Desperate Times Call for a Compassionate Savior ....

Mark 5:21-43 tells the story of two very different people with opposite life trajectories. One was a man named Jairus, an influential (and most likely wealthy) synagogue ruler whose daughter was critically ill and desperately needed healing. The other was a woman who had been continually bleeding for twelve years. Because of this, she was unable to be purified from her uncleanness as required under Levitical law (Leviticus 15:19-25). Sadly, this resulted in her being completely isolated from society (including her family) as she could not worship, work or associate with others. Barring a miracle, she had no hope. Although these two stories feature two very different people with different life circumstances, they also present one common theme: Both discovered that Desperate Times Call for a Compassionate Savior. For this writing, we will primarily focus on the woman who had suffered with bleeding for twelve years. 

In Mark 5:21-24, we read that, while Jesus was journeying to Jairus’ house to heal his sick daughter, a large crowd pressed in on Him. While this was occurring, the aforementioned woman came up to Him from behind and touched His garment (Mark 5:27). Why? Because, after hearing about Jesus’ miracles, she reasoned that she would be healed by simply doing so (Mark 5:28). Following this, two things immediately happened: 1) Her bleeding stopped (Mark 5:29) and 2) Jesus felt His power leave His body (Mark 5:30). Mark 5:30 records it this way: “And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my garments?’” At this time, this formerly suffering, but now healed woman. came forward in fear and trembling and told Jesus everything (Mark 5:33). In response, Jesus said to her: “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease” (Mark 5:34).

Obviously, within this story, we see a miraculous physical healing. However, we must not overlook the more important spiritual healing this woman also received. We know this spiritual healing took place because Jesus both took the time to locate her within the large crowd and, after doing so, called her “daughter” (Mark 5:30-34) as she received God’s power and peace. Jesus did not simply want to fix this woman’s problems; He wanted a relationship with her. And, just as Jesus did for this desperate woman, He does the same for us today. Jesus is not content to simply solve your life’s problems; He wants a personal encounter and ongoing relationship with you. You may feel isolated from others or even ashamed of your life. Perhaps you have tried everything you know to solve your life’s difficulties and nothing has worked. If this describes you, there is great hope. Jesus, like He did for this suffering woman, is seeking you! Will you trust him as Lord and Savior today?

Now, for those of us who presently (or will in the future) follow Christ, we must acknowledge that we are not always delivered from our present troubles during our earthly life as this bleeding woman was. Perhaps you have a physical or neurological condition that severely impacts your life. Or, maybe you have experienced lifelong financial hardships that never let up or have rebellious children who show no interest in God despite your persistent prayers.  These and many other probems may seem so dark and overbearing that you just feel like giving up hope. So, what is the purpose in continuing forward in faith when deliverance in this life may not occur? The purpose is this: When you are facing impossible and desperate circumstances, whether God chooses to change them or not, Jesus calls you to persistent trust in His character, His goodness and in His sovereign purposes. Christian, we must understand that faith does not guarantee the outcome we want; rather, faith trusts the person we need. And, when we trust Christ regardless of the results, we will experience the full richness of an ongoing and ever deepening relationship with our compassionate Savior!

To listen to this entire sermon, click here. 

To watch this entire sermon, click on the YouTube video below: