The scandal!

Upside down order of things!

And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” And he went with him.

And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had 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. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 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 (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

(Mar 5:21-43)

People are responding to Jesus

But do we believe it?

How people respond varies - as seen in today's story!

5 characters -

1.  With whom do you most identify?

2.  Considering the people you know, who are they most like?

The crowd

Casual observers.!

The uncommitted!

And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him v.21

Intrigued but not involved

Jesus allows their interest from afar!

But they are missing out....

Are you a part of the crowd?

The disciples.

Close but not yet changed

Their own expectations/opinions louder than Jesus

When do i allow Jesus to disrupt what I think and do?

The woman.

Unnamed and shamed!

And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. V25,26

Desperate but not defeated

And Jesus restores her to fullness of life.

Dignity!

But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease. V33,34

What does Jesus need to restore in you?

Jairus

One of the rulers of the synagogue v22

Respected, righteous and rich!

His reputation mattered for nothing because at heart he was a desperate Dad!

What are you prepared to risk for Jesus?

The little girl!

Had nothing to offer and no way to respond

And Yet Jesus restores her!

Like this little girl Jesus would come to you today

Even if you have nothing to offer - other than your need!

What do you need from Jesus today?

QUESTIONS FOR FURTHER STUDY AND REFLECTION

Jesus leaves Jairus (the respectable) to engage with a nobody (the woman) resulting in the girls death and the restoration of the woman. Who are the people we prioritise in our society, in your own relationships? Who would Jesus put first? See Matt 20:1-16

The stats are suggesting faith is increasing here in Australia and in particular among the younger generations. How does knowing this affect you? Will it change anything you do? What can we do to participate in what God is doing in our own generation. Do we have sufficient faith to believe what we don’t yet see?

The crowd were interested and uncommitted observers. When are you like this concerning what God is doing? How is God calling you to change? What would need to change if you were to commit?

The disciples knew Jesus well but their own thoughts made it hard for them to really understand what he was on about. When is this true for you? What is God inviting you to open your eyes to see? How might you be more open to this?

The woman came desperate and in faith. Who around us is desperate?  What am I desperate for? How would Jesus want to respond to us? 

Jairus was also desperate, but his desperation was for his daughter. Who are you desperate and come seeking Jesus for? What is it you want God to do for them? How might he be calling you to be a part of this?

The little girl had nothing to offer and was not involved, and yet Jesus brought her back to life. What does this say about Jesus ability and desire to reach – even people who are not yet seeking Him, or have nothing to offer Him? What does God want to do for them, for you?

Jesus is inviting us today to come to Him, seek Him and receive from Him all that he would give. What is stopping you? Why not ask Jesus today to give you life and help you do what it takes to help others experience His life?