“Encountering Jesus: Transformative Moments in the Gospel of Mark” Week 3

“Encountering Jesus: Transformative Moments in the Gospel of Mark” Week 3: “The Power of Resurrection”  Reference: Mark 5:35-43 Cross-Reference: John 11:25-26 Verses 35-36:  Teaching Point: Jesus calls for unwavering faith in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. V35 Literally interjecting Jesus' commendation on the woman with the issue of bloods miracle is a neigh-sayer.  -              Almost jeering to Jairus, your daughter is dead -              “Not that Jesus could have helped” insulting tone of “why bother the teacher” V36 “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.”  18 There is no fear in love; instead, perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. So the one who fears is not complete in love. 19 We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:18-19 CSB Verses 37-40:  Teaching Point: Jesus sees beyond the outward appearance of death and offers hope and life. V37 Jesus brings with Him only the inner three (the first names example of the inner three’s inclusion) V38 Jesus has already given the instruction not to be consumed by fear but simply BELIEVE. Now Jairus arrives to his own home only find wailing mourners.  V39 Calling out the melancholy over-dramatization of professional mourners all the while a family is reeling and lost over the apparent lose of their daughter.  -              She isn’t dead, she is sleeping. Jesus sees Hope where no one else can.  V40 They laugh (and obviously doubt) so Jesus puts them out. Those who don’t believe don’t receive the miracle.  Jesus proceeds with only the mother and father who believe for the healing, and the inner three who are learning to do the things Jesus does (step 3 of Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus, Be like Jesus and Do what Jesus does.) “Discipleship is the process of becoming who Jesus would be if he were you.” -              Dallas Willard Verses 41-43:  Teaching Point: Jesus has power over death itself and can bring life even in the face of death. V41 Talitha koum, Aramaic, the language of Jesus day. Mark intentionally specifies in Aramaic in essence to make clear this wasn’t an incantation or trick.  Jesus simply commands the little girl, “Jesus said, “Talitha koum!” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!””  V42 “Immediately the girl got up” Luke’s account provides additional insight, “Her spirit returned, and she got up at once. -Luke 8:55 CSB” -              Jesus literally spoke life where there seemed to be no life. Hope to the hopeless situation.  V43 Jesus gave strict orders not to tell (contrasted to His command to the formerly demon possessed man to ““Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.” -V19”)  Compare also: Matthew’s Gospel where we are told, ““The report of this miracle swept through the entire countryside.” -Matthew 9:26 NLT Takeaway/Applicational Points: 1. Unwavering Faith: Embrace Jesus’ command to believe and not be afraid, even when facing seemingly insurmountable obstacles. • Reflect on personal situations where faith is challenged and commit to trusting Jesus fully. 2. Seeing Beyond Appearances: Trust that Jesus sees beyond our immediate circumstances and offers hope and life where we see only despair. • Practice seeing through the lens of faith, expecting Jesus to bring His life-giving power into every situation. 3. Power Over Death: Recognize and believe in Jesus’ power to bring life in every area of death and hopelessness in our lives. • Identify areas in life that seem ‘dead’ and intentionally invite Jesus to bring His resurrection power into those areas. 4. Nurturing New Life: After experiencing Jesus’ miraculous intervention, take practical steps to nurture and care for the new life He brings. • Commit to ongoing spiritual disciplines and community support to sustain the work Jesus has begun.