Walking with Jesus

Rise Up !!

Our Sunday Morning sermon at Open Door Church was by Pastor Rodney and from my notes I present an edited message.

The stories are found in Luke 8:40-56, Matthew 9:18-26 and in Mark 5:21-43; Pastor Rodney selected the scriptures from Mark’s gospel.  Jesus had returned from Decapolis where He had cast out unclean spirits from a deranged man.

Mark 5:21  And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.  And, behold, there came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet,  And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lays at the point of death: I beg you to come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

Jesus went with the man and the people followed and thronged him pushing and shoving and suddenly Jesus was interrupted as he journeyed to heal the sick girl. 

Jesus asked, “Who touched me?”  Jesus was walking in the Supernatural and his followers were used to facts and what was natural. They thought they had the answer.  Sometimes we think we have the answer but we fail to see the Supernatural.

Their remark sounded reasonable that of course someone touched Jesus because everyone is pressing and forcing their way to be close to Jesus.  However a small woman crawling on her knees, fearfully and trembling confessed that she in faith had touched the hem of His garment and was healed of her 12 years of suffering that her doctors could not cure.  She had plugged in to the power source to receive healing while others were merely reaching out with their inquisitive and curious hands and minds. Jesus told her to go in peace and to be whole of her plague.

While Jesus was still speaking to the woman, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain messengers saying: “Your daughter is dead, so there is no need to trouble Jesus any further.”  Those bringing the message of doom were speaking fact as they knew it, but Jesus understood something else and said to the ruler, be not afraid, only believe.

The messengers were saying, “Don’t bother Jesus, all is lost, you might as well give up, there is no hope now, you can just quit all this believing in Jesus stuff.”

The truth is there folks; don’t allow a bad report to control your faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus had just healed a chronically ill woman, so could He raise the dead?

As they arrived at the home, Jesus only allowed Peter, James and John to accompany him and Jairus into the house.  Inside there was a loud demonstration of wailing and weeping going on.  The situation was serious.  Where were the people of faith?

Jesus did not want any distractions but to only focus on the present need and to conquer death.   However here was this big commotion of bawling and howling as was their custom.

Jesus spoke and asked “Why all this ado?  The girl is not dead, but only sleeps.”

At those words, they laughed him to scorn. But Jesus took no notice of their ridicule and put them all out of the house.  Taking only the girl’s parents and Peter, James and John, they entered into the girl’s chamber where Jesus took her by the hand and commanded her to rise. Immediately the girl rose up and walked. All but Jesus were astonished with great astonishment. 

 

Jesus told the parents to “Give her something to eat.”  When Jesus told them to give her something to eat he was showing he is interested in the small details of life as well as those that are life threatening situations.

Many today walk in darkness and in Spiritual death.  Jesus is ready to restore them to life in Him which is Life eternal.  Then we must be ready to give them something to eat.