Sermons

I read an article written by an author named Vivek Wadhwa.  He’s a research analyst from Stanford University who wrote on the benefits of aging.  Agism.  He spoke of how the trend in the Silicon Valley is “to fund [hire] entrepreneurs who are hardly old enough to shave.”  They understand “emerging technologies like social media.”  They aren’t hindered by not having a past.  They bring fresh ideas. 

I liked his counterpoint:

Employers and investors who believe that people stop being creative as they reach middle age are dead wrong. Take Ben Franklin. He invented the lightning rod when he was 44 and discovered electricity at 46. Franklin helped draft the Declaration of Independence at 70, and invented bifocals even later in life. Henry Ford introduced the Model T when he was 45. Sam Walton built Wal-Mart in his mid-40s. Ray Kroc built McDonald’s in his early 50s. Some of the most creative people of the century were also not young. Ray Kurzweil published The Singularity Is Near in his 50s; Alfred Hitchcock directed Vertigo when he was 59; Frank Lloyd Wright built his architectural masterpiece, Fallingwater, when he was 68. And let’s not forget the greatest innovator of recent times: Steve Jobs. His most significant innovations—iMac, iTunes, iPod, iPhone, and iPad—came after he was 45.

Every Christian wants to grow spiritually.  Often “age” becomes a stopping point for maturing.    Not sought after, for a variety of reasons: Pride and/or Guilt to name a couple.

I can promise you this is what Christ wants and is promised to you.  There is a practical reason for this.  “Life is hard and we need to grow up to face it!”

So, in God’s mysterious plan we are going to grow because God is the one growing us.  No matter how much or how little you think you are growing, God still promises he is doing this work. 

Philippians 1:6 says, “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” 

Romans 8:29 and 2 Corinthians 3:18 reiterate this reality.  You are being “…conformed to the image of his son” and “…being transformed into the same image from degree of glory to another.”

Like physical growth, there is a starting point and phases.  Christian growth like physical growth is gradual.  First, giving spiritual life or are “born” spiritually (John 3:3) and in 1 Peter 1:23; 2:2 “you have been born again, not of perishable seed”, “Like newborn infants.”  Then there are phrases like what John describes in the church as “little children”, “young men”, and “fathers” (1 John 2:12-14). 

Simply put, people in the church, are new in faith and people who have weathered great storms through which God has grown them.

The mystery of growing as a believer is that it is a combined effort.  While God is growing us, we are called to stretch and push toward this growth. 

Like a caterpillar pushing out of its cocoon to conform into a butterfly, we too are called to exert effort for growth. 

2 Peter 3:18 says, “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 2:12 commands believers to walk the strange balance to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you.”

1 Timothy 4:7 says, “…train yourself for godliness.” 

Growing comes through the pain of circumstances and through coming clear on who Jesus is and what he means for your life. 

Growing through phases, Jesus is revealing more to us of who he is along the way.  Jesus revealed truths about himself to his disciples in phases and did so pastorally. 

Jesus in view of his prediction of his death – leaving them – sending Holy Spirit – to convict and sustain them – says:

¹² “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.

 (Joh 16:7-12 ESV)

We’ve seen this same pattern In the Gospel of Matthew.  We need a King.  This King to lead us and grow us. 

Jesus has revealed himself as Lord through Self-Revelation. 

• Jesus as Lord over Creation hushing a violent storm, Lord over Demons healing the demoniac, and Lord over Disease.
• [Key] There is one final category – Lord over death!

Death, the horror we all face.  The leveler between the rich and the poor…for all mankind of any class or category.  “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23) and “It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment” (Heb. 9:27). 

Death is the same as the reality of the still-born child and of a multi-billionaire like Steve Jobs.  Science fiction concocts imaginative ways to cheat death, whether by cryogenic freezing or swapping a brain out of one body into another it is important to know that there is only one answer to the sting of death and that is found in one Person.   

Coming to terms with the reality of Death is one of the Keys that unlock growing as a believer. 

Our culture is facing death like never before with Covid implications hitting people in a variety of ways. 

Christian culture struggles with getting older.  Age and maturing bring up the issue of dying and death. 

