Thus discouragements, properly sustained and carefully improved, become our most fruitful sources of eventual encouragement….

Charles Bridges
The Christian Ministry
p. 17

Sometimes the “eventual” part of this seems as if it will never arrive, however it is usually a lot closer than we think.  Maybe not in terms of an actual change in our situation, but certainly in terms of a sanctifying effect on our attitude.

Usually I try and keep the book reviews that I do on this blog limited to newer books, or books that a lot of people have not already written on.  However, today I am breaking the rules.  Today I want to take a look at The Word of God in English by Leland Ryken.  I want to do this for a couple of reasons.  First, I have the review on file. Second, I think  it is important that we all re-think our views on English Bible translations.  It is so easy to get caught up in the marketing tactics that publishers use to try and get us to by the version that they print (by the way I don’t blame them, they are trying to run a business).  We need take a step back and think critically about what English Bible we are using.  Ryken, although I don’t think he gets everything right, helps us to critically think through this issue.

Leland Ryken’s purpose for writing The Word of God in English is straight forward.  The very first line of the preface states that “this book has as its purpose to define the translation principles that make for the best English bible translation.” (9)  Ryken articulates these principles in part by evaluating the plethora of English bible translations currently available.  From the beginning he makes it clear that in his opinion “only an essentially literal translation of the bible can achieve sufficiently high standards in terms of literary criteria and fidelity to the original text.” (10)  This statement contains the two primary criteria that Ryken looks at when evaluating English translations: literary excellence and fidelity to the original text.

The primary impetus for this book was “a seismic shift in translation theory and practice [which] occurred in the middles of the twentieth century.  Up to that point, most English bible translations had operated on the premise that the task… was to reproduce the words of the original in the words of the receptor language.” (13)  This all changed with “Eugene Nida, who championed his theory of ‘dynamic equivalence.’” (13)  This new theory was quite a bit different than the former emphasis of accuracy to the original text.  Ryken defines it as “a theory of translation based on the premise that whenever something in the native-language text is foreign or unclear to a contemporary reader, the original text should be translated in terms of a dynamic equivalent.” (18)

As Ryken shows at length, the transition that occurred moving toward a dynamic equivalence approach to English Bible translation has created quite a few problems.  As Ryken states, the chief problem with dynamic equivalent Bibles is that “they arrogate to translation something that should be left to interpretation and commentary.” (26)  Or, to put it another way, they often interpret the original text for the reader instead of conveying it for the reader to interpret.

The thoroughness and straightforwardness of this book make it an important contribution to the field of English Bible translation.  With rare exception Ryken thoroughly defines his terms, makes his argumentation clear, uses a vast number of vivid illustrations, and consistently provides specific examples.  Additionally, he is straightforward and pointed in his criticism of specific bible translations and the entire dynamic equivalence theory.  In chapter seven Ryken makes it clear that how one translates the original text is ultimately and ethical issue.  “A translation is not exempt from ordinary ethics of publishing, with its cornerstone of putting before the reader what an author wrote as accurately as possible.  It hardly needs to be added that this ethical claim has unique weight when the author in question is God.” (137)

One weakness in this book is Ryken’s tendency to emphasize literary excellence over fidelity to the original text.  This does not necessarily mean that Ryken values one over the other, however there are times in the book when he certainly emphasizes one over the other.  For instance, in chapter 17 Ryken speaks quite a bit about “tone” and “memorability.”  His point is that most modern day translations are lacking in both and for this reason “have given us a Bible that is less exalted than the original.” (270)  The problem with this is twofold.  First, Ryken compares the modern day bibles to the King James Version rather than the original.  He simply does not deal with the “tone” or “memorability” of the original.  Secondly, tone and memorability are subjective criteria for evaluating translations.  These are minor points that demonstrate a minor flaw in an excellent book.Leland Ryken. 

Bibliographical Information:

The Word of God in English: criteria for excellence in bible translation.  Wheaton, IL: Crossway Books, 2002.  336 pp.

Loving God is being so satisfied in God and so delighted in all that he is for us that his commandments cease to be burdensome.

