1. Christ’s miracles – unparalleled power, unparalleled pity Mark 5:21-43 Message 6 in our 10-part series on The Gospel of Mark. Sunday, May 29, 2011 Speaker: Doug Virgint

2. Our outline Introduction 1) The ruler’s request 2) The woman’s healing 3) The daughter’s resurrection Conclusion

3. Our outline Introduction 1) The ruler’s request 2) The woman’s healing 3) The daughter’s resurrection Conclusion

4. Introduction God’s action plan to reveal Christ’s identity and power

5. Introduction The miracles were Jesus’ self- revelation - the disclosure, the manifestation, the verification of His person by His power.

6. Introduction He chose expressions of power that were connected to delivering people from all the sufferings of life. That power was always accompanied by pity, filled with mercy towards human pain and suffering.

7. Introduction Jesus’ use of His power was always a demonstration that: “God so loved the world”

8. Introduction The manThe woman 12 year old daughter12 year old disease richpoor rulerhumble respectedrejected honouredashamed popularoutcast leader of synagogueexcommunicated brought lowlifted high

9. Mark 5: 23 - 31 Unparalleled power Unparalleled pity Our outline Introduction 1) The ruler’s request 2) The woman’s healing 3) The daughter’s resurrection Conclusion

10. 1) The rulers request Jairus was a ruler in the synagogue probably in Capernaum he had witnessed many healings his great need drove him to Jesus he exercised genuine faith in Christ he fell at Jesus’ feet

11. 1) The rulers request Five words that describe our Lord: a) accessible b) available c) interruptible d) indomitable e) imperturbable

12. 1) The rulers request a) Jesus is accessible no intermediaries not hidden behind guards in a palace not in a temple behind golden doors with ordinary people in ordinary places

13. 1) The rulers request b) Jesus is available he gave himself he gave his time, energy, effort he made himself available even if he was already busy with a crowd

14. 1) The rulers request b) available “A bruised reed he will not break, and a smouldering wick he will not snuff out “ Matthew 20. 20 Jairus’ heart was breaking – Jesus took time for him and met his need.

15. Our outline Introduction 1) The ruler’s request 2) The woman’s healing 3) The daughter’s resurrection Conclusion

16. 2) The woman’s healing c) Jesus is interruptible he had already interrupted his ministry with the crowd now, even if he is on His way to perform a noble deed, he allows himself to be interrupted again

17. 2) The woman’s healing This woman : she had a medical problem 12 years of frequent bleeding had left her with anemia and weak with low energy levels there were no iron pills or tonics in those days

18. 2) The woman’s healing This woman : she had a psychological problem she would have been worn down with discouragement and helplessness

19. 2) The woman’s healing This woman : she had a social problem her marriage was certainly affected no doubt she could not bear children she would not have been welcomed in good society

20. 2) The woman’s healing This woman : she had a spiritual problem she was ceremonially unclean for 12 years she had not entered the synagogue or the temple she had to make a special sacrifice to purify herself, every 7 days she was constantly reminded of her sinfulness

21. 2) The woman’s healing This woman : she had a financial problem ruined by physicians who were little better than quacks an ostrich egg in a linen bag - summer an ostrich egg in a cotton bag - winter drink wine with alum, crocuses, onions

22. 2) The woman’s healing This woman : she was shy and embarrassed and had been rejected for years she exercised great faith in Jesus, wanting to grab one of the tassels on the hem of his cloak she was healed immediately

23. 2) The woman’s healing d) Jesus is indomitable Jesus took charge of the situation note the strong word “immediately” but this was not an impersonal force Jesus immediately sought her out He asked the question, not because he did not know the answer, but to force her to make a public confession

24. 2) The woman’s healing We learn important lessons about God: He is a personal God, not a force He is not impassable – nor the God of the deists He is not detached or impersonal – He is personally engaged towards us this ends all magic, all superstition Jesus was drawing this woman to himself – pursuing her

25. 2) The woman’s healing Jesus rewards this woman’s faith: He heals her He restores her to society He saves her He calls her “daughter” He sends her on her way in peace He relieved her suffering (“mastigos” – whipped, scourged)

26. Our outline Introduction 1) The ruler’s request 2) The woman’s healing 3) The daughter’s resurrection Conclusion

27. 2) The daughter’s resurrection J. B. Hardy wrote “Countdown” He asks two questions: Has death been conquered? Has death been conquered for me?

28. 3) The daughter’s resurrection The delay with the sick woman proved deadly for Jairus’ daughter: “Don’t trouble the teacher” “We have seen him perform many miracles, but even He cannot raise the dead”

29. 3) The daughter’s resurrection e) Jesus is imperturbable (unflappable, unruffled, calm) “Stop fearing – keep on believing” “Replace your fear by your faith”

30. 3) The daughter’s resurrection Funerals in Jesus’ day : A) you tear your clothes 39 regulations on how to tear clothes while standing – big enough for fist over heart if relative – else close 30 days evident it was torn B) you hire professional wailers C) you arrange for playing flutes

31. 3) The daughter’s resurrection Notice how quickly their professional wailing turns to laughing at Jesus Jesus redefines death: “The child is not dead but sleeping.” “Death is a temporary condition”

32. 3) The daughter’s resurrection Jesus performs the miraculous resurrection: privately away from the incredulous crowd in the company of his 3 most intimate disciples

33. Conclusion Jesus rewards this man’s faith: He heals his daughterpower He calls her “little lamb”tenderness He meets her need for foodcare

34. Our outline Introduction 1) The ruler’s request 2) The woman’s healing 3) The daughter’s resurrection Conclusion

35. Like Jairus and this woman, do you have a need this morning? perhaps like this woman you know that before almighty God you are unclean This morning, like Jairus and the woman, turn to the right person

36. Conclusion O Christ, in Thee my soul hath found, And found in Thee alone, The peace, the joy I sought so long, The bliss till now unknown. I sighed for rest and happiness, I yearned for them, not Thee; But, while I passed my Saviour by, His love laid hold on me.

37. Conclusion I tried the broken cisterns, Lord, But, ah, the waters failed; Even as I stooped to drink they fled, And mocked me as I wailed. Now none but Christ can satisfy, None other Name for me! There’s love, and life, and lasting joy, Lord Jesus, found in Thee.

38. Conclusion How happy that we have a God who is: directly accessible always available fully interruptible altogether indomitable completely imperturbable

39. Conclusion How happy that we have a God who: demonstrates His power by exercising mercy