Reak Mark 5:21-43
This morning we continue our series entitled, “The Year of Supernatural Manifestation”, with our mini-series on “The Miracles of Jesus”. For the past couple of messages we have been looking at the story of Jairus and his daughter. We will close the story out today.
When we left off Jairus was struggling with the news that his daughter was dead. He had left his home looking for the miracle worker, Jesus. He found Jesus, he made his petition in faith, he got Jesus to agree to go with him to his home, they were on their way, but they were too late. Before they made it to the house, his daughter died. The only question that remained was: would his faith die as well? Jesus still had the power, but did Jairus still have the faith? At this juncture in the story Jesus looked at Jairus and said, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” Thankfully, Jairus heeded Jesus’ plea. Jairus continued to believe God, even though his daughter was now physically dead and the team continued on towards his home. This is where we closed out yesterday and we will pick it up from here today.
Since the situation was clearly grave, Jesus forbid the crowd and 9 of the 12 disciples from going any further. Jesus knew He was going into a hostile situation, both in the natural and in the spirit, so He chose to proceed only with his inner circle (Peter, James and John) and Jairus. When they arrived at the synagogue leader’s house, they encountered a group of people who were already mourning. They were crying loudly and uncontrollably. There was a lot of confusion. Jesus entered the home and said, “Why are you people crying and making so much noise? This child is not dead. She is only sleeping.” The people laughed at Jesus. So Jesus told them to leave.
After clearing the crowd and clearing the home, Jesus went into the room where the child was. He brought the child’s mother and father, and His inner circle with Him. Jesus could have simply spoken healing and the girl would have been brought back to life, but remember, in Jairus’ plea of faith he specially asked Jesus to lay hands on his daughter. So Jesus touched the girl’s hand and said to her, “Talitha, koumi!” Which means, “Little girl, I tell you to stand up!” The girl immediately stood up and began walking. (She was 12 years old.) Jairus, his wife, and Jesus’ inner circle were all amazed. Soon the people outside were amazed as well. The girl was dead, but now she was alive!
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. When the pressure is on, you must surround yourself with people of like-precious-faith. Once Jesus knew Jairus’ daughter had died, he forbid the crowd and 9 of His 12 disciples from going any further. When Jesus walked into Jairus’ home, He wanted to be surrounded with people He could count on.
a) Not everyone who is with you is for you!
b) If you enter a faith-fight with the wrong people around you, they could lead you to a faith-failure.
c) When the pressure is on, you want people around you that are going to believe God with you, and build you up, not tear you down.
d) Be careful not to allow dream-killers into your inner circle.
2. Fear is an incapacitating force. When Jairus found out that his daughter was dead, fear flooded his body. He did not know what to do or say. He almost told Jesus to leave. Thankfully, Jesus stopped Jairus and re-ignited his faith before he said anything negative.
a) Words of faith engage and activate the Kingdom of God. Words of fear engage and activate the kingdom of darkness. Which kingdom will your words engage and activate today?
b) You can pray words of faith in the morning, but if you speak words of fear, doubt and unbelief all day, then you should not expect an answer to your prayers. Your fear is cancelling out your faith.
3. It’s never too late for God.
a) Jesus arrived at Jairus’ home after the little girl stopped breathing. Jesus was not moved by the fact that the little girl’s body was dead. Jesus was only moved by fact that Jairus’ faith was alive!
b) Living faith can overcome dead situations. There is nothing God cannot do.
c) One Word from God can turn any seemingly dead situation around!
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. I have learned a great deal about Your amazing grace. I am now learning a great deal about the faith You require of me. You freely offer Your limitless power by grace. I must now access Your grace with my faith. I walk and live by faith. I surround myself with people of like-precious-faith. When the pressure is on, I thank You for giving me a close circle of friends who can believe WITH ME! You are not moved when my situation seems dead. You are only moved by the fact that my faith is still alive! So, no matter how bad things get, I refuse to throw in the towel, give up, cave in, or quit. I keep my faith-switch in the “ON” position! As I do, Your power will be released in my life this year like never before! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name, amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and prosper!