John Piper, The Legacy of Sovereign Joy, 58.

21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 h Then came one of i the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and j lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him.

And a great crowd followed him and k thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman l who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 m And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her n disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that o power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, p your faith has made you well; p go in peace, and be healed of your n disease.”

35 While he was still speaking, there came from q the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why r trouble s the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing [5] what they said, Jesus said to q the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except t Peter and James and u John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus [6] saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, v “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but w sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he x 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. 41 y Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, z arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And a he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

II. Jesus’ power over death. (vv. 35-43)

The first aspect of Jesus’ power that we see in this passage is Jesus’ power over sickness.  The second aspect that we see is Jesus’ power over death.

To see this point we need to jump back into the story.  While all of this was going on with the woman Jairus was just standing there waiting for Jesus to get to his daughter.  He knew that her condition was worsening, and that things had already reached a critical point.  Then came the news that no father wants to hear…

…word came from Jairus’ house that it was too late.  The girl was dead.  V. 35 says, “While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”

Can you imagine poor Jairus as he heard this news?  Additionally, the messengers (probably family members) were not very tactful in relaying the message.  They literally told him to stop hassling the teacher.  The probably viewed what he was doing as an embarrassment, and they may have even been upset that Jairus was gone for his daughters last moment.  In short, they didn’t see the point in bothering Jesus anymore.  Sure, he could heal a woman.  But there was no way that He could raise someone from the dead.  Or was there?  These thoughts had to be running through Jairus’ mind when Jesus spoke up and addressed the situation in verse 36.

v. 36 tells us that Jesus heard the report, but he paid no attention to it.  The word here could mean “overhearing” or “ignoring.” Either way it is clear that Jesus did both.  He paid no attention to the messengers.  Instead He immediately addressed the fear the Jairus was dealing with.  And he provided him with the solution to this fear: faith.

It is not easy to drive out fear.  The only way to do so is by putting your faith in the power of God.  This principle was true for Jairus, and it is true for us today.  Jesus knew that Jairus was afraid, and He knew that faith was the only solution.  This is why He commanded Jairus to replace his fear with faith.  Jesus had allowed Jairus to see a glimpse of His power when He healed the woman, and now He was calling for Jairus to put his faith in that power.  Do you see how Jesus was stretching and growing the faith of Jairus through these circumstances?  Jesus was using His power to help Jairus’ faith, and He does same thing with us today.

In v. 37, after addressing Jairus’ fear, Jesus just kept moving forward with the plan to heal this girl as if nothing had happened. The only difference now was that as he got closer to the house he got rid of the crowds.  With the exception of a few key witnesses Jesus would not allow anyone to follow.

-          It would have created a scene/frenzy

-          It would have been insensitive to bring that crowd into a grieving household

-          These three were Jesus’ inner circle, and they would be tasked with recounting this story after Jesus’ resurrection—which is exactly what happened with Peter.

When Jesus arrived at Jarius’ house in v. 38 He saw a scene that would have been common.  Along with the grieving family there were professional mourners.  Matthew tells us that there were even flute players there making a commotion (Matt. 9:23).  The flute player would hit every sour note possible, and if you have ever been to a beginners flute class you know how horrible that sounds.

When Jesus arrived he was not all that found of it either.  In v. 39 Jesus rebuked these mourners because He knew that this girl’s death was not final.  As one author put it, “Real death is separation of the soul from God, not the body from the soul.  In this sense, her dead body was asleep, and Jesus would bring it back.”[1] In other words, she was not dead in the ordinary sense of the word and Jesus knew it.  Now we cannot blame the people for not knowing what Jesus knew.  However, in v. 40 we see that they certainly did not believe Jesus when He tried to explain it to them.  In fact, they were not even solemnly mourning.  People mourning the death of a little girl don’t laugh.  This is part of the readon Jesus kicked them out of the house.  This left only the girls parents, Jesus, and the three disciples with the girl.