Let us encounter Jesus: Lord of life who is also Lord over death.

This narrative passage is set up as a story within a story.  A sandwich.

• Jairus crying to Jesus on behalf of his dying little girl and woman healed in the middle and then back to Jairus and his need.
  • Though set up this way, it is important to remember that the two being compared are not Jairus and the woman but Jairus and Jesus.
  • Jairus learned from observing this woman being healed but like the woman, Jairus’ focus needed to be on the Lord Jesus.

 

• Matthew’s Goal is readers to see themselves as Jairus-like and to move in our faith from Jairus to Jesus, from Jairus-like to Christ-like.

 

Perhaps there is no greater example of Jesus’ intimate and personal love displayed than these two whom Christ meets in Matthew 9.   

• They could not be more different than each other.

 

• Christ meets them right where they are.
  • Both, in crisis, both complete opposites.
  • Both, in desperate need and Jesus loves them both the same.

Jesus meets them both and heals both and grows both!

Prop:   From Jairus-like to Christ-like

1. Christ will bring you to the point of desperation (vv. 18-20)

Verse 18 is the entry point to a narrative that finishes in verse 26. 

• Matthew weaves together two stories about two different people who are both at their breaking point.
  • Both coming to Jesus in deep desperation.
  • Jairus in verse 18, “a ruler” (v. 18).
  • An unnamed “a woman” in verse 20.

 

Jairus is known, the woman unknown, Jairus is well-respected, this woman has carried a stigma, Jairus is well off, this woman is broke, Jairus has enjoyed his daughter for 12 years, this woman has physically suffered for 12 years. 

 

• Both, filled with desperation. Both turning to Jesus.

 

• Christ made himself available to these two-suffering people.

Matthew accounts for Jesus’ eating with tax-collectors and sinners at Peter’s home. 

• Mark’s takes a broader perspective.

Mark 5:21 tells us “…when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him” (v. 21).  Luke 8:40 says, “Now when Jesus returned…[from healing the demoniac in Gersa].

• Jesus left Gersa with a smaller crowd demanding his departure only to find the massive crowd waiting for him on the other side.
  • This pressing crowd, cited repeatedly as Jesus’ backdrop.
  • The Hoi Polloi fighting to get to Jesus.
  • Where Jesus focuses on two people who have faith that can grow.

“…a ruler came in a knelt before him” (v. 18).  Mark 5:22 describes Jairus breaking through the crowd falling at Jesus’ feet. 

• Matthew (and Luke) both say, “Behold” emphasizing the shock of the moment (v. 18).
  • Jairus didn’t care about reputation
  • A “ruler of the synagogue” a known position in the religious community.
  • Affiliated with Scribes and Pharisees who were against Christ.

The man’s desperation brings him to his knees. 

• Jairus knew Jesus could heal and even raise his little girl from death (Matt. 9:18).
  • Nevertheless, he’s “imploring” [parakalew] on behalf of his “daughter” whom Mark calls, “little daughter.”
    • A diminutive term meaning “my little girl.”
    • Turning point in Jewish tradition being 12.
    • Young adulthood with the rest of her life in front of her, so her dad is begging Jesus to save [lit. “made well” is sozw] her life!

If ever a parent, you have been pushed to desperation.  My son Carson as a baby struggled to breathe.  He contracted RSV and while in the children’s hospital, the pulse oxygen monitor number plummeted, he turned white on Judy’s lap. 

Some of you have been shut away from loved ones admitted in hospitals of late.  The scenario of being desperate is on the rise. 

These moments are when you cry out in desperation because there is nothing you can do.  You bring nothing to the table but the empty hand of faith.  This man fled to Christ with nothing.  His status or wealth couldn’t help him – he was helpless.  And Christ was available.

Verse 19 says, “And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples” (v. 19). 

 2. Christ will allow you to endure hard, humbling circumstances (vv. 20-21)

Now “a woman” (v. 20) who has endured a sad life.

Before focusing on this woman’s real need, I want to say, what some of you might be thinking. 

