Jairus’ Daughter

Mark 5:35-43

“While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?” (Mark 5:35)

Jesus had been on the way to Jairus’ house to heal his daughter when the woman with the issue of blood touched him, resulting in Jesus stopping to talk to her.  Before he finished talking to her, one of Jairus’ servants came to tell them that the girl was already dead and there was no longer any point in Jesus coming to the house.

 

“As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.  And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.” (Mark 5:36-38a)

When Jesus heard what the servant said, he told Jairus not to be concerned that it was too late, but to believe in him.  From there on Jesus forbade any one except Jairus, Peter, James, and John to go with him.  A common mistake is that there is more power if more people are there.  One person with the Holy Spirit has access to all the power of God.  More people will not give God more power.     

”And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.  And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.  And they laughed him to scorn.” (Mark 5:38b-40a)

Jewish custom made for a great deal of drama when someone died, with weeping and wailing, at the top of their lungs to make sure everyone knew how upset they were.   The behavior upsets others so that the emotional response gets bigger and more uncontrolled.    Jesus asked why they were so upset because the girl was not dead, but in a coma.    They had seen many dead people and were sure they she was dead.  They began to make fun of him for thinking they couldn’t tell the difference.

  

“But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.  And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.  And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years.” (Mark 5:40-41)

Jesus chased out everyone except the father and mother and his three disciples, so that the girl would not be upset by the crowd when she recovered.  Then, with no drama or ritual, he took her by the hand and told her to wake up.    When he did she awoke and got out of bed,  She was twelve years old. 

Though he knew the girl was at the point of death, Jesus had taken time to deal with the woman with the issue of blood.  How many times do we get so caught up in the urgency of one situation we neglect others, considering them less important or urgent.  When we trust God, he will enable us to do everything that needs done.   Too often we forget to trust God completely in our efforts to make things happen. 

 

“And they were astonished with a great astonishment.  And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.” (Matthew 5:42-43)

Her parents and the disciples were amazed that he healed her so easily.  He instructed them not to make a big deal of it so she wouldn’t be upset, and told them to feed her and treat her as a normal child.  

The Woman with the Issue of Blood

Mark 5:21-34

“And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.  And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.” (Mark 5:21-23)

When Jesus returned to the area around Capernaum, a multitude flocked to meet him.  One of the people in the crowd was Jairus, one of the leaders of the local synagogue.   He fell at Jesus’ feet begging him to come and touch his daughter and heal her because she was at the point of dying. 

“And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.  And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.  For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.” (Mark 5:24-28)

Jesus went with Jairus and the crowd followed around, pushing and shoving to be close to him.  As they went, a woman who had an ongoing menstrual discharge heard he was coming,  she had spent all the money she had trying unsuccessful treatments that seemingly only made things worse.  Embarrassed by her problem, she pushed her way in to touch Jesus in the belief that just touching his clothing would be enough to heal her. 

“And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.  And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?” (Mark 5:29-31)

The woman was healed instantly and could feel the difference in her body.  Jesus was also aware that the healing had happened, and asked who had touched his clothing.  With the crowd pushing and shoving to get close, the disciples couldn’t believe he was concerned about one person touching his clothes. 

“And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.  But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.” (Mark 5:32-33)

Jesus looked for the person who had touched him, and the woman, fearing he would be angry finally confessed to touching him, explaining why she had done so.  She had thought he wouldn’t even notice such a little thing. 

“And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” (Mark 5:34)

Jesus was not angry, he just wanted her to know he cared about even her problem, no matter how small it was.  Unfortunately, we frequently forget that God is concerned about even our smallest problems.  The cure for her problem was the same as that for others with bigger problems, just trusting him to heal them. 

The Maniac of Gadera

Mark 5:1-20

“And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.” (Mark 5:1)

On the eastern side of the sea of Galilee there was a city known as Gadera, which controlled a fairly large area around it.  One of the small towns they controlled was called Gergessa.  Local people such as Matthew were familiar with the smaller towns, while those from other areas such as Mark and Luke were only familiar with the larger town, such as Gadera.    All three passages refer to the same area. 

