From Death to Life

From Death to Life

(Mark 5:21-23, 35-43)

Yearly Theme:  “Kindness is… Astounding”

Series Title:  “Kindness 24/7”

September 24^th, 2023

Something to think about:

Pastor and author, Rick Warren, is quoted as having contrasted the difference between optimism and hope:  “Optimism” he says, “is psychological; hope is theological.  Optimism focuses on what you think you can do.  Hope trusts in what God can do.”

As we continue our series on the miracles of Jesus today, we come to a particular passage where a man’s faith is put to the test as he hopes that Jesus can heal his 12-year-old daughter.  Before Jesus can get there, the girl dies, and all hope seems lost.  However, Jesus instructs the man that it’s not over yet.  Let’s take a look:

Mark 5:21-23 (NLT),

²¹ Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around him on the shore.  ²² Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived.  When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, ²³ pleading fervently with him.  “My little daughter is dying,” he said.  “Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live. …”

³⁵ … While he was still speaking to her [the woman with the issue of bleeding in vs. 24-34], messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue.  They told him, “Your daughter is dead.  There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”

³⁶ But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid.  Just have faith.”

³⁷ Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn’t let anyone go with him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James).  ³⁸ When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw much commotion and weeping and wailing.  ³⁹ He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping?  The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.”

⁴⁰ The crowd laughed at him.  But he made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying.  ⁴¹ Holding her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means “Little girl, get up!”  ⁴² And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around!  They were overwhelmed and totally amazed.  ⁴³ Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened, and then he told them to give her something to eat.

Key Point:  “True acts of kindness can resurrect life and hope.”

Let’s walk through the narrative together this morning and break down the specifics:

• Jarius  Jesus could  his daughter.

Mark 5:21-23 (NLT),  ²¹ Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around him on the shore.  ²² Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived.  When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, ²³ pleading fervently with him.  “My little daughter is dying,” he said.  “Please come and lay your hands on her; heal her so she can live. …”

• Jesus  Jarius’  in the midst of devastating news.

Mark 5:35-36 (NLT),  ³⁵ … While he was still speaking to her [the woman with the issue of bleeding in vs. 24-34], messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue.  They told him, “Your daughter is dead.  There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”

³⁶ But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid.  Just have faith.”

• Because of a room full of  , Jesus entered an atmosphere of  to bring  .

Mark 5:40-43 (NLT),  ⁴⁰ The crowd laughed at him.  But he made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying.  ⁴¹ Holding her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means “Little girl, get up!”  ⁴² And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around!  They were overwhelmed and totally amazed.  ⁴³ Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened, and then he told them to give her something to eat.

Something to take home:

Hope is not hope if it can be taken away.  Hope only resides in the one who believes in a GOD who is more than able and capable of doing what is best in our lives and for our eternities.  GOD’s acts of kindness throughout the Bible are countless.  GOD’s promises throughout the Bible, are complete and everlasting.  If Christ can raise a 12-year-old from the dead then He is more than able to deal with our difficult situations.  For the GOD who can raise a child from the dead also raised the crucified Christ from the dead to take away the power and the sting of sin and death.

If you’ve lost your hope today, it’s time to find a new one.  And the only one worth having is found in Jesus.  Don’t be afraid.  just have faith.

Key Point:  “True acts of kindness can resurrect life and hope.”