Tag: Mark 5
Only believe!
Scripture reading for February 14: Mark 5
“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 . .” Mark 5:36-42
Jesus confronted all kinds of sickness, demon possession, and now even death of a twelve year old child. This child was the daughter of the synagogue ruler. This ruler had come to Jesus pleading for His healing intervention. On the way, Jesus was interrupted by a woman who touched His garment and was healed. Then a messenger from the synagogue ruler’s household came with word that the child had already died. Jesus firmly instructed the ruler not to be afraid but to believe. Jesus took with Him only His inner circle of disciples and upon arriving, found the usual wailing and grief. He tried quieting the crowd by telling them that the girl was only asleep. This brought derisive laughter. All were put out except mother, father, and the three trusted disciples.
Contrary to the sentiment of the crowd of mourners, Jesus’ world view saw restoration and healing in response to believing faith. Contrary to those who laughed, Jesus calmly took the child by the hand and commanded her to arise. Immediately, (a term loved by Mark!) the girl arose and began to walk! Great joy filled the house where moments before there was grief and mourning. With those who by faith believe, nothing is impossible! Seeing from Jesus’ perspective brings vision for resurrection from death!
Have you ever been confronted with a situation that looked hopeless even though you had asked Jesus for help? What did the battle inside between fear and faith feel like? Have you ever had to remove yourself from those around you that refuse to act in faith?
Prayer: Father God, forgive me for not always taking impossible situations to You and instead giving way to fear. Help me to be an encourager of faith and not a hindrance or a mocker. Let me walk with Jesus each day into impossible situations and see immediate victory in response to prayer and declaration! Amen.
Only believe!
Scripture reading for February 16th: Mark 5
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Mark 5:35-36 “While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the Teacher any more? Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.”
Jairus had come in faith to Jesus for healing of a daughter that he knew was dying. Jesus had responded and went with him to minister to his daughter. On the way, another hurting woman reached out and touched Jesus’ garment and He felt divine healing power flow from that exchange. He stopped and after identifying the woman, declared that her faith had healed her. But bad news arrived from Jairus’ home–his daughter was dead! The servant told him not to bother Jesus any more!
As Jairus was contemplating what to do, Jesus spoke a simple word of encouragement: “Don’t be afraid, just believe.” Believers must never feel that bringing a need to Jesus is bothering Him in any way! We must hold onto our trust and press on. Simply resting in Christ Jesus brings us peace and fear must leave!
Observations for over-comers: Even in the face of an impossible situation, running to Jesus in faith is the answer to receiving a miracle! In the face of bad reports, we cling to our faith to see it become sight! “In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from Your sight!” Yet You heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help. Love the Lord, all His saints! The Lord preserves the faithful, . . .” (Psalms 31:22-23)
Faith thinking!
Scripture reading for February 16th: Mark 5
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Mark 5:27-29 “When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.”
Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake and a man named Jairus, a synagogue ruler, came asking Him to come to his house and heal his dying daughter. As Jesus went with Jairus, a large crowd followed along and one woman pressed through the crowd to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. When she did this, Jesus felt power leave His body and looked around to see who had touched Him. The woman came to Him and humbly confessed what she had done. Jesus commended her for her faith and declared her healing!
The key to this woman’s healing was her belief in her heart that Jesus could and would heal her. She spoke to herself this truth: “If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed.” Jesus actually felt her faith drawing healing power from His body as she acted on what she truly believed, pressing through the crowd to touch Jesus’ robe! (Mark 5:30) He drew her faith confession from her lips again to seal her healing!
Observations for over-comers: We must guard our hearts and speak words of faith in each situation and trial of life. Words are powerful when they come from believing hearts. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)
“Don’t be afraid, just believe!”
Scripture reading for February 16th: Mark 5
Jesus was always on the move, going from place to place as the Spirit led Him. He was approached by a synagogue ruler who had a daughter who was deathly ill. “Seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet and pleaded earnestly with Him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him.” (Mark 5:22-24) This man was a religious leader, but his attitude was one of humility and pleading with Jesus for His help. This indicated that he had faith that Jesus could and would help with this desperate situation. Jesus honored his faith by going with him.
On the way, a woman with an issue of blood that had tormented her for 12 years sought out Jesus to touch his clothes. She believed that if she could get close enough to touch Him, she would be healed. “Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from Him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” (Mark 5:29-30) She admitted that she had touched him and Jesus responded that her faith had healed her!
In the meantime, servants notified Jairus that his daughter had died and told him not to bother Jesus. Jesus had simple advice, “Don’t be afraid, just believe.” (Mark 5:36) Jesus arrived at the house to find many mourners crying and wailing. He announced that the child was not dead but asleep! They laughed at Him and He put them all out. Taking his trusted disciples, Jesus took the girl by the hand and commanded her to get up. She arose at His command! Don’t fear–only believe!