 

“And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.  And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.” (Mark 5:2-5)

Today, the man who met Jesus would be considered insane.  He had allowed Satan to influence his mind to such a point he was not in full control of his thinking, often doing things that injured his body, cuttint himself with stones,  Rage caused such a surge of adrenalin he was not conscious of pain, with the result he was able to break chains and restraints that held other men readily.  Those who work with the insane are aware of how far they may be willing to go to get their way.  Their best efforts to confine  or institutionalize him had failed. 

“But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,  And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.  For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.” (Mark 5:6-8)

Even the most insane still retain some capacity to control their own mind and think.  The maniac saw Jesus and the demons controlling him recognized his power. Aware that he could easily cast them out, the demons convinced the man to ask Jesus to go away and leave them alone so they did not hurt him on the way out, because Jesus told them to leave him.  Their leaving would produce symptoms similar to the withdrawal symptoms a drug addict of alcoholic feels.    Many choose to remain under  control rather than endure the pain of withdrawal. 

“And he asked him, What is thy name?

And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.  And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.  Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.  And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.” (Mark 5:9-12)

Jesus asked the name of the demons, and they said their name was legion because there were so many different ones.  An important fact about demonic ot spirit control is found in Luke 24:39, when Jesus said, “…a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.”  Because they lack a physical body, spirits have very limited power in the physical world.  Satanic spirits seek some living thing which will allow them to control its mind in order to accomplish their evil purposes. 

The Jews were not supposed to eat hogs, but they had begun raising them to sell to the Romans to feed the army.  The demons asked permission to go into a nearby herd of hogs, as they would still have a physical body at their disposal. 

“And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.” (Mark 5:13)

 Jesus gave them permission to go into the pigs if they could.  The hogs chose to drown themselves rather than to allow the demons to control them.  Many people do not understand the demons cannot take over a person’s mind unless he allows them to.  Unfortunately, once they start getting control, it becomes increasingly difficult to force them out. 

“And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.  And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.” (Mark 5:14-15)

The herders were unable to stop the hogs from drowning themselves in the sea.  They were terrified by their abnormal behavior and went running to the owners to tell them what happened.  When they returned with the owners, they were shocked to find the insane man acting normal, fully clothed and carrying on conversations with Jesus and the disciples. 

“And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.  And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.” (Mark 5:16-17)

The owners and political leaders were more concerned with their lost revenue than they were with the impact on the victims, and demanded that Jesus leave the city.  It is a not uncommon attitude.   Rather than arguing with them Jesus simply left, following the advice he gave in Matthew 10:14-15 and Mark 6:11. “And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.   Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.”  He did not waste his time trying to reach people who made it clear they were not interested.    They had made their choice. 

“And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.  Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.  And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.” (Mark 5:18-20)

The man who had been healed wanted to go with Jesus, but Jesus told him to stay there and tell the people what God had done for him.  He had a major impact on the area even though the leaders had rejected Christ.   A local man who follows Christ often has a bigger impact than a famous preacher, or in this case, the Lord himself, simply because people can see the change in him.  

Jesus Calms the Sea

Mark 4:35-41

“And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.  And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships.” (Mark 4:35-36)

Mark was not one of Jesus’ disciples, and wrote about twenty five years after the crucifixion, based on the stories he had heard those who were present tell.   While he got the stories accurate, he did not get them in chronological order.  Matthew places the following stories much earlier in Jesus’ ministry,  in Matthew 8:23-34.

After teaching, Jesus sent the multitudes home to rest and he and the disciples set out across the Sea of Galilee toward the village of Gergesa, on the eastern side of the Sea.   Jesus was exhausted, and the motion of the boat quickly put him to sleep. 

