Faith must put unbelief outside

 

Mark 5: 21-43

 

Jesus is returning to the Jewish side of the sea of Galilee, it is the western side and has been asked to leave the eastern side by Gentiles, after the healing of a man whose body had been the host of many demons.   

 

Using Mark's favorite word; immediately as they reached the other side a crowd gathered, and a ruler of the synagogue named Jairus fell at Jesus's feet and said, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.”  And he went with him.  As Jairus was talking to Jesus some came from the house to report your daughter is dead, do not trouble the Teacher any further.  Now hearing this Jairus was an emotional wreck and Jesus said, “Do not fear, only believe.”  Note from this writer, each and every one of us needs to apply that to our lives, each day, and so how are you in compliance in all the fear being passed on each day of this pandemic?

 

Back to Jairus's daughter, and this is what took place, “They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.   And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.”   And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.  Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”  And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.  And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.”

 

Anytime you are being led by the Spirit of God as Jesus was, though He was God in the flesh, He did not look to Himself but always to His Father for His power.  If it is God who is telling you to go and do something and you obey, it’s as if Jesus is doing it all through you.  So put the words of Jesus in your mind in John 15:20, “Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.”  The bottom line is when you and I follow Jesus, the world is going to hate you and make fun of you.  A great example of this is New York City telling Samaritan's Purse responded to COVID-19 and after things were better, that they did not need such people in New York. 

 

When the people laughed at Jesus He put them outside, for where there is doubt and faith will not work together.  Remember these words of Jesus; “Do not fear, only believe.”  

 

From the Back Porch,

 

Bob Rice