick with a ‘issue” of blood for 12 long years. She had been subjected to painful exam after exam. At this point in the story these two journey’s collide.

While Jesus was on his way to Jarius’ daughter this woman who was at the end of her ropes heard about a man named Jesus who was performing miracle after miracle. Right now she was standing in need of a miracle. She needed the bonds of sickness to be broken. Scripture said that she knew that to deliberately (intentionally) touch Jesus’ she would be made whole.

It was during this point in both Jarius’ and the woman's journey that God was testing the genuineness of their faith.

A genuine faith is when it looks like there is no resolution but you keep on asking, praying and seeking. You never give up.

According to Dr. Michael Youseff - “While it is true that we are saved by grace through faith, not by works, it is equally true that we demonstrate the genuineness of our faith by living a life that is pleasing to God. If we say we have faith but our way of life does not demonstrate our faith, then is our faith genuine?”

Not only does tests check for genuine faith, Tests also develops Christian Character.

See also

(NKJV) — 3 And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Jarius and the woman both had developed characters. Both of them were persistent. Both of them were humble, but brave all at the same time. I’m sure yo can come up with some additional adjectives.

Knowing that He had been touched Jesus and felt the drain of healing power he stopped and asked who touched me. On this Journey called life sometime we just need a little touch from the Lord.

(ESV)

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.”

Sometimes as we travel along this highway call life we can see someone getting a pass for speeding through the construction zone of life by others in charge like the police. This is what Jarius was facing. He patiently and humbly waited on Jesus to travel to his house to heal his daughter, now this interloper has come and touched him, draining him of some healing power needed to heal Jarius’ daughter. All looked loss in this very moment. As Jesus was speaking to the woman scripture says that a servant from Jarius’ house came to inform him that his daughter had already passed.

Jesus always knows what he can and will do. speaking up he saidDo not fear, only believe. Sometimes that is easily said than done. For we see with our eyes one thing. Jesus is asking that we believe those things that we can’t see. Doesn’t the words say that faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God.

God’s word to Jarius was don’t fear, only believe.

When you believe you must have like minded people with you on the journey. Jesus brings with him Peter, James and John. Only three out of twelve. Although, you may have a large prayer group or circle of friends some of them can’t go where you're going on your Journey. We see Jesus armed with the proper people. Nay sayers need not apply.

When they came to Jarius’ house Jesus came face to face with the paid weepers crying and causing a commotion. Even with all the loud weeping and wailing Jesus entered and said “the child is not dead but sleeping.” The professional mourners laughed at Jesus.

Testing purifies God’s people

(NKJV) — 10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.

Mark 5:40–43 ESV

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.

When we as children of the king are being tested we have to go through some things to come out pure as snow. Ad the young people I teach like to say, boy she/ he is acting all brand new because ________ happened. When you are being tested things that take your focus off Christ have to be put to death so that other Christian essentials can be raised to life. The scripture says, Jesus put the naysayers out, but keep those who believe Jesus is a miracle worker in with the child and began to work a miracle.

When you pass God’s test those dead situations are buried and raised up in their place are those christian attributes such as joy, peach, hope, and love begin to flourish in the life of the believers. When we pass the tests all we need to do is get up and continue to walk and work towards his glory. Jesus called the young lady out of her dead state. What is Jesus calling you out of. Is he calling you out of physical or mental illness, is he calling you out of prosperity, or is he calling you out of a bad relationship. Regardless of what God is calling you out of, when you have been resurrected a new you must constantly be feed the word of the Lord. Just because you have been resurrected yo must read Gods word daily.

Jesus our healing God, our Savior, our all in all wants to set yo free from sin. The only way to do that is to be washed in the blood of the lamb that was slain for you and for me.

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