Proper 8
1 July 2012
Mark 5:35-43
Nothing will stand in His Way
INTRODUCTION: How willing is the Savior to help His own?
Such a question is asked even of the most pious and devout believer. Is the
Savior able to come to me when I need Him the most? When I call will He answer?
Is my circumstance too bleak even for Jesus? The answer to these pressing
questions is answered in our text for this day. When it comes to the Savior
helping His own nothing will deter Him – not even death! Let’s see how the cruel world reacts…
I.
People’s opinions – Your daughter is dead! V.35
A. This is the
only way in which the world perceives reality.
1. That there
are certain challenges which not even Jesus can help. Who could bring someone
back from the dead?
2. If it’s
believed that Jesus cannot help – then their statement is correct – “why
trouble the Master?”
B. Yet, how the
world perceives reality may be deceiving.
1. God’s
masks – His power is seen in weakness; when we are brought low it is Christ who
raises us up.
2. Why
trouble the Master? When tempted to give up and give in it is then that we need
to seek Christ where He can be found. Instead of telling the Savior about your
storm – tell our storm how big you Savior is.
Transition: People’s opinion will not deter Jesus from
helping – nor will people ridicule and scorn.
II.
Ridicule – They laughed at Him V.40
A. They laugh
because Jesus confronted their world view.
1. That man
is in control at all times and in every circumstance.
2. That fact
trumps faith {see C.S. Lewis and “Total Truth” etc.}
B. They laugh
because they really didn’t believe.
1. That Jesus
could intervene
2. That Jesus
could cure and heal
3. That Jesus
was the Christ
Transition: We cry to Jesus to help in every desperate
situation. He will come to us without fail – even when death’s grim reality?
III.
Death’s stark reality – I say to you arise! V.41
A. Jesus
swallowed up death by His own death and resurrection. Because of the cross and
empty tomb we are Easter People! Listen to how Mark describes it later on in
his gospel account!
When Jesus rose early on the first day of the week, he
appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had driven seven demons. She
went and told those who had been with him and who were mourning and weeping.
When they heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen him, they did not
believe it. Afterward Jesus appeared in a different form to two of them while
they were walking in the country. These returned and reported it to the rest;
but they did not believe them either. Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as
they were eating; he rebuked them for their lack of faith and their stubborn
refusal to believe those who had seen him after he had risen. Mark 16:9-11
B. Death is so
limited…
it has not crippled love,
it has not shattered hope,
it has not corroded
faith,
it has not eaten away
peace,
nor destroyed
confidence.
It has not killed friendship,
it has not shut out memories,
it has not silenced courage,
it has not invaded the soul,
nor reduced eternal
life.
It has not quenched the Spirit,
It cannot, has not,
nor will not lesson
the power of the resurrection!
CONCLUSION: When we cry to Jesus for help in a desperate
situation, He comes to us without fail!
Artwork by Ed Riojas, © Higher Things
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