Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Lessons from Mark 5 (Part 2)

Referring again to the study of Mark 5:21-43, I would like to share with you a different perspective-that of our teacher, Dot Elwood, with her permission.
She learned much from this passage from the perspective of Jairus, the synagogue ruler and dying girl's father.

How difficult it must have been for this man, who after pleading for Jesus' help and convincing Jesus to come with Him, to wait for Jesus to actually get to his house. This was urgent! His precious daughter was on the verge of death! He was probably wishing Jesus would run - FAST! Yet, in the midst of the crowd pressing in all around Him, He stops to see who touched Him. I'm sure in such a crowd, many people had touched Him, but verse 30 says, "At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from Him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, 'Who touched my clothes?'" Jesus knew who touched Him, because He knows all things. He stopped in order to minister to this woman. Great for the woman, but what about Jairus who was standing there.......waiting? He probably wanted to physically pull Jesus along! Then, Jairus' worst fears are realized. "While Jesus was still speaking (with the woman), some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. 'Your daughter is dead,' they said. 'Why bother the teacher any more?'" (Mark 5:35)

But wait, the story doesn't end there. Verse 36: "Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, 'Don't be afraid; just believe.'" Jesus then proceeds to Jairus' house. He moves right past the mourners who were "crying and wailing loudly." (vs. 38) And, "He took her by the hand and said to her, 'Talitha koum!' (which means , 'Little girl, I say to you, get up!'). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished." (Mark 5:41-42) Think about that for a moment. NOW how do you think Jairus felt? Talk about an emotional roller coaster!
Dot gleaned some really insightful lessons from this passage that really spoke to me and blessed my heart. I trust they will for you as well.

1. Don't listen to the enemy around us. (Telling us not to bother the teacher, that there is no hope.)
2. God's delays are faith-stretching opportunities!
3. God's delays don't always mean "no".
4. On the other side of my delay may be an answer so much better than we anticipated.

Dear sister, may this encourage you today as you wait on the Lord. He has not forgotten you!

Stacey Poplawski
WOC Graduate

(All Scripture taken from the NIV)

DIGGING DEEPER
James 2:14-17 (ESV)
14What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

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