• “What is Jairus going to say about this woman’s interruption?”
  • “Get in line lady?”
    • Who knows? What we do know is, Jesus made time for both people.
    • Same compassion for the ruler as for this woman.

Verse 20 tells of her 12-year disease, “a discharge of blood” (v. 20). 

• She has been “hemorrhaging” blood, weakening and slowly dying.
  • Mark 5:26 reveals how this woman has been a fighter.

^ESV  Mark 5:26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.

• Devoting her life to finding a cure.
• Pursued, “many physicians” exhausting financial resources.

Medical science not advanced enough to address the disease.  There were no real cures until 1800s when medical science diagnosed true pathology of illnesses.  Only therapies or coping mechanisms offered. 

Luke, a physician in his own right (Col. 4:14) said, “she could not be healed by anyone” (cf. Luke 8:43). 

Mark’s account of her physical status is the sad commentary: “[she] was no better but rather grew worse” (Mk. 5:26). 

Jesus knows about every detail of everything we are going through.  We cannot understand on this side of things why God allows us to go through suffering.  We also can know God has placed us in the time and space of history that we live in.  Even today, science has limitations.  It will even 100 years from now.  But, we need to find assurance here that Jesus sees these details.  Our physical and emotional suffering and as is in this case, the crush of financial strain. 

This woman suffered physically and financially and religiously. 

• Malady affected her life interactions.
  • Levitical law marked women ceremonially unclean for seven days after their menstrual cycle.
    • Temple worship or physical interaction
    • Human touch rendered unclean.

^ESV  Leviticus 15:25 “If ^aa woman has a discharge of blood for many days, not at the time of her menstrual impurity, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her impurity, all the days of the discharge she shall continue in uncleanness. As in the days of her impurity, she shall be unclean.

• So, not unlike leprosy, everything this woman touched, considered unclean, since hemorrhaging never stopped.
  • Law constant reminder of the impact sin has on others.
  • Picturing the seriousness sin has on others.
    • Sadly, her shame was not brought on by sin.
    • Our cursed world, why we have diseases.

Women who have suffered miscarriages know the dramatic hemorrhaging and its effects on the body and human psyche.   My wife experienced this before our twins were born. 

She miscarried at 10 weeks or so and the bleeding was profuse. 

We went to the hospital, and she ultimately was brought into a surgery that turned serious for blood loss. 

During post-op, the Doctor came to the waiting room to admitting he miscalculated her blood loss and that she “was sinking.”

He squeezed two bags of plasma into her body to bring her to stabilize her again. 

This kind of 12-year life was in suspension, shut down. 

• Social structure cut off.
• Personal stigma and shame.
• Embarrassment and humiliation.

Verse 21 opens her plan. 

• Operating by stealth, and I love this.
  • She could not get Jesus directly understanding he was holy.
  • Undeterred, she believed in Jesus’ healing power.

 

• No Cross to accept or reject, only Jesus who had come from God, who was performing miracles.
  • She had to work through a mass of people – thousands – by rebelling against the going understanding of the Law.
  • Remember Jesus fulfilled the Law, making the mission is to get to Jesus!

 

• Jesus our Mediator between God and man.
  • Remedy for sin’s cause and effects.
  • She risks personal shame making a Bee Line for Jesus!

Why she threw off stigma, pushing through this crowd. 

• Touched people to simply touch “the fringe of his garment” (Matt. 9:20).
  • Tassels at the bottom of Jesus’ robe.
    • Not superstition.
    • Not subpar faith, bc/ stealth. No! 
    • Making the slightest connection.
    • Not weak faith but exact opposite.
    • Acting as a good soldier for Jesus Christ.

There are 11 principles that form the foundation of leadership for the Marine Corps.  Be Technically and Tactically Proficient – Know Yourself and Seek Self-Improvement – Set the Example – Ensure the Task is Understood, Supervised and Accomplished…just to name a few. 

This woman was fulfilling the eighth principle:  Make Sound and Timely Decisions:  Rapidly estimate a situation and make a sound decision based on that estimation.  There’s no room for reluctance to make a decision, revise it.  Marines respect the leader who corrects mistakes immediately [http://www.marines.com/being-a-marine/leadership-principles]. 