What follows in vv. 41-43 is so vivid that it clearly comes directly from Peter who was there.  He even remembers the exact Aramaic phrase Jesus used.  Jesus clearly demonstrated His power and there were two results:

1. The girl was raised to life.  She walked around and even needed food.  Here we see evidence of Jesus’ power over death.
2. The people were amazed.  Jesus allowed them to see the power of Jesus.  He could have healed this girl before she died, or even from a distance.  But he allowed all of this to happen so that they would see His true power.  (However, He was still trying to prevent a frenzied response from those who did not care about His message.)  In this we see why Jesus His power the way that He did.

Commenting on this verse on commentator remarked, “His power cannot be fathomed; nor his compassion measured.”[2] This is the kind of Lord that I want to follow.  Jesus is God. He is all powerful and benevolent.  He is the one who created life in the very beginning, and He is the one who has power over it now.  He even has complete power over death. This means that He is powerful enough to resurrect those who have died physically, but even more importantly it means that He has the power to resurrect those who have died spiritually.  EPHESIAN 2:1-10 explains this for us:

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Conclusion:

In this passage Mark makes it clear that Jesus has power over human frailty.  He has power over sickness, and he has power over death.  Some might ask why he doesn’t use it to heal more people.  Why do some get sick and some die?  But it is clear in this passage that Jesus uses His power for the spiritual good of His people.

-          Remember, God uses trials. James 1.

-          ILL: Terminal Illness points someone back to Jesus (i.e. Job)

-          Think about the people in this story.  If the woman had not been sick she would have never known Jesus.  If the girl had not died then Jairus would not have grown in his faith, and been “amazed” at Jesus.

So as we debate national healthcare, and try to process all the tragedies of human frailty we must always remember that Jesus has power over sickness, and over death.  And He benevolently uses that power for the spiritual good of His people.

[2] Hendricksen, 215.

Here we are reminded that no matter who you are human frailty will affect your life, and you will need the power of Jesus. In this passage we see two aspects of Jesus’ power over human frailty:

1. 1. Jesus’ power over sickness. (vv. 21-34)
2. 2. Jesus’ power over death.  (vv. 35-43)

21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 h Then came one of i the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and j lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him.

And a great crowd followed him and k thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman l who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 m And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her n disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that o power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, p your faith has made you well; p go in peace, and be healed of your n disease.”

35 While he was still speaking, there came from q the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why r trouble s the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing [5] what they said, Jesus said to q the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except t Peter and James and u John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus [6] saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, v “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but w sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he x 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. 41 y Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, z arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And a he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

I. Jesus’ power over sickness. (vv. 21-34)

The first aspect of Jesus power that we see in this passage is Jesus’ power over sickness.  We see this aspect in vv. 21-34.

In verse 21 we see that Jesus and His disciples were returning from a short stay on the other side of the Sea of Galilee (vv. 16-18).  Mark does not tell us exactly where this took place, but there is little doubt that they were returning to their home base of Capernaum.

When they did arrive back home the response of the people in Galilee was very different from the people on the other side of the Sea of Galilee.  The Gentiles on the other side of the sea had literally kicked Jesus out of the region.  However in Galilee the level of excitement over Jesus was still very high. When word got out that Jesus was back it did not take very long for a massive crowd to assemble around Jesus.

You need to understand that this was not the orderly “everyone standing in a single file line” kind of crowd that we might be used to This crowd created the same kind of chaotic, frenzied, and dangerous situation that caused Jesus to use a boat for a pulpit (4:1), and to leave the region (4:35).  The entire crowd was clamoring to get close to Jesus.    However, in v. 22 Mark tells us that something caused this crowd to quiet down, “Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet…”

This man coming to Jesus was a prominent man.  This is evidenced by the fact that he was able to navigate the crowd and get to Jesus.  But also, because Mark tells us that he was “one of the rulers of the synagogue.”  This particular title means that he was not a priest or a professional Pharisee.  This was a lay position. ILL: Chairman of the Elder Board.  This meant that he was a very well respected man in the community; that is why everyone knew that his name was Jairus

Despite this man’s respected status Mark tells us that Jairus came and fell at Jesus’ feet!  We might not get how unbelievable this is, but in an honor society this was unheard of.  In fact that people in the crowd were probably embarrassed for Jairus.  ILL: Bad Singer.  But we see why Jairus did this unthinkable thing in v. 23.