“And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.  And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish” (Mark 4:37-38)

A few hours after they left, a squall blew up.  The waves were big enough they were coming over the sides of the boat, filling it and threatening to sink it.  Jesus was sleeping soundly in rear of the boar, and unaware of what was happening.  The disciples woke him, asking if he wasn’t concerned about the danger. 

“And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” (Mark 4:39-40)

Jesus simply got up and told the wind to stop and the waves to settle down and be at peace.  When he did, both the wind and the waves stopped, as if there had never been any wind for days.  The sea was dead flat.  Jesus asked why the disciples were afraid.   Why didn’t they believe God’s power?  

Though they had seen him do a number of miracles, they still didn’t understand how complete his power is.  He is the God of the universe, not just the God of an individual disease.  So often we realize God can take care of one problem and forget everything is under his control, not just the little things we have seen him do before.  Why do we, like the disciples think he would let us die over some earthly event, after everything he has invested in us?   As Romans 8:32 asks, “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?”    For God to let us be destroyed or lose our salvation would be kind of like buying a new car, then refusing to put oil in the engine when it needed some, and allowing the engine to be ruined.  It would be a waste of what had already been invested. 

“And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him” (Mark 4:41)

The disciples began to realize Jesus was more than just a man with special powers if he could control even the waves and the sea in such a fashion.    Even the greatest prophets of the past had not been able to do such things.  It gave them another reason for believing he is in fact God come in the flesh, since he could do things only God can do.   

Various Parables

Mark 4:21-34

“And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick?  For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad.  If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:21-23)

Jesus had just explained to his disciples that the parables were given to make the gospel available to anyone, but that only those who were interested enough to learn more would be saved.  Now he uses another story to help understand what he means.    When one places a candle on the floor results in only a very small area being lighted, but by raising it up higher, a much larger area is illuminated, and far more is visible, even though the candle gives off the same amount of light.  In a similar way.   The gospel has far more impact and reveals far more when it is publicly declared than when it is kept within the boundaries of the church or home, even though they are not doing any greater activities.   He advises that we need to listen to the message here.  Instead of making bigger efforts to do more, Christians need to serve the Lord publicly just as they do in church.  We need to listen to what Jesus was teaching. 

“And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.  For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.” (Mark 4:24-25)

 When we judge others, we need to make sure that the problem is not in fact ours rather than theirs.   Matthew 7:1-5 warns, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.  For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.  And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?  Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?  Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye.”  We need to realize we can’t use other people’s sin as a smokescreen to hide our own. 

God will judge every person according to his own actions,    I Corinthians 3:13-15 tells us, “Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.  If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.  If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”

“And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear.  But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.” (Mark 4:26-29)

Jesus said the growth of Christianity is like planting seeds.  Though one can water it and apply fertilizer, he has little control whether it grows, but must accept what happens.  The seed sprouts and produces the sprout, then the flowers, and finally the fruit of its own accord, with little input from the farmer.  When the crop is ripe he harvests it as if it was all the result of his labor.  Similarly, while we can plant the seed, and may reap the harvest, the production is the result of God’s work rather than our own,  As John 6:44 says, “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.”  We need to remember it is God who produces the results, not us. 

  

“And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it?  It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.” (Mark 4:30-32)

The last parable mentioned here again reiterates the idea tha the results are what God produces.  He can take one of the tiniest seeds and turn it into a huge tree that has an impact on a vast area, but it is up to him what happens. 

“And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it.  But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.” (Mark 4:33-34)

Jesus did not hide his teachings from anyone, but he spoke in parables, so that only those who cared enough to think about it or ask for explanations would fully understand.  He was not interested in having a big following, but in reaching those who wanted the truth.  As a result, on the Day of Pentecost, there were only about a hundred and twenty who were present in the upper room, despite  the thousands who had flocked to hear him at different times.  

Parable of the Sower

Mark 4:1-20

“And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up.  And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away.