This woman was going to be instantly healed. 

• When she touched the fringe of Jesus’ garment, Mark 5 says she discerned in her own body that she had been “healed of her disease” (Mk. 5:29).
  • The word “disease” is literally “whip” “scourge” “affliction” was “immediately” gone.
  • Luke 8:44 says, “…and immediately here discharge of blood ceased.”

Her plan had worked, and she was now free but though she would want this to be over, Jesus wasn’t finished with her yet.  Jesus had healed her body, but he wanted her soul to be at peace with God.     

 3. Christ will cover all your guilt and shame (v. 22)

Verse 22 speaks of Christ’s omniscience. 

• “Jesus turned and seeing her…” (v. 22) speaks to Jesus’ awareness of this woman, being personal.
• The crowds were way too thick for Jesus to otherwise notice her.
• This picks up on our running theme that Christ intimately loves people.
• Mark and Luke attest that Jesus had felt his “power” flow out of him so that he “immediately” was scanning the crowd for the one this had affected.

^ESV  Luke 8:45-46 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter¹ said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” ⁴⁶ But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that ^apower has gone out from me.”

I want to highlight that from Mark’s account where Jesus “perceiving…that power had gone out from him” conveys the personal nature of Jesus’ healing ministry. 

• More than Jesus being accessed like a fully charged battery.
  • All of Jesus’ healings were from his personal touch.
  • Not a mechanical cause and effect for her.

 

• Jesus knew this lady and her deepest need which went far beyond her disease.
• Why he asks out loud, “Who touched my garments?” (cf. Mk 5:30).

Jesus wants this woman to be identified. 

• To give testimony for what she has done and what the Lord has done for her.
  • Jesus wants this woman to make her faith public.
  • She moved in stealth for a long time and was not used to a public forum.

 

• This woman had planned to touch Jesus’ garment and be healed but had not planned what would happen next.

Mark 5:31 says “his disciples” respond and Luke’s account (Luke 8:45) clarifies the spokesman as Peter. 

• They are incredulous to Jesus’ question.
  • “Who’s touching Jesus?”
  • “Well, everybody is touching you Jesus.”

Jesus knew that everyone was touching him, but he knew that there was a person who had touched his garment in faith! 

• Mark 5:32 is where Jesus scans the crowd [peri-Blepw …where we get the word perimeter – “looking around”].

This was enough accountability for this woman. 

• She was ready to confess to her action and more importantly to confess Jesus as Lord.
• She “came in fear and trembling and fell down before him” (Mk. 5:33).

Why was she afraid?  Her healing confirmed to her who it was that she had believed in.  It is one thing to believe, and it is completely another to sense it with certainty.  “…knowing what had happened to her” (Mk. 5:33).

She had reached out to touch him and he in turn reached back and touched her with healing power! 

• And she knew it. Now, there really was no option to hide.  She couldn’t. 
  • Here same word [Phobnsia] used of the trembling disciples in the boat and of those in Gersa who saw the transformed Demoniac.
  • She’s in the presence of God so she’s trembling.

[C.H. Spurgeon] Spurgeon compares the woman’s experience with people seeking the Lord in church. 

“You, perhaps, dear Friend, have hoped to find salvation and to keep it a secret.  You entered the House of Prayer a stranger to the things of God, but very anxious-there you sat and wept-but you tried to conceal your feelings from those who sat near you.  You have gone in and out of the place of worship, seeking the Savior, but fearing to be suspected of doing so.  Nobody spoke to you or, if anyone did, you evaded all the questions that were put to you, for you were as jealous of your secret as if you carried diamonds and were afraid of thieves!”

This woman sensed Jesus’ compassion, as she began to tell “him the whole truth” (Mk 5:33). 

• Making full confession before watching masses.
• She’s lost her fear now.
• Not unlike Baptisms!

Back to Matthew 9:22, Jesus responds saying, “Take heart daughter…” (v. 34). 

• Only place in the New Testament where Jesus addresses a woman with this term.
  • Affirming she is his child.
  • Jesus is the second member of the Trinity, Isaiah 9:6 “everlasting Father” notes he created her!
  • He affirms her “faith.”
  • Blesses with assurances! “Take heart, daughter!”

