PENTECOST 5 – June 27, 2021 – Mark 5:21-43
“JESUS’ GOODNESS, LOVE, AND POWER”
Introduction: Grace be to you and peace, from God our Father, and from our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Our text is the Gospel Lesson just read, from Mark 5. We begin with prayer.
Dear fellow disciples of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ:
- Our text for this morning is good for us to keep in mind, especially during those times when it seems that Jesus is not answering our prayers, or that He is unable to answer our prayers.
- Jesus went with Jairus, but it appeared to be of no benefit, as his daughter died before Jesus could get there. Imagine the pain and sorrow Jairus must have felt, and the seeming futility of trusting in Jesus!
- We have times as well when our struggles and suffering seem endless. We also have times when we turn to God, and seek to trust in Him, but even more disappointment comes our way.
- There are times when we should remember these occurrences in the life and ministry of Jesus, so that we never despair and never lose sight of “JESUS’ GOODNESS, LOVE, AND POWER.”
- It was an unusual request made to Him by Jairus, but:
I. Jesus Did Go With Jairus – For Jesus Is Good
Text: “Jairus, seeing Him, fell at His feet and implored Him earnestly saying, ‘My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.’ And He went with him.”
Statement: Now it is perhaps true that Jesus wasn’t exactly on an office schedule. Surely He had a great deal of flexibility to His time. However, this was a request for a miracle, and a very powerful miracle, and it required His time and effort. And Jesus certainly is good – and so He responded favorably – He went with him. We should note one very important thing: Jairus was putting great faith and trust in Jesus, and so He went with him.
Application: Jesus has already promised us “Lo, I with you always, even to the end of the age.” He is already going with us wherever we go and whatever we do. This He does easily and graciously – because Jesus is good! We dare not forget these things, for as He said, “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” [Matt. 20:28] So you can be sure that He is with you always to serve you, to serve your greater good and blessedness. This is true even when we struggle to see how this is possible. But He bids us also: “Do not fear, only believe.” And this is what Jairus did.
And we should also consider:
II. A Woman Is Healed Just By Touching Jesus’ Garment – By His Goodness And Power
Text: “She heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, ‘If I touch even His garments, I will be made well.’ And immediately the flow of blood dried up and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.”
Statement: We see why Jairus put faith in Jesus. And note also the faith in this woman. In fact Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” What is evidenced over and over again is “Jesus’ Goodness, Power, And Love.”
Application: Imagine the frustration of this poor woman, who had spent all she had on doctors while continuing to struggle with this horrible discharge of blood for 12 long years. And she was growing worse over this time! Yet she heard reports about Jesus – and she believed. And she was made well and given the peace of Jesus!
We too are invited to put the same faith, trust, and confidence in Jesus! We see in all of this that He is eager also to heal us and to give us peace, no matter our difficulty or trouble. And we see in our text that:
III. Jesus’ Goodness, Love, And Power Bid Us To Believe And Trust In Him No Matter What
A. He Raised Back To Life A Dead Little Girl
Text: “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 and they were immediately overcome with amazement.”
B. He Was Even Concerned About Her Appetite
Text: “He told them to give her something to eat.”
Statement: It is interesting to note the attitude of the people toward Jesus. “They laughed at Him.” Can you imagine that? Have you ever been laughed at because of your faith and trust in Jesus? It happens, when people think too highly of themselves, their own cognitive abilities and powers, and are ignorant of Jesus’ knowledge, love, and power. They discount and disbelieve what Jesus can do for us. This is tragic for all involved. And they are also ignorant of the fact that even little things matter to Jesus, like the appetite of this young girl!
Application: But thankfully Jesus’ blessed action toward this young girl and toward Jairus’ family did not depend upon the faith of the crowd, but on the faith of the girl’s father and mother. We should remember however what Matthew concluded after Jesus had visited Nazareth: “He did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.” It may be the same for us if there are many who refuse to believe and trust in Jesus. Sadly, sometimes this lack of faith enters into members of the church and corrupts it!
But we are invited not to cynicism and stoicism, but rather to faith and trust in Jesus and action based upon what we know of Jesus – His Goodness, Love, And Power! So let us draw near to Him, and trust Him, and ask Him to heal us and to enable us to serve.
Conclusion: Remember the setback that Jairus had along the way? These things sometimes happen in our lives, and in our relationship with Jesus. But it all turned out well for Jairus and his family. Likewise, it will all turn out well for us – if not in this life then in the next.
Remember the 12 years that the woman spent suffering? Don’t wait 12 years to come to Jesus, and don’t waste all that you have on people who can’t cure you or give you peace.
Let us trust in Jesus and turn to Him no matter what our circumstances may be. Let us remember always His Goodness, Love, and Power. We have His promise: “The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.” [Lam. 3:25] Thanks and praise be to God! Amen.
Votum: And the peace of God, which surpasses all human understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds in the true faith, which is in Christ Jesus, even unto life everlasting. Amen.