COV LIFE BLOG

Mark 5:21-43 – The Tenderness and Timing of Jesus

If the disciples were irritated by our Lord’s seemingly unnecessary delay, you can well imagine that Jairus was fit to be tied. He know that at any moment his daughter would be dead, and here was Jesus making mountains out of mole hills. Why could He not have simply ignored the woman in view of the present crisis?
 
Jairus’ world came crashing down with the report of his servants that his daughter had died (verse 35). I can vividly remember the morning that my wife and I awoke to discover that our first and only son had died during the night, his crib just a step away from our bed. It was so obvious that he was gone. There was no life. There was no hope. That is the way Jairus felt.
 
Knowing that every ray of hope had been swept away by this announcement, Jesus ignored these words, and spoke encouragingly to Jairus, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe” (Mark 5:36). His faith was faltering, and it was through faith that the child would be raised. Where there is life, there is hope. But with God, we must also believe that where there is death, there is hope as well.
 
Leaving the crowd with all of His disciples but the inner three, Jesus continued on to the home of the deceased daughter. Outside the home the commotion of a typical near-eastern funeral had already begun (verse 38). All of this carrying-on was unnecessary our Lord informed the mourners, for this girl was “asleep.” Death could not claim this girl, for the Prince of Life was present.
 
The actual event was both simple and sweet. With a couple of softly spoken words, our Lord took the young girl by the hand and lifted her up so that she began to walk about.
 
There is a lesson here… It is a lesson in divine delays. Perhaps we might call them unanswered prayers. Here I mean those times in our lives when we think everything around us is collapsing and yet God seems to be puttering around heaven, totally unconcerned about our trials and tragedies in life. May I suggest to you that delays may be by divine design. Our Lord deliberately tarried here, just as He did at the report of the sickness of Lazarus, so that when He did act there was no question of who should receive the credit and the glory. Surely these miracles inform us that delays are not due to our Lord’s lack of concern for us, for He is sensitive to the most insignificant needs (such as a meal). It is the purpose of God that these delays will result in greater glory for Himself, and greater faith for us. How beautifully this interrupted miracle illustrates the truth of Romans 8:28: “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.”

Bob Deffinbaugh

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SCRIPTURES FOR THIS SUNDAY
Read Mark 5:21-43. Notice the tenderness of Christ to care for both these individuals even when one of them might initially feel like his timing wasn’t good.

Where are you struggling with God’s timing? To grant relief from health concerns? Is to provide for your finances? To give victory over a particular sin?

And do you see how this passage demonstrates that maybe God is doing some better for you and your situation by waiting to act?

SONG FOR THIS WEEK
The Lion and The Lamb by Big Daddy Weave