And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit.  And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred.  And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.” (Mark 4:1-9)

The multitudes followed Jesus.  In order to make himself heard better, he went out from shore in a small boat and taught from there.  In the process of teaching he used an illustration they were very familiar with, of a farmer planting seed such as wheat, by broadcasting it in field he had plowed.  Broadcasting is slinging the seed out so that it will be scattered on top of the ground, where it can be raked in.  Unfortunately, as a result one has only limited control of where the seed goes.    Some landed on soil that had not been plowed, some landed on a rocky area where there was only a faint skim of soil.  Some landed among a lot of weeds and weed seed, and some landed on the best prepared ground.  The results varied widely.  He advised the people to pay close attention to the story. 

“And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable.

And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.” (Mark 4:10-12)

Everyone there could understand that different conditions produced different results.  They lived with it every day, but the disciples were concerned that they might not fully understand the meaning.    Jesus explained that the parables were deliberate so that while everyone could enjoy and learn from the stories, only those with a deeper interest, who took the teaching seriously and thought deeply would understand the all the ramifications.   Those who were not interested would not understand enough to be converted and have their sins forgiven. 

“And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?  The sower soweth the word.  And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.” (Mark 4:13-15)

If they didn’t understand such a simple, familiar illustration, how were they to understand his other parables?    The farmer went out to spread the seed, God’s word.  Some of it landed on unplowed ground, and just laid on top, where the birds picked it up before it ever had a chance to grow.  People who have never heard and have no interest soon forget what they have heard of the gospel. 

“And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.” (Mark 4:16-17)

The soil over a rock is like the people who find the message exciting, and think a way to escape hell is a good idea.  They make professions to please the preacher or because it is the popular thing to do, or will get them attention in the church.  They have no real commitment to God or Christ, and turn away when it a commitment is called for. 

“And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.” (Mark 4:18-19)

The seed among thorns represents those who sincerely desire God and his blessings, but become so caught up in earning a living, raising their family, and materialistic desires that they don’t grow spiritually like they should.

“And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.” (Mark 4:20)

The final group represents those who are prepared to receive the Word wholeheartedlyand devote their lives to it.  They produce spiritual fruit in abundance, with some producing more than others for whatever reason.  

Blasphemy Against The Holy Spirit

Mark 3:22-35

“And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.” (Mark 3:22)

Jesus teaching had challenged several of the things the scribes and Pharisees were teaching as fact,and the vast numbers flocking to hear him instead of coming to hear them was bothering them.  They began to look for some accusation they could make that would discredit him, somewhat like what we saw with the presidential election campaign just past, with accusations being made without concern for whether they were true.    They accused Jesus of casting out demons by satanic power.

“And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan?  And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.  And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.  And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end.  No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house.” (Mark 3:23-27)

Jesus responded to their claims, starting with a series of illustrations.  As he pointed out, a nation involved in a civil war is vulnerable to attacks by other countries, and a family that is fighting among themselves is likely to lose their business to outsiders.   In the same way, if Satan were fighting against himself, he would weaken his ability to seize control.  The only way to rob a strong man is to some way prevent him from using his strength effectively, by tying him up or forcing him to focus on more than one enemy.   The only way to defeat Satan is to overcome his power in some way. 

“Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.” (Mark 3:28-30)

By claiming Jesus’s power came from Satan, the scribes were blaspheming the Holy Spirit, claiming what he was doing was satanic.   It is important to understand that either to credit satanic actions to the Holy
Spirit, or to credit the Holy Spirit’s actions to Satan is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit that will not be forgiven.  We need to make sure the gifts of the Holy Spirit really came from him, and the things we think are satanic really are.  It is easy to judge wrongly.  I john 4:1-8 gives instructions on how to test whether the spirits are from God or not. 

“There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him.  And the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee.

And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren?  And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren!  For whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.” (Mark 3:31-35)

Several groups have held that Mary never had other children.  The scripture is clear, that she had several.  The people in the region knew who they were.   Others have put a lot of focus on Mary as having special spiritual importance.  Jesus stresses that everyone who serves God is just as much his family as Mary and his physical siblings.  All Mary did was obey God, and that is all anyone else has to do.