“I love being around people that have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have still found a way to get up and win in the face of it all.” – Pastor E A Deckard
Mark 5:21-43New International Version (NIV)
Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman
21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him.
A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.
30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”
32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”
36 Overhearing[a] what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”
37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.
After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this, they were completely astonished.
Forward Thinkers, the reality of life is that no matter how well we plan and prepare, there will still be obstacles and hurdles we must face. The key is maintaining your faith through it all and today’s article will help you increase your faith and get up and win no matter the situation.
Vs. 21 Again crossed over to the other side
Forward Thinkers, we see in verse twenty-one that Jesus made a promise to take the disciples to the other side and that promise is now fulfilled. Forward Thinkers, this is another example of proof that God can and will do what He said He would do. Forward Thinkers, I think it’s amazing that God will show us His power before we experience our next difficult situation. And, yes, Forward Thinkers, there will be a next situation.
Vs. 22 Then
Forward Thinkers, in verse twenty-two, we see the term “then” which means an indication of time or to reveal what happens next. Notice the set-up; Jesus keeps His word then a situation breaks out that needs Jesus’ attention. We are able to endure because Jesus is the source of our strength.
Vs. 25 Before Jesus solves one issue, another issue pops up.
Forward Thinkers, I’m so thankful Jesus can handle your stuff and my stuff at the same time. That’s why we should always be interceding in prayer for each other. God is big enough to provide for us all so there is no need to panic and fear in the midst of our current issue.
Forward Thinkers, notice the bible says the woman had her issue for twelve years: whenever the bible mentions a period of time we should understand there was a time before the period mentioned and there will be a time afterwards. Forward Thinkers, the power of this revelation is that I can rejoice and keep the faith knowing this situation I’m dealing with has an expiration date. Forward Thinkers, I’m so glad I know trouble don’t last always.
Vs. 26 Some issues we experience the world can’t solve.
Forward Thinkers, remember Jesus said some things can only be done by fasting and praying. How much more time and money will you spend wasting on this worlds false promises? I was amazed this week when I heard four-hundred people paid $50 to hear a speaker who claimed he was able to talk to their deceased family and friends. Forward Thinkers, please pay close attention to the fact that this woman got worse after she had given all her money away to doctors. Forward Thinkers, this season, your answers won’t come from the things of this world but from your faith in God Almighty.
Vs. 27 When she heard about Jesus
Forward Thinkers, in verse twenty-seven we see the importance of spreading the word about Jesus. There are no problems Jesus can’t fix. Forward Thinkers, a dying world is dying because we are silent about the power of Jesus.
Forward Thinkers, I still believe the blind need to know Jesus gives sight to the blind. Forward Thinkers, I still believe the poor needs to know Jesus takes pleasure in the prosperity of His people. Forward Thinkers, I still believe the lame need to know Jesus can empower them to get up and walk again.
Forward Thinkers, how much are you talking about Jesus? Forward Thinkers, how often do you share your Jesus story with others?
Vs. 28 Faith comes by hearing
Forward Thinkers, in the midst of her issue, this woman’s faith was birthed by what she was hearing about Jesus. Forward Thinkers, let me introduce you to the 2-step process of faith. First, we need to hear about Jesus; then we need to talk about Jesus. Forward Thinkers, this 2-step process will turn any situation around for the better.
Vs. 33 A healed Woman at the altar telling the whole truth on Jesus.
Forward Thinkers, in verse thirty-three, we see this woman telling the whole truth on Jesus. I wonder how amazing it would be if we all started telling the whole truth on Jesus. Forward Thinkers, this generation has become so dysfunctional because we have stopped telling the whole truth on Jesus and we turned Jesus into an avenue to gain wealth. Forward Thinkers, I challenge you to be like this woman and tell the whole truth on Jesus. Forward Thinkers, tell the world that I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody about somebody that can save anybody and that somebody is Jesus.
Vs. 34 Daughter, your faith has healed you
Forward Thinkers, verse thirty-four is the position of deliverance we are all aiming for. Jesus tells the woman who had a twelve year issue to get up and to go in peace. Forward Thinkers, Jesus was telling the woman go and live a life with nothing broken and nothing missing. Forward Thinkers, I’m declaring with you on today that like this woman, you will get up from your issue and be free to walk into your destiny.
Vs. 35 Delayed doesn’t mean denied
Forward Thinkers, by verse thirty-five Jesus had healed the woman with the issue of blood but the little girl was still sick and now people are saying she is dead. Forward Thinkers, remember we stated earlier that God is big enough to handle all our problems so just because God worked it out for someone else while you’re still dealing with your issue doesn’t mean God has denied you. Forward Thinkers, delayed doesn’t mean denied. God is moving on your behalf even when it looks like you’re being defeated. Keep the faith.
Vs. 36 Jesus once again gives us the answer
Forward Thinkers, your answer is found in verse thirty-six when Jesus declares, don’t be afraid; just believe. Forward Thinkers, whatever it is you’re dealing with, don’t be afraid but believe Jesus is able to enable you to overcome and get up and defeat it.
Vs. 37 Before you get up you will have to leave some people outside.
Forward Thinkers, the hard reality is before you can really get up and win there will be some people you will have to leave behind. Forward Thinkers, everybody can’t handle or deserve a backstage viewing of your life. Forward Thinkers, there are some people you are going to have to leave in line outside and there are some you can only allow inside but not back stage.
Vs. 38 Question: How do you determine who goes where?
Forward Thinkers, in verse thirty-eight we will discover how to align people in their rightful place in our lives.
-Those who are crying are showing they at least care, so they get a ticket inside.
-Those laughing are showing they don’t believe in you, so they belong outside in line.
-Those touching and agreeing, keep walking with them and grant them a backstage pass.
Forward Thinkers, in conclusion, Jesus says to the little twelve year old girl, “Get up” and just like the woman with a twelve-year issue of blood, she gets up and begins to walk in a new direction. Forward Thinkers, this season of your life, keep your faith and get up and start walking in a new direction.
Pastor E. A. Deckard is the Senior Pastor/Founder of the Green House International Church now located, in both Houston, Texas, and the Woodlands, Texas. To contact Pastor Deckard for speaking engagements contact him at pr.ghic@gmail.com, follow him on Facebook, Instagram and Periscope @ Pastor E A Deckard or the church website www.ghic.net