^ESV  Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, ^a“Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” ^bAnd instantly¹ the woman was made well.

^ESV  Mark 5:34 And he said to her, “Daughter, ^ayour faith has made you well; ^ago in peace, and be healed of your ^ydisease.”

• She could also know she had peace with God!

Now back to Jairus and his desperate need, the account shifts to him in verse 23. 

Your greatest need is to be like Jesus.  Grow from Jairus-like to Christ-like. 

 4. Christ will help you see what is beyond death (vv. 23-26)

 

Growing from being like Jairus to being like Jesus

Remember, Jairus believed Jesus could heal (v. 18)

The beginning of the story in verse 18. 

• Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, sees Jesus, and casts himself upon him for mercy.
• Jairus had moved past what might be lost by associating himself with Christ.

Jairus was desperate on behalf of his twelve-year-old saying, “My daughter has just died…” (v. 18). 

• A better interpretation, he believed she was “as good as dead.”
  • Mark’s account has him saying my, “little daughter…at the point of death” (Mk. 5:23).
    • This man had faith.
    • Risking final moments with his little girl in hopes that perhaps he could convince Jesus to go home and make her well.

 

• Transportation slower, Jairus knew Jesus was the last shred of hope to see his daughter alive again.

Matthew’s account says, “My daughter has just died” (v. 18) to relay that somewhere along the line it was confirmed to the “ruler” that his daughter was officially dead. 

As you remember it is on the way to Jairus’ house that Jesus heals the hemorrhaging woman in the midst of a massive crowd (a throng of people pressing in on Jesus). 

Mark 5:35 introduces a real time dynamic. 

• Mark says, “While he was still speaking” to the women he just healed, people who were bedside with the sick little girl approached Jairus with horrifying news that his daughter was dead (v. 35).
• The sentiment is that it’s now over. She’s gone. 
• They ask, “Why trouble the Teacher any further?” (v. 35).

This question casts Jesus as “the Teacher” which indicates Christ priority and role as a teacher of the Kingdom but also tells us something else. 

• Title notes the idea of limitation they were putting on Jesus.
• He is the Teacher and that’s it and your girl is dead so let’s move on.

Jairus needed to move toward Christ, not move on. 

• Needed to stretch faith, believing that Christ could do more.
  • One came fearlessly, One came fearfully.
  • One was an extravert, One was an introvert.
    • Both the woman and this ruler came boldly.
    • Both were helped and both would be made whole again.

Mark 5:36 tells us Jesus overheard the conversation and gave this command. 

What he says to Jairus was key for him and for any believer. 

• “Do not fear, only believe” (Mk 5:36).
  • Two commands.
    • The first is to shut down the fear [Lit. Phobou].
    • Stop being terrified within yourself and then “only” believe.

Jairus as a “ruler of the synagogue” had seen Jesus cast demon out and was in walking distance to the miracles he performed at Peter’s house. 

• Believed at a level, but it was now time for him to take another step.
• Jairus did not have the same level of faith that the Centurion had concerning his “slave” knowing Jesus did not need to physically come to his home and be present to heal.

Jesus calls believers to believe more, to believe with greater depth.  Believers are called to believe and to keep believing.  It is never sufficient when you are going through a storm to say, “Yes, I know I am a believer because I made a decision to follow Christ many years ago.”  This kind of retroactive confidence is shallow and does not stand up to the pangs of death.  You think you’re going to die or when you lose a loved one you are called to fight for faith!  You have to pulsate faith and keep pulsating.

Jesus is saying to Jairus, “Your heart just stopped” – “Do not let it STOP!”  “Your heart quitting is not an option.”  “Believe!”  “Keep believing!” 

Mark 5:36 makes a subtle shift where Jairus is no longer center stage and now Jesus is. 

• This turn is intentional as Christ is saying “Believe” and is saying “Believe in me” and let me take you by the hand and show you how!
  • Jesus is the model of faith.
  • Jesus is the ultimate believer as God and as Man.

Jesus wants Jairus to grow and so he gives him a command to hang on to. 

