Study 13
Jesus has power over sickness and death
Read Mark 5v21-43
In this reading we have two totally different people; Jairus, an important, rich, religious officer and an anonymous woman, poor and a nobody. Whoever the person Jesus is always gentle, easy to speak to, a healer of the broken hearted. He is a man the weak and helpless can run to and a person who can comfort the distressed when the situation seems hopeless. He is someone who gives hope.
Needing Jesus
While other religious leaders were arrogant Jairus realised when his daughter was dying that he needed Jesus. This seemingly unimportant woman not only heard about Jesus' power but when all the best medical help had failed her she forces her way through the crowd to touch Jesus and is healed. As spectators, it is easy for us to think this would have been the end of the matter as Jesus is about important business. But verses 30 and 31 teach us that he is not only concerned that people get what they need from Him, but also that they know Him personally. There is also another truth here. The bible says that it is with our "hearts" that we "believe" and are "justified" but it is with our “mouth" that we need to "confess" to be saved (Romans 10:10). She believed inwardly when she touched his cloak. . Now she had to be courageous and confess him in front of others. Only then does Jesus say to her “Go in peace". There are no secret Christians in heaven.
A lost case?
Jairus' daughter had died. How heartless the people were when they cried “Why bother the teacher any more?" But not Jesus. He tells Jairus not to be afraid and to believe. This is not mere positive thinking but a command to trust. There are others who pretend to cure (verse 30) but clearly do not (verse 40). Jesus however finds raising the dead as easy as waking a child from sleep. We see astonishing power here over man's last enemy, death. Only through Jesus can we say with the bible - "Where O death is your victory? Where O death is your sting? The sting of death is sin and the power of sin is the law but thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). How practical Jesus is when he tells the child to eat!
Time to think
- Do you think Jesus can give you hope?
- How can Jesus help you when you are dying?
If you have any questions during or after completing this study please email Us