I Still Have A Little More Strength

Passage: Mark 5:24-34

Main Idea:

Message Goal:

Introduction

Recent studies of medical errors have estimated errors may account for as many as 251,000 deaths annually in the United States (U.S)., making medical errors the third leading cause of death. Error rates are significantly higher in the U.S. than in other developed countries such as Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the United Kingdom (U.K) (Anderson JG, Abrahamson K. Your Health Care May Kill You: Medical Errors. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2017;234:13-17. PMID: 28186008).

This study reveals a terrible flaw in the medical world. Such a study could easily discourage many from visiting the doctor. However, if we were to do this, we would only move from studying the deaths of those who died by the hands of medical professionals to those who died from their refusal to receive care. This is a human tragedy that only God can help us with. Ultimately, it only demonstrates our need to depend on God as the source for healing—irregardless the method of healing.

However, this statistic is more striking for another reason. Each one of these individuals that died were simply making an attempt at getting better from whatever illness they were facing. What happens when you get hurt and even die while trying to be healed? New Testament Commentary,

Nothing demands more from a pastor than ministering to a family that has lost a child. Phillip was eight years old when he crawled into his mother’s arms just before dawn and breathed his last breath. His brave, five-year struggle against cancer had come to an end, but the spiritual battle facing his family was far from over. They did not attend our church, but his devastated parents came to us because their pastor had warned them that their son would be healed only if their faith was perfect. When Phillip died they were crushed. They believed his death was their fault. And his eleven-year-old sister went to sleep at night and dreamed of going to heaven to be with her brother.

Some people fail to try again because they have experienced so much hurt while trying to get better they no longer feel there’s any point to trying again. Take for instance the nation of Israel in Numbers 13-14, when Israel is troubled by the sight of the Canaanites. Their past experiences led them to doubt their future. Quite frankly, they were prepared to die in the wilderness or worst go back to Egypt. This is the place the woman with an issue of blood finds herself.

Mark 5:21-43

At first, my intentions were to discuss the experiences of the woman. However, I soon gathered that I could not discuss her without also considering Jairus. In all of the synoptic gospels, they pair the two together as unable to tell the story of one without the other. How dare I preach the story of the woman without the story of Jairus. For, I risk only sharing with you part of the message and not the whole.

I am so glad I gave myself to the reading of commentaries that helped me see the need of one for the other. Consequently, I have found that this is a beautiful message of faith in degrees. There is a significant contrast and comparison between the two healings; many similarities and obvious contradictions.

Jairus was a leader of the synagogue; the woman was a disqualified and nameless woman.

The woman had dealt with an illness for 12 years; Jairus’ daughter was 12 years old.

They both found their way to Jesus amidst a crowd.

Yet Jairus came to Jesus directly; the woman attempted to approach in in privacy.

Jairus was accepted; the woman was not acceptable [by man’s standards.

This passage is a story about faith from two directions. Today, I want us to focus on the faith of the woman, because it is obvious her faith was tried in a way that may not have been relatable to that of Jairus.

Unlike Jairus, some would say she had no reason to believe. She was in a position where tried everything, and nothing worked. However, this woman seems to feel that gave her plenty of practice to keep on trying.

Luke 8:1-3 says there were other women that met Jesus and was healed. The woman with an issue must have concluded if He did it for them, He can do it for me. Here are a few lessons we can learn from the woman with an issue:

Listen to the testimonies of others and believe God can do the same for you.

Use the habit of faith you used for things that didn’t work towards Jesus.

Don’t be afraid to take a touch when Jesus comes passing by.

Speak up once you have been delivered.

Now what can we say about Jairus? In the meantime, while Jesus was healing this woman, his daughter dies. Many people said, tell Jesus its okay…she’s dead now. Yet, God says, “She is not dead, she is asleep.” God wants us to know the things we thought were dead are only sleeping. All we need is a little faith. Here are lessons from Jairus’ experience:

Have faith.

Get rid of the people that can’t have faith with you.

Be able to endure mockery.

Once you’ve been delivered, follow God’s directions.