And, when you with what Jesus commands then you will grow!  But you are never called to grow alone (Mk. 5:37)

Jesus is selective in who will accompany him as he approaches the home. 

• He gathers his intimate three Apostles, Peter, James and John.
  • Peter the spokesman, John the one whom Jesus loved, and James the first martyr.
  • “Jesus channeled his ministry through these three men.”
    • Jesus limited who he would be intimate with (invest in at this level), who he would share his heart with on the deepest level.
    • So, this was a setting for intimacy and for privacy.
    • Jesus also had these men accompany him as witnesses for what he was going to do (“By the mouth of two or three witnesses…” Dt. 19:15).

As they approach the house, they see what amounts to a funeral service in process.  “Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly” (v. 23).  

• This was the way of funerals in this culture.
  • For the most part we are accustomed to funerals being hushed and quiet.
  • This was the exact opposite.
    • In the time between Jairus’ departure and return, the little girl had died, and this was confirmed.
    • The mother probably at her bedside ordered for there to be professional wailers to come and be on hand.

 

The Mishnah stipulated that for the poorest husband “no less than two flutes and one wailing woman be present at his wife’s funeral” [Hiebert]. 

 

The modern version is PowerPoint slides accompanied with the deceased most meaningful Christian song or hymn. 

The point of describing this scene is that that the funeral is well underway because the girl is dead.  Like Lazarus who had been dead in his tomb, there is no doubt to this girl’s condition. 

I want to go to the next point but make this one on the way there. 

• These professional criers are the same ones who break out in mocking laughter when Jesus asks in Mark 5:39, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping” (Mk 5:39). 
  • Jesus surrounds Jairus and now his wife with the best people at hand, Peter, James and John.
  • Six believers are all together now, no doubt clutching each other, wondering what Jesus will do.

 

A trial like this is when believers cling to each other and should.

What did child mean when he said, “Go, away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping” (v. 24)? 

Jesus knew who he was as Messiah, as Lord. 

• Knew he was going to raise this little girl and so he was stating the fact that this little girl’s condition was temporary.
  • This is the language of the Resurrection.
  • Same language Paul uses to talk about all believers who die.
    • We know when a believer dies that person’s soul is immediately brought into the Christ’s presence heaven.
    • “To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:8).
    • “To live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).
    • “This day you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43).

 

• In 1 Thessalonians 4:15 Christians who die before Christ’s return are considered to have “fallen asleep” and 1 Corinthians 15:51 again believers who die are said to “sleep.”
  • This simply means Christians are temporarily separated from their bodies.
  • And in the resurrection, there will be a reuniting of body and soul.

 

This means in heaven we will still be ourselves and will forever fellowship with each other, knowing each other.  This is what Lazarus and the widow at Nain’s son foreshadowed.  This is what this little girl foreshadows.  This is what Christ pioneered. 

Another reason Jesus said it this way was to cast this moment in the context of care.  Jesus cared about this little girl and her parents.  Believers care to comfort and Jesus was a comforter.

While the unbelieving crowd mocked Jesus, Jesus took care of his small group. 

Matthew 9:24 is abrupt.  Jesus says to them, “Go away…” and then in verse 25 is says, “…the crowd had been put outside…” (v. 25).    

Mark 5:40, Jesus “…put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother…in where the child was” (v. 40). 

The contrast between those mocking Jesus and this small group going in should not be missed.  The point is that this crowd is taking another step in their personal growth. 

Jesus exhorted Jairus, “Do not fear, only believe” and this moment he’s doing it.

Jesus probably kneeling down by this little twelve-year-old girl “took her by the hand” (v. 25). 

This is significant because it is another picture of how Jesus answers the Law. 

• The Law forbade touching, having any contact with the dead.
  • This made you defiled or unclean.
  • The key is to understand that Jesus takes this little girl’s hand to prove a point.

 

• Peter is the one who dictates this account back to John Mark who wrote this down as this Gospel.

Details matter and this one tells us Jesus fulfills or answers all defilement with his perfections.  The holiness of Jesus covers all of sin’s stains and defilements.  The curse of death is resolved in Jesus. 