There we see that Jairus “implored him earnestly, saying, “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.” Here we see why Jairus was acting this way.  He was desperate.   Literally the phrase used here could mean that this girl was “at death’s door.”[1] Luke adds to the desperation of Jairus when he points out that this was his only daughter (Lk 8:42).

Ultimately Jairus’ daughter was sick, and he was willing to humiliate himself if that was what it took to save her.  This is not all that surprising.  However, what is surprising about this plea is that Jairus recognized the power of Jesus.  Jairus was a part of the official religious group that was persecuting Jesus.  Jesus had been in his synagogue causing a commotion, and teaching controversial message.  Plus, Jairus was the ruler of the synagogue not Jesus.  Yet, when he was in his deepest hour of need he turned to Jesus.

This act on the part of Jairus should not be taken as an act of complete faith in the person of Jesus.  He was simply desperate.  However, Jairus did recognize that Jesus has power over human sickness.  As the story unfolds we will see that Jesus will take this little measure of “unsaving faith” in Jesus’ physical healings and grow it into something far more profitable.  Verse 24 shows us how Jesus began to do this, “And he went with him. And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him.”  Jesus’ response to Jairus is quite remarkable.  He simply goes with Jairus.  However, Jesus was not the only one to go with Jairus.  The entire crowd went as well!

Can you imagine how frustrating this must have been for Jairus?  Jesus has agreed to come heal your dying daughter, and all these people are just slowing him down.  And then, all of a sudden, things come to a complete standstill in v. 25.

v. 25-26 – In this midst of this crowd was a woman in great need.  We do not know a lot about this woman, she certainly was not as well known as Jairus.  But Mark does tell us some key details about this woman:

-she had a discharge of blood. This was not only a trying medical condition, but it also made her ceremonially unclean (Lev. 15:25-27).  We don’t know this specifically about this woman, but many times this condition would lead to the husband leaving the wife because she could not produce children. This condition would have prevented her from normal social relationship. She was not even technically supposed to be in this crowd of people.

-she had this condition for twelve years.

-she suffered much under many physicians. She had been to many doctors seeking a cure, but none had been able solve her problem.  From a human standpoint her condition was incurable.

-she spent all of her money trying to find a cure. Medical care was no less expensive in the ancient world, and all the doctors and treatments that she had tried cost her all that she had.

-her condition was worsening. Not only was she not getting better, she was getting worse.

Mark’s vivid description of this woman highlights the point that from a human perspective this woman’s situation was hopeless.  The frailty of human life had taken everything from her, and she was at the end of her rope. But there was one more option…

vv. 27-28 – She had heard of Jesus, and she thought that if she could just touch His garment she might be healed.  This woman, just like Jairus, recognized Jesus’ power over sickness.  This is why she snuck through the crowd and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment.  She, like Jairus, had a small measure of faith that Jesus would take and grow, and he did this first by healing her.

In verse 29 Mark tells us that as soon as this woman touched Jesus she was healed.  Rather than Jesus becoming unclean from this woman, this woman was made clean by Jesus.  This reveals that He clearly has power over even the most serious of human sickness.  He was able to immediately heal her, and she immediately felt the effects of that healing.  After all that she had been through, she finally had relief and Jesus knew it.

In v. 30 Mark tells us that Jesus felt the power going out from him, and asked who had touched him.  This question seems strange to me.  There were a lot of people crowding around to touch him.  In fact, the disciples were puzzled by this as well.  In v. 31 “his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ”

In other words, there are lots of people touching you!  But Jesus knew that there was one person in particular that he needed to address. This is why he asked the question, and why he continued looking for that person in v. 32.  He was not ignorant of what was going on.  Jesus knew that this person had genuine faith that needed to grow.  He wanted give this woman something more than just physical healing.  He wanted to give her further blessing by providing the opportunity to have personal communion with Him.  You might say that Jesus was drawing this woman to himself by seeking her out.  He wanted her faith to grow, and for her to have the opportunity to praise Him.

