Monday, July 9, 2012

Desperate Faith


2 Samuel 1:1, 17-27 — Psalm 130 — 2 Corinthians 8:7-15 — Mark 5:21-43
Desperate Faith

What’s the busiest place you’ve ever been?
          ME:   * Disneyland, Main Street, New Years Eve
                   * Jerusalem West Gate

In our Gospel text this morning, Jesus
in a crowd as he steps into the lives of the hurting.
1.   Jairus
2.   The woman

v Both of these main characters have something in common…
§  THEY HAVE A DESPERATE FAITH.
§  They have tried everything… nothing is working

v Both are spent, tired, & at their ropes end!
They are DESPERATE     

The Hemorrhaging Woman
v The woman has been a social outcast for 12 years
Ø  She bled for 12 years
Ø  She was ceremonially unclean
·        Leviticus 15:19-33

v Why were they running to Jesus?
§  Mark 3:10
Ø  Not Just Jesus:
§  Acts 5:15-16
§  Acts 19:11-12

v Not much is said of this woman, but it strikes me…
Ø  She’s making her way through the crowd
§  And she is totally unclean!
Ø  She simply touches the hem of his garment.
·        Where’s the hem of his robe?
¨     At the bottom… all the way at the ground.
§  She has lowered herself as low as she can go
§  She can only look up to see Jesus

v In the midst of the crowd: Jesus knows he’s been touched
Ø  How does he know the hem of his cloak was touched?
Ø  He’s getting bummed into by everyone
Ø  But he knows his power went out – and healed!

v Jesus asks who touched me.
Ø  The woman – afraid – speaks up.
§  Jesus responds: “Daughter, your faith has made you well, Go in Peace. Your suffering is over.”        

Jairus’ daughter
v Jairus is watching his daughter die.
v He hears of Jesus and runs to him
§  He pleads with him to come and save his daughter
§  Vs 22-23 “He fell @ Jesus’ feet and begged him repeatedly: “come and lay your hands on her so she may be made well and live!”
v Before Jesus gets to their house, the girl has died.
§  Vs 39 “The child is not dead, but sleeping.”
§  They all “laugh” at him.
v He goes inside, takes her by the hand and says:
Ø  “Little girl, get up!”
§  Immediately the girl got up and began to walk about.
Jesus
v Jesus is not afraid of our imperfections.
Ø  The Women is “hemorrhaging” for 12 yrs
Ø  The girl is dead
§  Both are Ceremonial Unclean
§  But Jesus doesn’t care!
·        The women – Leviticus 15:19-33
·        The girl – Numbers 19:11-13
§  Jesus Embraces both.
§  Jesus reaches out with a touch of compassion
§  Jesus heals the “socially impossible”

v When have you been desperate?
§  A Migraine, Cancer, a Test, a court case, the birth of a child

Jesus says in John 14:12-13  “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.

Question
v Today: Are you Desperate for Jesus?
Ø  This morning: are you running to him for his healing?
Ø  Right now: Are you fighting your way through the crowd to touch him?

v Are you desperate for the healing of a loved one?
v Are you desperate for your own healing?

Jesus says in Luke 1:37 “For with God nothing is impossible

Jesus says in Luke 18:27: “The things which are impossible with men – are possible with God.”

Jesus says in Matthew 11:28  “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 

Jesus says in John 14:12-13  “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. 13 You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.


Pray
This morning, let’s pray the prayer of faith!
Come to the alter for prayer.


Benediction: Ephesians 3:14-21
As you Go, in the midst of despair, may you have a desperate faith for the “one who cares.”
May you always Run to HIM. Go and Love!

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