Another reason Jesus takes the girl’s hand is the highlight what I said in my last point. 

• Jesus takes this girl’s hand as if her parent.
  • Jesus created this little girl and is going to wake his little girl up.
  • In this tender moment Jesus says to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise” (Mk 5:41).

 

• Jesus spoke these words in Aramaic and Mark records them as such.
  • Mark wants you to get a sense how these words felt.
    • Written as Jesus spoke them over this little girl.
    • With all of its personal love being conveyed through them.

And she breathed air again!  “…and the girl arose” (v. 25).  “And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age)…” (Mk. 5:42). 

^ESV  Luke 8:55 And ^aher spirit returned, and she got up at once. And he directed that something should be given her to eat.

The miracle was “immediate.”

• She brought back to life and completely healed from her illness.
• She was twelve meaning she was up and active like any normal pre-teen.

What theologians call, resuscitated from death. 

• Difference between resurrection from death and resuscitation from death.
  • Do you know what that is?
    • When you are resurrected, you are no longer going to die.
    • This girl was resuscitated just like Lazarus meaning they were brought back to life but would still be under effects of sin during her lifetime and would still die.

“The good news?”  This young girl was now a believer, so she not only had new physical life, she now had everlasting life. 

“Responses of those in the room?” 

• Matthew says, “And the report of this went through all that district” (v. 26).
  • The crowd was convinced.
  • Mark says, “…they were immediately overcome with amazement” (Mk. 5:42).
  • Luke says, “And her parents were amazed” (Lk. 8:56).

 

• The English language does not do justice to their reactions! They were overwhelmed in a mega mega sense!  Out of their head joyful! 

Jesus’ postmark in Mark and Luke. 

Mark 5:43 where “…he strictly charged them that no one should know this…”  and Luke 8:56, “…but he charged them [parents] to tell no one what had happened.” 

Jesus’ command seems counterintuitive right?  

It is common sense to think that this amazing irrefutable miracle just happened, so we need to spread this around so more people can believe!  This is hard evidence so the assumption is that people will respond like we are!  In faith. 

Jesus shuts this kind of thinking down like he done with the demons he’d cast out and then rebuked for them to say nothing!  This is the same approach Jesus took with the healed Leper.  What happened with the Leper?  He told everybody and everybody came to Jesus but not in faith. 

In one sense, Jesus is saying to the parents don’t worry about working up the crowd, worry about your little girl who now needs to eat. 

• She’s been sick and she’s better now but she no doubt hasn’t had a good meal for days.
• Take care of your precious girl on the inside and leave those on the outside to me.

 

hard for us to conceive of or embrace what I’m going to say but Jesus’ caution highlights genuine faith over against superficial faith.

So the point is that having a faith that’s deepening is the most important issue in the room. 

Even more important than the Little Girl Coming Back to Life. 

Let me summarize this by saying, like some of you, I have been to the funeral of a little girl who drowned in a swimming pool.  I’ve stood over her open casket and cried with her parents. 

Then I have listened to these same parents speak in faith over their little girl in her child-sized casket. 

That little girl at that moment didn’t rise but you know what?  Her mom and dad somehow supernaturally knew that one day she would and that’s what got them through. 

This is faith, growing faith, the faith of a woman bound in isolation and what Jairus and his wife needed from Jesus; what he gave.

A song we regularly sing speaks to this same depth of love but from the standpoint of the Father who loved by sacrificing his Son. 

At Calvary Jesus took this woman’s place and took these parent’s place and took your place. 

Christ on the cross became desperate, suffered extensive pain, became shame, took our shame, and died of a broken heart so we could live! 

And is the epitome of love!  From God to you!

“How Deep The Father’s Love For Us”

How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away
As wounds which mar the chosen One,
Bring many sons to glory

Behold the Man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders
Ashamed I hear my mocking voice,
Call out among the scoffers

It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished
His dying breath has brought me life
I know that it is finished

I will not boast in anything
No gifts, no power, no wisdom
But I will boast in Jesus Christ
His death and resurrection

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer
But this I know with all my heart
His wounds have paid my ransom