While Jesus was looking for whoever it was that had touched him, this woman was the only one in the crowd who had any idea what was going on.  She knew that she was the one that Jesus was looking for, and it is interesting how she reacted in v. 33.

She reacted with “fear and trembling.”  She is probably afraid because she felt like she was healed without permission, and she is a woman, and she would have to make her unclean status known publicly.  She was afraid, but there was something that outweighed he her.  It was Jesus.  What we see here is that Jesus used his power to help this woman change her focus from the healing to the Healer!  The result was that this woman fell down before Jesus and told him everything!  Jesus gave this woman the opportunity to live out Psalm 50:15:

and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

In v. 34 Jesus responds to the woman and reveals that not only is He all powerful, but He is also benevolent.  He is loving, and involved in our everyday lives.  He affectionately calls her daughter.  He also commends her faith.  He says that was her faith that made her well.  This is interesting because the word here literally means “saved.” Jesus may have used this word because the woman had been saved from her physical condition.  But I don’t think that it is a stretch to say that Jesus has more in mind here that just physical healing.  By drawing this woman to Himself, and interacting with her in this way, Jesus was going beyond the physical realm to benefit this woman spiritually. In fact, even if it is not clear in this passage, the rest of the bible makes it clear that Jesus is more interested in our spiritual well-being than our physical well-being.

So, Jesus had the power to heal this woman physically, and He used that power to help her faith to grow. This miracle should do the same thing for our lives.  It should cause our faith and love for Christ to grow.

After a brief hiatus we are back in business effective immediately.  So grab your coffee and a bible and lets jump back into the Gospel of Mark

Intro:

The topic of healthcare is dominating the headlines right now.  You can’t turn on a TV, a radio, or read the newspaper without healthcare coming up.  I certainly do not want to take up this topic.  However, the current national debate over healthcare is another reminder that we as human beings are by nature frail.  Sickness, disease, and even death are all everyday occurrences in our world.  We are all affected by it!

In the midst of all this frailty it can sometimes feel like God is really far away.  And as we deal with human frailty in our own lives it is very easy for us to loose sight of God’s power.  We have a hard time processing human frailty.  Thankfully, the bible is not silent on this issue.  In fact, as we look at Mark 5 this morning we are jumping into the middle of a section that is all about the power of Jesus.  Specifically, in Mark 5:21-43 we will see that the power of Jesus intersects with our lives in a most personal way.  You might say that this passage is “where the rubber meets the road” with respect to the power of Jesus.  Look at what the passage say:

21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 h Then came one of i the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and j lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him.

And a great crowd followed him and k thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman l who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 m And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her n disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that o power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, p your faith has made you well; p go in peace, and be healed of your n disease.”

35 While he was still speaking, there came from q the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why r trouble s the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing [5] what they said, Jesus said to q the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except t Peter and James and u John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus [6] saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, v “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but w sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he x 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. 41 y Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, z arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And a he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Here we are reminded that no matter who you are human frailty will affect your life, and you will need the power of Jesus. In this passage we see two aspects of Jesus’ power over human frailty:

1. 1. Jesus’ power over sickness. (vv. 21-34)
2. 2. Jesus’ power over death.  (vv. 35-43)

What is so amazing about this passage is that as we look at these two aspects of Jesus’ power we are going to see that this power goes beyond what Jesus can do for us physically. In fact, what we will see is that Jesus uses this power primarily to benefit individuals spiritually.

I have been driven man times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go; my own wisdom and that of all around me seemed insufficient for the day.

Abraham Lincoln

This week I have a new article up at BPSports.net about the spiritual reminder I got from running.

Here is an excerpt:

I was sharing my frustration with a fellow runner, and he made a very helpful suggestion. He encouraged me not to focus so much on beating the clock, but instead to simply focus on steady progress. There are going to be some good runs, and some bad runs. The important thing is to just keep getting in your miles.

