From Wonder to Wonder pt 3 Girl raised from the dead

From Wonder to Wonder

2 weeks ago we started a series of Messages titled From Wonder to Wonder. The first type of wonder is a doubt filled wonder. In many cases this is where people start when they don’t understand something. However, when God is involved (and He usually is), the second wonder occurs where by faith we are awestruck surprised and generally in admiration of who God is and what He is capable of.

We’ve read some Biblical events including what happened on the first Pentecost after the resurrection in Acts 2. Today is Pentecost Sunday. As Christians and followers of Christ, we remember that God sent His Holy Spirit to us in order that we might have both power and peace. The result of the Holy Spirit coming on the disciples was speaking in tongues and a boldness upon Peter to preach a message that resulted in 3000+ believing.

Last week we looked at the wonder-filled event of Sarah and Abraham having baby Isaac at 100 years old. We had a few in the congregation share their own wonder-filled testimonies of how they’ve seen God work both recently and over their lifetime. I hope to leave some time at the end of the message time to hear some additional testimonies. If you are watching the online stream and would like to share, let us know. We’d like to try to do a Facebook messenger video call with you live...

Today, we are going to examine a passage from Mark chapter 5. This is a chapter full of miracles.

Mark 5:21–24 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.” 24 And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.

Jesus Expected - Asked to heal a little girl

Jesus comes to a village on the other side of the lake where he had just healed a man from a legion of spirits. Once he arrives, a crowd gathers and a leader of the synagogue approaches Jesus with a request. Obviously he has heard about what Jesus has done, that is the only explanation for the request.

A little side note about the term synagogue leaders… Jarius was likely one of 2 or more leaders of the synagogue. They were paid by the synagogue and were responsible for the building, funds of the synagogue and procuring any supplies needed such as scrolls for reading. He was also responsible for organizing the gatherings and finding lay members to do the readings, prayer and preaching/teaching. He would ensure the teaching was scriptural. In other words this leader was entrusted with general oversight of the synagogue.

With all of that said, this man’s word in the synagogue meant a lot. People looked up to him as a leader. What he had to say meant a lot. For this man to approach Jesus and fall at his feet was an act of both faith and humility.

We get the sense from this passage that there is a great urgency in the man’s request… “So Jesus went with him.”

Let’s keep reading...

Mark 5:25–29 ESV

25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.

Jesus interrupted by woman of faith

Like Jarius, this unnamed woman know the reputation of Jesus. She know He is able to heal, but rather than ask Jesus for this healing, she just wants to get close enough to touch his garment thinking that is all she needs to be healed.

In OT law, if a woman is bleeding, she is unclean until she stops bleeding. She is not allowed to enter a synagogue to worship. If anyone touches her, that person is also unclean. So in a way she has had “social distancing” for 12 years. She just wants to be set free. We can certainly relate to that.

Hear is the progression of events for her: she heard, she came and she touched. For Mark, this is a common pattern in order to become a disciple. First, we hear about Jesus. Once we hear, we have a decision to make…will we come forward? This woman came to Jesus in Faith. Finally we much be touched by Jesus to get healing. This woman had a physical need that needed healing, but we all have a spiritual need that needs healing.

Let’s read what happens next:

Mark 5:30–34 ESV

30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 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.”

Jesus interrupted by woman of faith

This is so funny to me. I can imagine the confused look on the disciples face. “Jesus are you for real right now? There are SO many people around…of course someone touched you…EVERYONE touched you!”

In Luke, Jesus said this in response to his disciples:

Luke 8:46 ESV

46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.”

Jesus interrupted by woman of faith

This woman that touched him was just looking for a healing. She wanted her life back. She just wanted this bleeding to stop, but Jesus, while able to offer that was looking for a relationship with the woman. The healing is not the goal for Jesus. The goal is right relationship of people with God.

This woman who was likely shunned by the community because of her uncleanness is asked to step forward and be identified. This is also part of our restoration process back to God. We must be willing to confess where we’ve come from and why we’ve come to Jesus in faith.

The result for this woman is to be freed from her suffering. We could all use that. For this woman, 12 years of suffering and shame are resolved with a momentary touch of Jesus!

In the typical Mark story telling style, our attention is quickly pulled back to the main story - Jarius and his dying 12 year old daughter:

Mark 5:35–43 ESV

35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 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.

Jesus “wakes” the daughter from “sleep”

Come on Church. Jesus just said “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” (Repeat this). How our outlook on life could change with these 5 words. “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

What are you going through where you just need to hear Jesus say to you “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

This virus that has so many fearful: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” This doesn’t mean we don’t take precautions.

Your finances: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” This doesn’t mean we will be wealthy or that we should spend with no regard.

Your other health issues: “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” At some point it will be our time to go and it will likely be because of an illness, but Jesus still says “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Did you know that it was custom for the family of a dying person to hire professional mourners. That is likely who is referenced her crying and wailing loudly. These people were always around death and dying. They “knew” what was going to happen, so when confronted by Jesus that the girl was not dead, they just laughed at him.

Here is our first wonder. They doubted to the point of laughing at Jesus. Last week, Sarah laughed and this week, mourners laughed at a promise from God. But THEN!

God shows up in His mighty ways and Jesus calls this girl to get up. Then everyone there went from wonder to WONDER! They were AMAZED, ASTONISHED, OVERWHELMED! Come on now!

This is what happens when God shows up. We go from wonder or doubt to a faith filled wonder.

From Wonder to Wonder

In just a minute, I want to ask if there are any testimonies of God’s wonder in your life you would like to share. While those who have been prompted to share get ready, I want to ask if you’ve taken the steps to respond to the wonder of God in your own life personally.

This morning you’ve heard about Jesus. Like the woman who came for healing Jesus calls us to come to Him. The way to do this is to just start off saying that you need Him.