And They Ridiculed Him

Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly. When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.”
And they ridiculed Him.
-- Mark 5:38-40

The sincerity of the mourners fell apart with one reaction to a man they did not know. Sure, His statement was unusual, even extraordinary, but for ridicule to come so quickly shows a lack of engagement with the mourning. They were in it for the money, a show of mourning that did not touch their hearts. They were hired noise. And along comes Jesus answering a plea for help. And they ridiculed Him. Is it any wonder that the next time He comes will be in His full glory?

Love and joy to you in Christ our Lord,

Bucky

But Death Does Trouble Him

While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” John 5:35

Through several incidents such as this one, and that most famous one, Lazarus, Jesus served notice to all of us that death is not so final as we might think. Someone left watching over the young girl in Jairus' house, came to tell him not to trouble the Teacher further. But death does trouble our Teacher, and He was not willing to just stop and toss the girl's life away. Two powerful words of our Lord come from this, "Do not be afraid" and "only believe". The woman with the issue of blood had believed. Jairus had believed. That thing we greatly fear, death, was not the end of belief in Jesus. The command of our Lord still holds true for each of us.

When the time of dying comes: do not be afraid, only believe!

Bucky

Who Touched Me?

Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” Mark 5:29-30

As His disciples will quickly point out, Jesus was in a crowd. How could anyone know which touch among so many? And yet, Jesus had felt the touch of faith and the rush of God's power going out of Him. Could Jesus have just gone on to Jairus' house? Sure, but more healing was needed. As a part of this healing it was essential that this woman come forward.

As a 'bloody' woman for twelve years, she knew well by this time how to slip in and out of towns and crowds, being as little noticed as possible. To be noticed would be to have someone shout, "Unclean!" at the top of their lungs. Humiliation was always at her door looking to get in. So she slipped through the crowd and touched Jesus' garments in faith. But so much for her stealthy plans. Instead of the usual shout, Jesus stops to make a big deal out of it. Ah, but she needed those words, His words.

And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” (v34)

Go in peace, my beloved!

Bucky

Chronic And Acute

Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. Mark 5:25-26

Twelve years brings out the sympathy from us, especially for a problem so serious. This woman's problem was chronic in nature, meaning it was long-lasting, persistent, and frequently recurring. But in the same crowd was an acute problem with Jairus, who wanted help for his daughter who was dying right that moment. Right now, as we would say, meaning suddenly coming on with severity, and usually short in nature. Then, the woman reaches out to touch the robe of Jesus. And almost as soon as Jesus lets her know it is alright with Him, the servants of Jairus tell of the acute condition passing. As in, passed away, the daughter along with the problem. Well, that wasn't the resolution we wanted to hear from short and severe! But this is Jesus the man came to, and He will not leave it like that.

Praise God for the miracles available to both chronic and acute suffering,

Bucky

A Refused Opportunity

Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine. Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.  Mark 5:15-17

When the time of judgment comes for us, we do not want to be among those who saw Jesus, knew of His work, and responded with a 'go away!'. The evidence sits before them clothed and now in his right mind. They knew well the man's former condition. Jesus brings healing and release of the captives. Their response is to plead with Jesus to depart. Was this for the loss of their pigs? Perhaps it was from all that was new too suddenly? They had their large herd of pigs and their demoniac. Then suddenly they didn't. And Jesus stood there asking for just a little faith in what was new to them. They got together and refused Him. 

Pray that those who refuse Jesus once will get another chance to believe.

Bucky

Knowing Who To Go To

...a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. Mark 5:2-5

As we read in our scripture today, an unclean spirit is no joke. This thing is mean to the man. We can take a peek ahead in the story and see that it is not just one unclean spirit. So between the spirits the man is forced to cut himself with stones, live among tombs, travel between mountains and tombs, cry out, and break apart shackles and chains. The last might sound like a benefit, but human bones, ligaments, tendons and skin do not do well against iron. And though the mean spirits may have lent a bit of strength, they probably didn't help with the cutting, tearing, and possibly breaking of bones that went on with breaking up the iron. The man was a mess, but he knew who to go to for help.

May we always see Jesus as our first help,

Bucky

Immediate Meeting

Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. Mark 5:1-2

Jesus hardly has time for a deep breath after another trip across the sea before He is met by the enemy. But, the enemy has a prisoner. For combat, we were trained to kill the enemy if met upon our landings. Training to go in guns blazing back in the day would not have prepared us for the enemy holding our beloved hostage on the beach. It presents a problem where simply blowing the enemy away does not work. What will Jesus do? This introduction begins the famous tale of Jesus and a gang of evil thugs going by the name of Legion. The difficulty comes from this gang inhabiting one of our Lord's beloved humans. As there is much to be analyzed and said about this meeting, I will not pile it all on you today.

Rejoice in the Lord and pray for one another,

Bucky