When Faith Reaches Out

Has disappointment or discouragement persuaded you to stop reaching for Jesus?

Domesticated Faith

A Markan Sandwich

He 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. A large crowd followed and pressed round him. Mark 5:23–24 (NIV)

Undomesticated Faith

Do not fear, only believe. Mark 5:36 (ESV)

1.         Crying Out In Crisis

Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He 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 (NIV)

So Jesus went with him. Mark 5:24 (NIV)

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me. Psalm 23:4 (NIV).

2.         Reaching Out Anyway

A large crowd followed and pressed round Him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. Mark 5:24–26 (NIV)

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.’ Mark 5:27–28 (NIV)

Throughout the generations to come you are to make tassels on the corners of your garments, with a blue cord on each tassel. You will have these tassels to look at and so you will remember all the commands of the LORD. Numbers 15:38–39 (NIV)

The Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings (tassels). Malachi 4:2 (NKJV)

3. Jesus Stops for the One

Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering-disease. Mark 5:24–29 (NIV)

At once Jesus realised that power had gone out from him. He turned round in the crowd and asked, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ Mark 5:30 (NIV)

A crowd of people were pressing upon Christ, but only one woman touched Him. To touch Him is the privilege of faith. Charles H. Spurgeon

Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at His feet and, trembling with fear, told Him the whole truth. Mark 5:33 (NIV)

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to feel sympathy for our weaknesses… Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15–16 (NIV)

Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering. Mark 5:34 (NIV)

Trouble the Teacher

While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. ‘Your daughter is dead,’ they said. ‘Why bother the teacher anymore?’ Mark 5:35 (NIV)

Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid; just believe.’ Mark 5:36 (NIV)

When they came to the home… Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. …He went in and said to them, ‘Why all this commotion and wailing? …But they laughed at Him. …He put them all out. Mark 5:38–40 (NIV)

He took her by the hand and said to her… ‘Little girl, I say to you, get up!’ Mark 5:41 (NIV)

In the presence of the God who creates out of nothing and holds the power to bring to life what is dead, Abraham believed. Romans 4:17 (Voice)