Read the rest HERE…

part 1
part 2
part 3

They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and bruising himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out, and entered the pigs, and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and were drowned in the sea. The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled. - Mark 5:1-20 -

Act IV: The Power of Jesus Recognized (vv. 18-20)

In the first act of this story we saw the power of Jesus required.  In act 2 we saw the power of Jesus revealed.  In act three we saw the power of Jesus reviled.  Now in the final act of this story we will see the power of Jesus recognized.  Beginning in v. 18 Mark tells us that “As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him.”  Looking at this man’s reaction to Jesus, it is interesting to note that this is the third time in this passage that someone was begging Jesus to do something.  The demons begged not to be destroyed, the people begged Jesus to leave the area, and now someone is finally begging Jesus for the right things.  This is begging to simply be with Jesus.  What a contrast with the response of the other individuals.  It is clear that this man recognized the power of Jesus that changed his life.  This is why he wanted to be with Jesus.  I don’t think that it is stretch to say that this should be the reaction that we should all have to Jesus.

Since this was such an appropriate response it is a bit surprising in v. 19 when Jesus denies the man’s request.  Mark says that Jesus “did not permit him but said to him, ‘Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’”  This just seems strange.  Of the three requests made in this passage why was this one the only one denied?  Well, suffice it to say that Jesus had a plan.  You see even though the people had asked Jesus to leave the area, Jesus still had compassion on these people.  He wanted to leave this area with a missionary.  And this is exactly what Jesus is asking this man to do.  Jesus wants him to go out and testify about the power of Jesus that changed his life.  Kent Hughes explains what is going on here with this very helpful illustration:

Some years ago an ophthalmologist, just fresh from college, commenced business. Without friends, without money, and without patrons, he became discouraged, until one day he saw a blind man. Looking into his eyes, he said, “Why don’t you have your eyesight restored? Come to my office in the morning.” The blind man went. When an operation was performed and proved successful, the patient said, “I haven’t got a penny in the world. I can’t pay you. “Oh, yes,” said the doctor, “you can pay me, and I expect you to do so. There is just one thing I want you to do, and it is very easy. Tell everybody you see that you were blind, and tell them who it was that healed you.^[1]

There is a side note here that we would do well to notice.  That is, sometimes God tells us no even when we ask for a good thing.  But as we will see in v. 20 it is always a good purpose behind God’s decisions.  In v. 20 we see that this man obeyed Jesus.  This must have been hard for him, but he did not doubt Jesus’ decision.  Mark tells us that “he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.”  This is an amazing response for a few reasons:

1. This man had a submissive response, even though he didn’t get what he wanted.  Contrast that with the response of the healed leper that disobeyed Jesus (1:44-45).  Furthermore, this kind of submission is a far cry from the behavior he exhibited earlier in the passage.
2. This man knew that Jesus was God.  Jesus tells him to go and tell all that the Lord had done for him, and Mark tells us that this man recognized that Jesus is Lord.
3. This man had a huge impact in the Decapolis (a league of 10 Gentile cities).  He reached people that may have otherwise gone unreached.  Additionally, we know that he had a lasting impact because when Jesus returned to this area the people were ready for Him (7:31-37)Isn’t it funny that the first Christian missionary to the gentiles was a former demoniac who was covered with scars all over his body?

Because this man had the right response to Jesus he was not only drastically changed by Jesus, but he was also dramatically used by Jesus.  And the same will be true of us id we properly recognize the power of Jesus.  For this to happen we must begin with humility.  James 4:6-10 puts it this way:

But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.

Conclusion:

Jesus has the power to change us.  He has the power to save us from our sin, and he has the power to use us for His kingdom purposes.  No matter how bad our situation may seem, if we will humbly submit to Jesus he can change us.  Thus, we must properly respond to the power of Jesus.  If we do this Jesus will deliver us from the power of our sins.  As Romans 6:15-18 says,

What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.

Jesus has the power to change, and we must properly recognize that power.