Our assignments for this week are: Monday chapter 5, Tuesday chapter 6, Wednesday chapter 7, Thursday chapter 8 and Friday chapter 9.
We begin week 2 of our journey through the New Testament with an exciting account of Jesus and his power. The chapter divisions in the Bible are arbitrary and having a weekend break between chapters 4 and 5 exacerbates the division between Jesus calming the storm in chapter 4 and the confrontation with the demon possessed man in chapter 5. As Mark wrote this account the events follow each other in series and that is important for us to consider today.
Mark is showing us here that this Jesus of Nazareth is more than an itinerant preacher from Nazareth. Mark is showing us that Jesus has power over the elements, the spirit realm and power over sickness and disease before chapter 5 ends.
Jesus heals a woman who has suffered for 12 years. She is healed by simply touching Jesus in faith. Jairus’ daughter is raised from the dead as the chapter ends. Interesting that the woman had suffered for 12 years and the little girl is 12 years old.
Mark presents his readers with a savior who is powerful and willing and able to save us. This is Jesus our Lord.
About Me
- Pastor Bill
- I am a committed follower of Jesus Christ, a happy husband, father and grandfather!
9 comments:
It is interesting that the disciples were terrified of Jesus' power in chapter 4 verse 41 and that the people pleaded with Jesus to leave their region because they did not understand or could not explain His power in chapter 5 verse 17. How often do we allow ourselves to be terrified and accept the status quo of the sinful worldly ways that surround us rather than relying on Jesus' power that is available to us through prayer and faith?
Interestng that the first reaction of the woman--who knew that she had been healed--was fear when jesus asked who touched Him. Dis she fear that He would rescind the blessing--"unheal"her?
Then as Jairus receives news that the daughter that he is bringing Jesus to heal has died, Jesus first words are "Do not be afraid."
Both the woman and Jairus had confidence in Jesus ability to heal, but perhaps doubted His willingness.
Jesus demonstrated to each that He is not only able, He can be trusted.
I have heard faith defined as "confidence in God."
Confidence dispells fear.
Jesus shows that we can be confident not only in His power, but in His caring.
Great comments - how would we, how do we react to God's power today?
Awesome God we serve...
Bill
Pastor Bill, you got me thinking about the number 12... I did a search on: http://www.audio-bible.com/bible/bible.html
and it gave quite a few references to the number twelve, many concerning Jesus' 12 deciples, but other interesting "12's" as well.
I think we as humbled humans, have a hard time believing we are worthy of God's grace... we can believe in God's awesome power and love but somehow it doesn't apply to us. When I finally realized it did apply to me (on my walk), how did I react? I was in awe, it literally took my breath away and endless tears cleansed years of guilt and my heart was flooded with a love I never imagined to be so powerful till I was able to let it in. I don't feel alone anymore, because I know I am not. Tears of joy now have replaced the ones of guilt, but I am still in awe and embrace each new day as a miracle in itself. I like the description of faith that jwg posted. We have the added benefit of the Holy Spirit within us, Jairus and the woman who bled for 12 years and was healed, did not, nor have wonderful bible studies. I can see their being afraid.
Thanks for speaking up Barb - it is a priviledge walking in faith with you and watching your faith grow and grow!
I am still caught short by God's love and power. Amazing Grace!
Bill
One of my favorite passages in the bible is this story of the woman searching for Jesus in the crowd - to simply touch his garment. She knew that touch would accomplish what no earthly physician could - the healing of her body.
Unfortunately, my familiarity with the passage has always caused me to read it too quickly. I missed (or failed to focus on) one of the most potent, life-changing verses in the bible. It is enclosed in verse 36. Jesus simply tells the ruler of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid; only believe."
WOW!
Pastor, without your blog and teaching, I would have continued to skip this significant verse.
His words shook me to the core - I know it is written in different ways throughout the bible, but when I read the verse this time, it hit me hard.
I could hear Jesus softly and calmly say these words to a man filled with fear and anxiety over his daughter - he was probably hysterical. I can hear the soft-spoken, simple (yet profound) response of Jesus - "Do not be afraid; only believe."
I know this may seeem weird, but I think I heard Jesus say it to me also as I read and re-read the passage. He spoke to me through this verse.
I now have it written on a 3X5 card and I am carrying it with me. It will be my foundation - the response to all of my earthly conflicts.
I will not be afraid; I will only believe.
Thank you Lord Jesus.
And thank you Pastor Bill for helping me find what Jesus knew I needed.
Mark - you are a blessing! Great insight as always and also as always you are an encourager!
My favorite name in the Bible - after Jesus of course - is Barnabas - the Son of Encouragement. Mark, you are a Barnabas in my life!
Bill
I am awed by the complexity and simplicity of these events. A woman touching another's cloak...so simple and yet such a powerful statement of faith. A distraught father accepts and afirms his faith in Jesus. It seems like such a little thing to cause such a life changing reaction.
I'm struck in this chapter by the fact that in the first scene, we have people begging Jesus to leave them alone, and in the second, begging Jesus to intervene. I think that's where we spend a lot of our faith journeys - begging God to intervene and begging God to leave us alone at turns, depending on what we think is best for ourselves at the moment, whether or not we are ready to change, grow, be moved...
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