Mark 5 21-45 2006
Pentecost 6
July 16, 2006
Mark 5:21–24a, 35–43
“Hold On to Christ!”[i]
During the season of Pentecost, the word of the Gospel is shown to go forth and accomplish great things. This word of Christ has the power of the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. The raising of Jairus’s daughter reveals how Jesus’ word has great power upon the soul and life of mankind, even as it goes forth today with the Holy Spirit’s power—in preaching, Absolution, and the holy Sacraments—to a world desperate for life and hope.
Introduction: Two sisters were going to stay overnight at a friend’s house. As they were packing their things, Kristin, the older of the two, took her teddy bear off her bed and packed it in her overnight bag. She could not sleep without her teddy bear, and it gave her comfort knowing he would be with her. After she had finished packing, she looked in on her little sister to see how she was doing getting ready for their stay away from home. It was the first time Katie was staying overnight at a house not her own, and Kristin knew she was a little nervous. As she walked into Katie’s room, to her surprise, Katie was trying to take a picture off the wall above her bed. “What are you doing?” Kristin asked. “I’m taking my picture of Jesus with me.” “Katie, we’re just staying overnight. We’re not moving. Why don’t you pick out a teddy bear like me? That’s better to take overnight to someone’s house.” “No,” Katie answered, “Daddy told me that Jesus watches over me, and I’m not going away without him,” she said, clinging tightly to the picture! Not a bad idea! When Doubt and Unbelief Assail Us, Hold On to Christ! In our Gospel lesson, Jesus returns to Capernaum to a waiting crowd. The miracles wrought by the Savior have afforded him much popularity. Jesus did many great things among the people of Capernaum. His teaching and power were unlike any they had ever seen. The crowd, which had been waiting for his return, was great and pressed upon him in every direction.
Out of the masses stepped Jairus, with a request of Jesus. His daughter was dying. Would Jesus come and heal her? This man of authority knows that his authority cannot help his daughter. He needs Jesus! How desperately we also need Jesus! (Give examples of our fears, especially our fear of death.)
Jesus, moved to compassion by the suffering of Jairus, travels with him to his home. However, Jairus’s faith will face challenges along the way. While on their journey, they are delayed. Jairus receives news that his daughter has died. Our faith is often challenged. Even some of the most faithful people I have known have questioned why God has allowed a particular suffering into their lives. This is a human thing to do. For we often do not see with the eyes of faith. Still I also see the Spirit of God that compes these same people to trust in God and His mercy and His fatherly love.
A faith without challenges is like a boat that’s never been float-tested before. There was a town that gained notoriety as the place that produced a cement boat. After its first time out of the shop and on the lake, a reporter asked the inventors if they thought the demonstration would convince consumers to trust a cement boat. They replied that the boat hadn’t yet passed its first real test. “After it’s been through its first storm, then people will begin to have confidence in it.” So it is with faith. In those times of crisis, it’s tested, and yet it clings to Christ and perseveres.
Faith that clings to Jesus will not be disappointed. “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Faith holds on to Jesus in the midst of troubles. Sometimes the impossible happens, after all things are possible for God.
A little girl and her brother loved to watch professional baseball on television. They each dreamed of being a batgirl or batboy for a home game. One day as their mother was shopping at the grocery store, she entered the children’s names in a contest that the store was having. Some time later, while his sister was out playing, the boy answered the phone. He couldn’t believe it. He’d won the contest! He was invited to be the honorary batboy for the next home game. What’s more, his sister had won too! She was to be the honorary batgirl the same night! The boy was so excited he ran up stairs to tell his mom. Oops! Halfway up the steps he remembered—he’d forgotten something! Back down the stairs, out the door, and shouting—his sister had to hear too! Dear Christian brothers and sisters, the news that Jesus has exchanged our sin for his righteousness, our death for his eternal life and glory in heaven, is infinitely more wonderful, and God has made us ambassadors to shout that news to everybody else to whom it belongs, to everyone (2 Cor 5:18–20). Let’s not forget something so important.
Jesus heals the daughter of Jairus. When they arrive, the mourners are already grieving. Jesus assures them that by his power the little girl is only sleeping. They mock him, for the unbelieving world cannot accept the things of faith.
Jesus takes charge. He takes the girl’s parents, Peter, James, and John with him into the girl’s room. As her parents’ thin thread of faith believes, Christ raises the child to life again.
The same almighty power of Christ overcomes death for us. Jesus himself faced death head-on at the cross. Jesus conquered death by arising victoriously. That victory over death he has given eternally to us by faith.
Conclusion: Faith in Christ never disappoints. Jairus had his impossible request fulfilled when he placed his trust in the Lord of Life. By clinging to Jesus, his faith grew and his daughter was given back to him. Are you clinging to Jesus in your life? What are the situations to which Jesus is speaking to you, “Don’t be afraid; just believe”? May our dear Lord grant you a faith that clings to him, for Jesus is your Savior and He come to save you. Amen!
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[i] Rev. Michael W. Wollman, senior pastor, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Kingsville, Maryland
