Stories of Desperate Faith
Dan Schmidt, June 13, 2010Part of the Women of the Bible series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
Mark 5:21-43
This week’s sermon in the Women of the Bible series tells two Stories of Desperate Faith as it reveals both the doctrinal and spiritual implications of two women. Although unnamed, from a doctrinal perspective, the woman which had an issue of blood for twelve years and Jairus’ daughter, who laid at the point of death, both represent the ill spiritual condition of Israel. Their healings indicate that Israel will once again experience restoration.
Spiritually, as we examine the woman with the issue of blood, we realize that to have broken through the crowd and to touch the bottom of Christ’s garment, she had to have been crawling. Her physical position reveals a brokenness of spirit, genuine humility, and desperate faith. Despite the fact that many were tugging at Jesus, only this humble woman of faith received anything from Christ.
The faith of Jairus also provides a spiritual lesson as it illustrates that only God can rescue those we love. Despite the fact that we may think otherwise, it is never too late for God to work wonders in the life of those we care about.
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| Earlier: | Same day: | Later: |
|---|---|---|
| « The Woman at the Well | None | Herodias; The Woman Who Refused Reproof » |
Mark 5:21-43
21And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. 22And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. 25And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. 35While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? 36As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 37And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. 38And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. 39And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. 40And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. 41And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. 43And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat. (KJV)