Jesus has all power, even over death.

The topic of death prompts a wide range of emotions and responses from the Christian, such as grief, compassion, and hope. In this lesson, each of these comes into view as we examine two miracles of Jesus in which he raised the dead. These miracles helped to confirm Jesus’ identity as son of God, Messiah, and Lord, while revealing his compassion for a desperate father and a grief stricken widow. Notice the words and actions of Jesus and think about how you would respond in a similar situation. Also keep in view that it is important to recognize that Jesus performed miracles that demonstrated his power and authority as Lord over life and death. This sheds light on what it means for us, when we truly trust in him as our Savior and Lord.

GOLDEN TEXT:

Luk 7:22  Then Jesus answering said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached.

…….Starting right here, think about what the thought process may have been for John the Baptist. He came fulfilling the prophecy of preparing the way for Jesus Christ, living in the wilderness, keeping himself separated from the world and now he is in prison waiting execution. While he is sitting in this prison his main concern is, are you really the Christ? Are you the one that is coming to change the world? Are you the one that my ministry was to foreshadow, or was my entire life in vain? Maybe inside he felt Spiritually dead. But, his only concern was still Jesus Christ! Jesus answered him to remind and comfort, everything that was told to you in prophecy is being fulfilled! Even at the last stages of life, Satan will try to kill what The Lord has placed inside. It is a fight all the way to the end for the child of God to stay alive Spiritually, but it is possible by the power of His Spirit!

We may get tired while living in God’s will, but we will never get tired “of” living in God’s will.

Let’s break away for just a moment…..Think about the Caterpillar. God created an insect that has no specific abilities. It is one of the slowest, useless individuals on the face of the earth. Some may even think it to be an ugly creature. But, that caterpillar doesn’t stay that way forever. One day, nature tells it to form a shell around it’s body and almost died in it. As it lays dormant in that cocoon it becomes even more useless than it was before. But after some time the transformation begins and that caterpillar turns into a gorgeous butterfly. Not only does it contain a beauty to behold, it now becomes one of the most beautiful and mobile creatures on the face of the earth. It moves and goes where ever it desires for the rest of its life. Think about the thought process The butterfly now has after knowing at one time it could barely move. It doesn’t dwell on the past and allow it to keep himself useless. It had to go through this stage of oppression and suppression before it could become what it is in the end.

A FATHER’S DESPERATE PLEA

A. Life and Death Situation

Mar 5:21  And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.

Mar 5:22  And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

Mar 5:23  And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

Mar 5:24  And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

……. to understand the importance of this healing, the position of Jairus held should be known. Jairus was a temple ruler in Capernaum. He was a devout Jew who was assigned by the congregation to attend the administrative functions of the synagogue. His need was so great that he fell down at Jesus‘ feet and pleaded with him that he would come and lay his hands on his little daughter and heal her because she was sick and very near dying…….If we are ever going to receive a healing from the Lord we must first learn to worship with our all no matter our job title or social status! There can be no shame in our faith!

B. Contrast in Attitudes

Mar 5:35  While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

Mar 5:36  As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

…….While Jesus was on the way to Jairus’ house, a woman with an incurable blood hemorrhaging disease interfered with his current mission. While Jesus stopped to heal this woman, Time was ticking away. Even though another miracle had just occurred, bad news came in with a crushing blow, Jairus’ daughter is now dead. Not only is she dead but the messenger was also in doubt delivering the news. “Why do you trouble the Master any further, your daughter is now dead!” It is so important who and what we listen to while in need of a miracle! I would dare to say that the enemy knows your need just as much as you do! But look at Jesus‘s response in the very next verse, “be not afraid only believe!” This indicating that He will heal his daughter! That is the great command to those who are in need!

JESUS’ MIRACULOUS RESPONSE

A. An Unexpected Declaration

Mar 5:37  And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

Mar 5:38  And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult (uproar), and them that wept and wailed greatly.

Mar 5:39  And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

…….In my opinion at this point, Jesus uses a tactic to expose the doubters that are still gathered inside the house.

Mar 5:40  And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

…….There were times during Jesus’ ministry that he knew that the doubters had to be left out. Doubt is a contagious spiritual disease that must be removed for a healing to take place. Maybe for Jesus in this situation, he simply didn’t count them worthy to see a miracle performed. What an afterthought for those that could have witnessed such a miracle but were left out because of doubt.

B. An Astonishing Reunion

Mar 5:41  And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

Mar 5:42  And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

Mar 5:43  And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

…….Throughout all of his miracles Jesus never wanted to draw a crowd for the sake of people seeing a miracle. He came to heal the ones that needed a healing, not to entertain the ones who simply only wanted to be entertained.