- Mark 5:1-20 Jesus takes His disciples to Gentile country. This was a huge step “out of their comfort zone”. Many of the rabbis of that day taught the people to never step foot on Gentile soil. They had forgotten the promise of God that said they would be a “light to the Gentiles.” But Jesus had not forgotten this promise. And He was going to show His disciples that God loved the Gentiles and wanted to rescue them out of their sin. This story is an illustration of how Messiah can save people who are in the deepest kind of darkness. The torment and bondage this man lives in is horrendous. Jesus reaches into this darkness and rescues this man from a hell that would cause many of us to retreat the other way. This story is not just an illustration but it is an equipping for ministry. Think of how the disciples would later be commanded to “go” into the Gentile world and proclaim the Gospel. They would soon be confronted with this scenario over and over. I’m sure as they continued their ministry, their minds would often race back to the times they had with Jesus and the things they saw Him do. Yes, Jesus was freeing and individual and training a band of disciples all at the same time. This deliverance was not only meant to astonish them, it also was meant to equip & empower them for what was ahead. May this story do the same for us.
- Mark 5:34 Jesus speaks to the woman who was sick with a constant bleeding from a female problem. This sickness would have caused her to be ceremonially unclean and unable to go among a crowd of people. She knows that she must get to Jesus. She presses through the crowd and reaches out and grabs His robe. Immediately, she was healed and she knew it and Jesus knew it. This is what He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction." In the Gospels we see Messiah touching and healing many in various ways. But in this story, a woman reaches out and touches Him. What does this teach us about faith?
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Mark 5
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5 comments:
I noticed that after Jesus commanded the demons to leave the man and go into the pigs that the people in the region were afraid of Jesus and asked him to leave. Were they afraid of his power, or is it because they believed as the teachers of the law did that only Satan can drive out Satan? And I noticed that before in the gospel of Matthew, it was noted that Jesus commanded the ones healed to tell no one. Now he is telling this man to go home to his family and tell what Jesus did for him. Why was this different?
Please forgive me, but why again was it Peter, James and John that went with Jesus when he went to Jairus' house? Was there something about these three's faith that was stronger than the other disciples? Or, did they need to see the miracles to show them their faith was weak? Or something else? I would like to know because this question has always bothered me.
To Sweetteaqueen:
They were definitely afraid of Jesus' power. And I'm sure He radiated a holy presence that they were not accustomed to in their pagan land. They also were probably pretty upset about the 2,000 pigs as well. In fact they were more concerned about their economic loss than they were the human being that was just set free. Sound familar?...more worried about money than people. All of these were factors in asking Jesus to leave. He would be too much of a disruption to their way of living. It's one of the same reasons many turn Jesus away, today.
Jesus told this man to go and tell everybody what had been done and Jesus tells others to tell no one. These instructions had to do with His plans and purposes for that specific time. Remember, He told one not to tell but go to the priest and do what the Law of Moses tells you to do. This man did NOT follow Jesus' instruction. He went and told and there was such an uproaor that Jesus had to leave the area.
Jesus took Peter, James & John with Him often. Not exactly sure of all the reasons why. It's always been said that these were a part of Jesus' inner circle. Don't believe He was showing favortism or any thing like that. But it's just natural in a group of 12 to be closer to some than others. You love all but you may be connected more tightly to some for one reason or another. Perhaps this suggest that there was a leadership structure within the 12 disciples. Perhaps it was special training for what these particular men were to face in the future. Whatever the reason, Jesus is right by doing whatever He pleased with any of them or any of us - He's the Master and we are His servants.
The story of the woman with the bleeding issue is a story that speaks directly to me. She perfectly describes me and what I have battled with my fibromyalgia and migraines. Everytime it seems like I am getting somewhere, I develop a new complication or am given another diagnosis and another medication. Lately, the doctor has been considering that I might have a mild form of bi-polar.
It is very hard to not get just completely discouraged and think that Jesus has forgotten about me. That He is deliberately keeping Himself out of reach.
I first really read this miracle last Spring, when for me it would have been my 12th year of battling health issues. I really felt that God was going to bring me a year of healing, but that did not take place. In fact, I got much worse in almost all areas.
It took me a long time to accept that I had not failed God and that was why He hadn't healed me like I believed. That my faith was not to blame. I didn't understand why He did not physically heal me, but I have learned what touching the hem of His robe means. I have learned how to keep pressing through the crowd of guilt and pain and trials to reach Him.
And how He is always right there when I reach out to touch Him. And the way He absolutely loves me and rewards even the smallest amount of faith. That He will accept me just as I am, even when others see me as unclean. And He never accuses me of it all being something I am making up, but sees my pain as very real and cares very deeply for me.
This is true of any kind of pain we are facing - financial, emotional, mental, physical - and He is always there. Sometimes we may have to press harder and really fight the lies to get to Him, but He is right there waiting for us to reach out our hands.
JoelleLewis: I understand your pain. I too have suffered for years with migraines and various stomach issues. Lately, I have literally had to claim the verse in Psalms where it says to dwell in the secret places of the most High and He will keep you under the shadow of the Almighty. Sometimes I just have to hide in Him. He is our refuge. He is our strength. Keep on claiming your healing no matter what. Sometimes God takes us through these trials to test us and to cause us to be more dependent on Him and to seek Him. I have had to learn to forgive and love all over again certain people or groups and release them when I have experienced hurt or rejection. For me, it took that to have peace within myself. Do you remember the picture of the Footsteps? When I haven't felt God's presence never meant He was not there. It only meant that He was carrying me. He was there all along.
Pastor Ron: Thanks for the answer to Sweetteaqueen. It really amazed as that the people of the region asked Jesus to leave. I understood their fear of His power but not their rejection of Him after witnessing that power. The economic loss did not occur to me. I also cannot understand why he instructs some to be quite about Him and other to tell everyone. It is because he knows their hearts and know who will reject him and who will not?
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