Three Interesting People
Today we
meet three interesting people in Jesus’ life: the demoniac, Jairus, and the
woman with the flow of blood. I’m going
to handle these people in the order that they come to us in the story.
The Demoniac
When we
look at the demoniac, we can note that the result of the demonic possession is
that the man lost everything. He was
unable to keep himself under control – he cut himself with stones among other
things. He is utterly controlled by the
demons. Furthermore, his community has
abandoned him. His family is no longer
involved in his life. The message is
harsh and clear. If we follow the ways
of Satan and his minions, we will eventually lose everything. If you don’t believe me, read 1 Peter 5:8-9. There we are reminded that Satan roams the
earth like a roaring lion seeking anyone to devour. Satan does not wish to simply tempt us into
sin – he wishes to devour our lives and destroy us.
We can
also see what society can do in response to the power of Satan. Simply put, society is unable to help the
demoniac. They tried to exert control by
binding him, but he was able to break free of any bonds that society placed
upon him. Society is truly powerless
against the will of the ruler of this age.
All society can do is to isolate those under the influence of Satan from
itself. Through the idea of isolation
they believe that what they cannot control cannot hurt them – as if any human
society can isolate itself from the power of sin and the Devil!
Although
this comment is a bit out of order, let’s look at how society responds to
Jesus. Society shows its desire to
isolate itself from Jesus. Society really
does want no part of what it cannot control.
Just like when society shunned the demoniac because they could not
control him, so society shuns Jesus. They
ask Jesus to leave!
How does
Jesus respond to the demoniac?
- First, remember that the last story in Mark 4 is about Jesus intentionally putting His disciples in the line of danger (the storm). Jesus looks upon this demoniac as someone worth going out into the storm of life to meet. Jesus puts His own disciples in danger so that this man can find the help he needs. Remember what I said yesterday about those who believe that Jesus calls us to a life of safety? Jesus calls us to go with Him into the tumult of the world to meet people who need Him. Ha!
- Second, notice that Jesus speaks to both the man and the demonic possessors. Jesus gets them to confess their identity and agenda. Notice that the demons do confess Jesus as the Son of the Most High God! Yet, the demons lack the humbleness that makes such a confession legitimate. Once Jesus has heard their hollow confession – Jesus casts out the demons and brings the demoniac into a new life. Indeed, this man was worth crossing over the tumultuous sea on the prior night!
Contrasting Jairus and the Woman
As we look
at Jairus and the woman, let me throw up a few contrasts.
- First, there is a gender contrast. Clearly Jesus has no issue doing ministry with men and women alike.
- Second, notice that Jairus is well known while the woman remains anonymous. Clearly Jesus came to help anyone of any reputation who desires to come to Him for salvation.
- Third, notice that Jairus was about to lose his daughter – who gave him joy for the past 12 years – while the woman had gained 12 years of suffering with the flow of blood. Clearly Jesus respects the things that bring joy and glory to God as well as has compassion on the things that bring pain and hinder our praise of God.
Finally,
note that Jairus was a synagogue leader (and likely wealthy) while the woman
was broke after having spent everything she owned on false medical cures. Jesus does not care about our physical assets
– only our spiritual willingness to be humble.
Amidst
these contrasts, notice that there is one similarity. Neither Jairus nor the anonymous woman can
find the answer to their problem in the world.
The one thing that brings them together is also the one thing that
enables their encounter with Jesus to be meaningful.
The Woman
As we look
at the woman, notice that she is both bold and humble at the same time. She is bold in that she comes to Jesus and
touches his cloak. She is humble in that
she doesn’t even require a moment of His time.
She is faithful because she knows that Jesus can heal her without having
to dwell upon her.
And then
there is Jesus’ interaction with the woman.
There is one very clear lesson here.
Jesus knows that when the woman touched Him that something left Him. In other words, ministry always costs us
something. It costs us time. It costs us energy. It costs us resources. It costs us concern and worry. Ministry is never cheap or quick. Ministry is costly – just like grace.
Jairus
Now we
turn to Jairus and his encounter with Jesus.
Here is a man who took risks. We
already know that the Sanhedrin had warned the synagogue leaders to be on the
lookout for Jesus, and here is a synagogue leader coming to Jesus and inviting
Him into his life! He may well be
trading in his status as synagogue leader for this simple exchange with
Jesus. Talk about ministry costing
people things! This makes Jesus’
response to Jairus even more poignant.
Jesus tells Jairus, “Do not fear.”
Jesus is telling him to not fear the report of his daughter’s
death. Jesus is telling him not to fear
what he may have traded in for this encounter with Jesus. Jesus is telling Him that with God,
everything will be just fine. Jesus is
telling him to not fear, but rather to rest in God’s hands.
Summary
So what do
we learn today? I think we learn three
big things.
- First, society will push us away when we follow Christ. Society isolates itself from the things that they cannot control.
- Second, the followers of Christ are both humble and bold. The demoniac is bold in asking Jesus to stay with him and he has to be even bolder when Jesus tells him that he will serve God better by remaining in the town and being Christ’s ambassador to the Gerasenes. The woman is bold on so many humble levels in her action and faith. Jairus is bold in the risks that he is willing to take for a chance meeting with Jesus.
- Third, we learn much about the Christ. Jesus puts His disciples in the line of danger in order to have meaningful encounters with people who need to meet Him. Jesus knows that ministry is costly. Jesus is willing to accept anyone who comes to Him. Jesus conquers fear. Jesus points to God.
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