Mark 5: I Told You So!

Big Idea:

You can confidently put your faith in Jesus.

Intro:

Hi Everyone! Welcome to Church Online. As always, I’m so glad you decided to join us today.

Last Sunday was probably one of my favorite sermons of the year (so far)! There’s just something about proclaiming the promises of Jesus. And the promise we emphasized is that Jesus is bringing a harvest. That His Kingdom will come, His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. I love that! I love the hope it brings. But I also believe it’s NECESSARY for us to be reminded of this promise. Because honestly, it appears to exist in the realm of paradox. And that’s a difficult place for people to process.

If you don’t know what a paradox is, it’s when something is true but seems to contradict itself, therefore feels like it’s false. For example, look at this picture. Let this tease your brain for a while.

Now my point isn’t to turn this into a philosophical conversation. Rather, it’s to highlight that paradoxes exist in the Kingdom of God. I give you a couple of examples:

Considering the biblical concepts of free-will vs predestination, the question is often asked, “Did God choose me or did I choose God?” I believe the answer is, “Yes.” An internal record scratch just went off in many of your heads.

Here’s another one… When I place my faith in Jesus, do I exist in perfect righteousness (because of Jesus) or am I a sinner? “Umm… Yes.”

Is the Kingdom of God here or is it yet to come? “Yes.”

And last week we talked about Jesus and the promised harvest. Is there a harvest now or is it still to come? “Yes.”

All of these things present a sort of paradox. They all present biblical truth, but they seem to be contradictory because we have a finalized truth presented while the realization (and our experience of it) is still unfolding.

I think we’re starting to wade into deep waters, so I’ll stop here. But again, my reason for bringing this up is I believe it’s good for us to remember what Jesus has promised (actually, has guaranteed), because although we may not currently experience these finalized realities, doesn’t mean one day we won’t. In fact, I’m confident we will! I believe one day we will see the harvest Jesus promised and He’ll look at us and say, “I told you so!”

We can’t trust the hope, victory, peace, and healing Jesus promises now, even if our experience of it doesn’t come until later. And in Mark 5, Jesus begins to slowly teach his disciples this. In Mark 4, He promises the harvest is coming. And now, He’s going to prove it to them with the hope they will believe Him, even when they don’t currently experience circumstances that agree. Even though they live in a sort of paradox.

And I believe this is important for us today. Whether it’s new of war, worldwide pandemics, or a collapsing economy, culture, or even failing family circumstances, sometimes it doesn’t feel like the Kingdom of God is here. It doesn’t feel like there will ever be a harvest in our community. But Jesus assures us, “You can confidently put your trust in Me!”

Let’s dig into God’s word and see this for ourselves....

Mark 5:1–5 ESV

They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.

For our Glastonbury residents, remember last year when we were having a lot of car thefts? And our town was having trouble addressing this because these crimes were done by minors, which limited the actions of law enforcement... And how this brought a sense of anxiety to our community. Like you never felt safe?

When I read this passage, it’s a similar situation - times 1000. Think about how this man is describe. It’s this picture of unstoppable evil. Verse 5 says, “No one had the strength to subdue him.” Imagine this guy wandering around loose in our community - not teenagers. It’s this picture of an evil power that cannot be stopped. And it sucks the hope from your life.

But I want to remind you of an important truth...

1) Jesus’s power is unmatched.

Nothing compares to it. And we see that in the following...

Mark 5:6–8 ESV

And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”

Two things:

Notice the role reversal. This guy was creating fear in his community, but then Jesus shows up and he’s afraid. That’s because he can’t match Jesus’s power. Not even close.

But, as a last second resort, he does try. Did you guys notice the very descriptive and thorough name the demon-possessed man uses? It’s not because he has very good theology. It’s because, back then, there was this mystical belief that calling out a persons name could give you authority over their life. This was likely a desperate attempt to control Jesus.

Obviously, it didn’t work… Verse 9 says, “And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” Not that Jesus is validating the mystical belief that the use of one’s name gave you control, but He is clarifying, “Um NO. I have the power. I have the authority. What’s your name.”

“He replied, ‘My name is Legion, for we are many.” Um… that’s creepy. There’s various thoughts about what this means. Some think that the reference to “two thousand pigs” in verse 13 implies there were two thousand demons in this man. That’s possible. Regardless, what is clear, is there many many demons tormenting and empowering this man to do evil. No wonder no human could stop him.

