RTW October 7
Two Faiths
“Daughter, your faith has made you well.”
Mark 5:34a
“Don’t be afraid, just have faith.”
Mark 5:36b
My Takeaways
Something Old
Something New
pistis. (piss tis)
- a conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it
- the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ
This woman was healed physically, but she was also healed spiritually.
pisteou. (piss to- o)
- of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul
- to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in, of the thing believed
Jarius was having crisis of belief. He already knew who Jesus was, he just needed to believe Jesus could heal his daughter
Something to Do
Have faith!
This lesson was a little bit hard for me to parcel out and understand. I listened to it at two different times today and what grabbed me most was your commentary about how Jesus showed grace with these two unplanned “interruptions.” It made me see that I need more growth in this area … And, I am reminded that understanding comes when it’s supposed to and apparently He has this on my list!
My something to do: pray for and practice giving grace when my schedule is interrupted.
Lord, let me not be so focused on my “to do list” that I missed those glorious interruptions that you have given me to display your love, your grace, your compassion, your heart.
I was challenged to be like Jesus in the account of the woman and Jarius. He didn’t get worked up or frazzled by interruptions to what he was doing. He handled things as they came and was able to heal two people. I wonder what opportunities I miss out on because I don’t embrace change and interruptions.
In the end of the story of the demon possessed man, he wanted to stay with Jesus but Jesus told him to go and tell his family and others what Jesus had done. I often want to just stay in my Jesus chair and not face the world but I need to go and tell what Jesus has done in my life.
My Takeaways: Jesus Continues to Perform all Kinds of Miracles
Something Old: Demons and Death-today I read in the power of Jesus to overcome both. How blessed I am to be a follower of Christ. I am possessed by the Holy Spirit, who indwells in me. He empowers me, with his spirit, to overcome temptation, sin, demonic activity, and, yes, even spiritual death. “The Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world” (1 John 4:4). If God is for me who could ever be against me?
Something New: I found it interesting today that Jesus did not tell the demon-possessed man to keep quiet. In fact he told him just the opposite “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” (Mark 5:19) I’m thinking the area where this man lived must have been a non Jewish area since there were pigs, something the Jews were forbidden to eat. This opened the door for non Jews to hear about Jesus and to witness first hand what he had done for this man. These people were afraid of Jesus (Mark 5:17). Jesus could now leave the area and rest assured that His name would be known, his ministry would be reaching even the Gentiles because there is no doubt that this man could not hold back his enthusiasm for what Jesus had done.
Something To Do: Thank God for his Holy Spirit that dwells in me. Tell those who haven’t yet accepted Christ who He is and what He has done for me. Be on fire for the Lord!
I just listened to David Guzik’s sermon, from enduringword.com, on Mark 5:21-43 (Thanks Wendy for the recommendation.) His words are powerful and I love the way he compares and contrasts the healing of the woman and of Jairus’ daughter. I pray that I am working toward a faith like that of the woman. No fear. Just faith. Amen.