1. Mark 5:21– 43 (Matthew 9:18-26 & Luke 8:41-56)
Jesus raises a dead girl
and heals a sick woman

2. Overview Background and introduction Jairus’ request The woman’s need
The woman’s faith
The woman’s encounter with Jesus
Jairus’ faith challenged
Jairus’ daughter raised
So what?

4. Background and introduction
Large crowd
Two unrelated people
Their stories intertwine
The interaction between the two
One anonymous; the other identified
Once again, this miracle was verifiable
Two very different people
Both needed Jesus

5. Jairus’ request Jairus was a synagogue leader
His 12 year old daughter was sick
Jairus falls at Jesus feet
Pleads earnestly with Jesus
Peer pressure to oppose Jesus
Jairus recognises his need
Humbles himself and honour’s Jesus
Jesus is the only one who can meet it
Jesus goes with him
Important person
Lay person (not a priest) Responsible for administration of synagogue, maintenance of building, care of the scrolls containing the scriptures, teaching and arranging for visiting Rabbi’s to speak
His 12 year old daughter was sick and on the point of death
Luke tells us that she was his only daughter
Cultural significance of the 12 year old virgin
“come and put your hands on her that she may live” – The limits of Jairus’ faith
Jairus recognises that Jesus is at least a great prophet / teacher who should be honoured

6. The woman’s need Subject to bleeding for 12 years
Ceremonial uncleanness
(Leviticus 15: 19-33)
Social outcast
Suffered greatly under many doctors
Spent all that she had
Grew worse instead of better
Jairus’ daughter had brought him joy for 12 years and was at the point of death: about to be taken from him
This woman had been afflicted for 12 years
Ceremonial uncleanness would prevent her from participating in the synagogue and temple life
People would avoid her because of the ceremonial uncleanness
The doctors at the time engaged in practices that were little more than superstitious mumbo-jumbo

7. The woman’s faith When the woman heard about Jesus:
She believed that he could help
She believed that she needed some (physical) contact
This kind of thinking was not uncommon
Jesus does not criticise her lack of faith
Jesus commends her and points out that it is her faith that was important
The idea that healing could come through contact with the clothes of a prophet was common
Acts 5:15 As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by.
“Daughter, your faith has healed you” (34)

8. The woman’s encounter with Jesus
Touched Jesus cloak from behind
Immediately she was healed
Jesus immediately realised
“Who touched me?”
Jesus kept looking around
She fell at his feet, trembling with fear and told the whole truth
Jesus encourages her faith
Even without any direct word from Jesus she was healed
Jesus felt the power leave him
Daughter – nowhere else
Your faith has healed you
Go in peace – be freed

9. Jairus’ faith challenged
While Jesus was still speaking…
Why bother the teacher any more
Jesus ignored what they said
Don’t be afraid, keep on believing
Why all this commotion?
She is not dead but asleep
The people laughed / ridiculed him
They believed that while she was still alive, Jesus may be able to help but now it was too late!
KJV – laughed him to scorn

10. Jairus’ daughter raised
Sent everyone out except for:
Jairus, his wife, Peter, James and John
5 witnesses (law demands 2 or 3)
Took her by the hand
Little girl, I say to you, get up!
She immediately stood up and walked around
Don’t tell anyone
Give her something to eat
Unlike the raising of the son of the widow of Nain where there were 2 large crowds
Jesus deals with everyone as individuals
It is Jesus who speaks the words of life

11. So what? Do we see and respond to people individually?
Do we all, recognise that we need Jesus forgiveness and healing?
Do we allow peer pressure (or other pressures) rob us of a blessing?
Do we recognise the battles that others have coming to Christ and do we do what we can to help them overcome these?
Are we willing to humble ourselves and beg earnestly for the blessing?
Are we ready to reach out to the “hopeless and helpless”?
Do we believe that God can deal with their issues?
What are our “if”s? I believe Jesus could if…
Do we waste time measuring our faith instead of getting on with exercising faith?
Do we seek complete healing or just a problem solved?
Do we ever give up, believing it is “too late”?
Do we ever ridicule / laugh / disbelieve?
Do we do the things we should or do we expect God to do
everything for us?

12. Questions and comments?