Mark 5:10–13 ESV

And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea.

This is a little bit of a weird part of the story, but it does teach us something important: The evil present in this world is not looking to partner with us. It’s looking to destroy. It’s especially looking to destroy humans who are made in the image of God. Evil is not our friend. And it will ruin our lives if we allow it to. But that’s NOT WHAT JESUS HAS COME TO DO!

Mark 5:14–15 ESV

The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid.

Jesus has come to bring salvation. He has come to bring life. And He has the power to do it. The greatest amount of evil is NOTHING to Him. It cannot stop Him. But… do we believe this?

Mark 5:16–17 ESV

And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region.

Many don’t believe this. In fact, many don’t want this. Even when they hear about Jesus having the power to fix everything, they ask Him to leave. Ask yourself, is that your response after each sermon you hear?

I hope not. I hope we respond this way...

Mark 5:18 ESV

As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him.

As Jesus was leaving (at the request of the people that He loves and came to save), there was one person who had a different response. In fact, He begged Jesus to be WITH Him. This is a response of someone who has experienced the power of God. Whose life has been radically changed.

Mark 5:19–20 ESV

And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

I love that last part… “everyone marveled.” I picture Jesus turning to His disciples and saying, “I told you so. That’s what I came to do. Do you trust Me yet? Do you believe the Kingdom is coming? That there will be a harvest?”

The question is something I believe the Holy Spirit is asking us today!

Look, there is still evil overpowering the world today. Maybe your life. Maybe your community and the ones you love. But Jesus says to us this morning, “I can fix it. I have the power to change everything. Do you believe it?”

Which leads us to my second point...

2) There’s nothing Jesus can’t do.

As the story continues...

Mark 5:21–24 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. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 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.” And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.

Okay, Jairus gets it. He’s moving in the right direction. Believing Jesus has the power to change lives. I like it.

Mark 5:25–26 ESV

And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.

Once again, I want to speak to our Glastonbury people, because I think we can relate to this passage. Doesn’t this describe two groups of people present in our community?

People of power.

And people with resources.

And both those things can be helpful in this life, yet the truth is, they can neither fully satisfy or save us. How many people do we know have both (maybe we have both these things) yet are still miserable? That’s because there are things we experience in this life, whether it’s evil or the consequences of sin, that leads to brokenness we can’t fix.

People get unexplainably sick.

People fight losing battles with mental health.

Marriages and other relationships fail.

And no matter what we try, what we buy, or what our friends suggest, it doesn’t get better. Like this woman experienced, it just gets worse.

Mark 5:27 ESV

She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment.

Here’s an important mini-lesson: Sometimes the Kingdom of God starts with just “hearing about Jesus.” Which brings back something we learned last week in Mark 4. Our willingness to sow seeds - to share the word, the good news about Jesus - matters. People are watching. People are listening. They are looking for answers and hope. Even if they don’t respond immediately.

Let me suggest an easy way to sow seeds. On the YouVersion Bible app, on the daily Story, they produce a “verse image” that’s really easy to share on your IG or FB Story. It looks nice and… it tells people about Jesus. And I’ve noticed a lot of people view it, even if they don’t immediately respond to it. If you will, they hear “reports about Jesus.” And I believe they begin to ask, “I wonder if Jesus can help me?”

Mark 5:28 ESV

For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.”

For those of us who follow Jesus and sowing seed, this verse should be encouraging. Many times we think people have to get it perfect in order to come to Jesus. That’s not true.

Now, that doesn’t mean Jesus won’t begin to teach or correct them according to His word. But perfect theology isn’t a pre-requisite for coming to Jesus. This verse is proof. Her thought of touching His garments was based on a culture superstition that had no biblical support. But that wasn’t what matter at this moment. What mattered is she was willing to put her faith in Jesus.

Mark 5:29 ESV

And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.

I want to point out the word “immediately” in this context. I want us to realize IMMEDIATELY is possible. I want to plant that seed of hope in your heart. While this is not prescriptive (meaning it’s how it happens every time), it is descriptive, which tells us that (at the very least) it can happen! With Jesus, there is power to change anything and everything in a moment - immediately!

Mark 5:30–33 ESV

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

I think it’s sad that sometimes people don’t come to Jesus because they have a wrong picture of Him. They think He’s mean or mad, but He’s not. Here’s the right picture...

Mark 5:34 ESV

And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

Can I say, nothing in all creation has the power to proclaim this. It’s not an offer exclusive to Jesus. That being said… it’s available to everyone who is willing to put their faith in Jesus - to simply believe. And as Jairus is walking to his house and sees this happen before his eyes, his faith is growing. I believe he begins to think, “Jesus can definitely heal my sick daughter.”

But then something changes. His daughter isn’t just sick...

Mark 5:35 ESV

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?”

All of a sudden, there’s a faith-crisis in Jairus’s life. It’s one thing to heal the sick, but raising the dead. That’s impossible. Who has the power to do that? Definitely not ANY powerful or well-resourced man or woman.

Mark 5:36 ESV

But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

A better translation for “overhearing” is “ignoring what they said.” I like that. And then Jesus tells Jairus, “Just trust me. Just trust me. Just believe.” And Jairus says, “Okay, I will.”

Let me stop for a second… Are you at this point?

Is there something impossible standing before you, even death itself?

I mean, who has the power to overcome death?

Mark 5:37–40 ESV

And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 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.

I must clarify, Jesus isn’t saying the girl isn’t dead, but in a deep sleep. She dead. But He’s trying to hint towards something that is about to happen. But I want to point your attention to the crowd’s response… they mockingly laugh at Him.

Let me assure you, as a follower of Jesus, this situation is in your future (if you haven’t experienced it already). You will be boldly living out your faith and someone (even a trust friend) will say, “You trust in Jesus. You’re stupid. That’s a crutch.”

First off, my response is, “Absolutely it is!” Because I’m fully aware that because of sin, in this life, I don’t just need a crutch because I walk with a limp. I’m can’t even walk. I need Jesus to carry me.”

Secondly, we see a good way to practically respond to these kind of spiritually negative voices in our lives. Put them outside. When someone challenges your faith, sometimes the best thing we can do is be like, “No thanks. I know what I believe. I’m gonna keep trusting in Jesus.”

Let’s begin to finish up...

Mark 5:41–43 ESV

Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

What we see is Jesus has resurrection power. He’s the only one who does. And you know what that means? It means “There’s nothing He can’t do!”

And notice it says they were “overcome with amazement.” I picture Jesus, once again, turning to His disciples and saying, “I told you so. That’s what I do. I’m bringing the Kingdom of God. I’m bringing salvation. I’m bringing the harvest. Do you believe me?”

Response:

As we close, let me remind you of the promise Jesus gave us in Mark 4: The harvest WILL come. The Kingdom of God is coming!

But then, we live in this paradox, where our current circumstances seem to contradict this promised reality. But what we see here in Mark 5 is Jesus encouraging us to not trust in circumstances, but in Him. And when we do, at the end of whatever we’re facing, He’ll turn to us and say, “I told you so! That’s what I do. I’m bringing the Kingdom of God. I’m making right all that sin has made wrong.”

We will see that Jesus is “clutch.” If you don’t know what I mean by that, here’s a definition...

Clutch: (of a player or action) achieving or characterized by success at a critical moment in a game or competition.

I actually got a video to show you what “clutch” is… [video]

Jesus got you like that. When you trust Him… when you give Him the ball, give Him control, He’s gonna come thru in the clutch. That’s because He’s the Savior and has all the power. There’s nothing He can’t do!

What’s a hopeless situation in your life?

Who do you know is hopeless?

We can trust Jesus with our lives, both now and forever.

[Finally, join His team. Jesus wants to use your life and gifts to help others know His power. One way you can do that is by serving here at church. Sign up. We don’t do consumer Christianity here. We serve the King with a grateful heart - like the once-demonically-possessed man.]

Let’s pray...

Jesus, we come to You today and ask you to save us. Whatever that means. For some of us, it’ll be the forgiving us for our sins and restoring our relationship with you. It’ll be trusting in what You did on the Cross 2000 years ago and believing You rose from the dead 3 days later, defeating death and giving us the confidence that we too will one day rise unto eternal life. Or, maybe it’s salvation from our present circumstances. Knowing that we may not be currently be circumstantially experiencing the Kingdom of God, but we can trust You nonetheless, because you promise to save - that we will see a harvest. Whatever it is - and however messy it looks - we put our faith in You this morning. Come into our lives and do what You do. In Jesus name, amen.

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