Mark 5:21-23 Not the Way Its Supposed to Be



Not the Way Its Supposed to Be - Three Truths to Cling To

Nathan Wakefield / General Together We Grieve / Mark 5:21–43 When life is hard we must remember that we live in a broken and fallen world, God is sovereign, and we are not home yet.

Introduction

Image Cascading loss

Once upon a time in a small, close-knit town, there lived a man named Peter. Peter was known for his warm smile, his kind heart, and his deep love for his family. He had a wife named Emily and a young daughter, Lily, who was the light of his life. Peter worked as a craftsman, creating beautiful wooden furniture that was admired throughout the town. Peter's life was simple but fulfilling. He found joy in the little things—sharing meals with his family, watching Lily play in the garden, and spending quiet evenings with Emily by the fireplace. His work brought him pride, and his home was filled with love. One winter, everything began to change. It started with the unexpected death of Peter's father, who had been his mentor and his closest confidant. The loss was a heavy blow, leaving Peter feeling adrift and empty. He struggled to process his grief, but life, as it does, continued on. As the months passed, Peter found it difficult to focus on his work. His once-steady hands began to tremble, and the intricate designs he was known for became a burden rather than a joy. Orders slowed, and his business started to decline. The financial strain began to take its toll on the family. Peter, once a provider, now felt like a burden. The stress affected his marriage. Emily, who was also grieving the loss of Peter's father, tried to support her husband, but the distance between them grew. Their conversations became strained, and the warmth they once shared turned to cold silence. Peter withdrew, consumed by guilt and shame, while Emily, feeling helpless, grew increasingly frustrated and distant. The final blow came when Lily, their daughter, fell seriously ill. What began as a simple fever soon escalated into something more severe. The family’s savings were already depleted, and they couldn't afford the best medical care. Despite their desperate prayers and the efforts of the local doctor, Lily passed away. Losing Lily shattered what little remained of Peter's world. The grief that had begun with his father's death now engulfed him entirely. The loss of his daughter was a pain too deep to bear, and the weight of all his losses crushed his spirit. Peter became a shadow of the man he once was. He stopped working altogether, unable to face the tools and workshop that reminded him of better days. His home, once filled with laughter and love, became a place of sorrow and regret. Emily, heartbroken and grieving in her own way, could no longer reach him. She eventually left, unable to live in the echo of their past happiness. Peter was left alone, surrounded by the remnants of a life that had crumbled around him. The cascading losses had taken everything—his father, his livelihood, his marriage, and his child. He wandered the empty streets of the town, lost in memories of what once was, a man broken by the relentless weight of grief. In the years that followed, Peter slowly found a semblance of peace. He began to visit a small church on the outskirts of town, where he would sit in silence, reflecting on the life he had lost. Though he never fully healed from the pain, he found a way to live with it. The community, which had watched him fall, offered him quiet support, reminding him that he was not entirely alone. Peter’s story is one of cascading loss—a reminder of how fragile life can be, and how there are times when the brokenness of life is relentless.

Setting the Stage:

The Book of Mark, one of the four Gospels in the New Testament, is a concise account of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I generally believe it to be one of the earliest if not the earliest Gospel written. The book is traditionally attributed to John Mark, a companion of the Apostle Peter, and reflects Peter’s eyewitness testimony. I believe this to be the case. In effect, the Gospel of Mark is the telling of the Gospel from the perspective of Peter. Mark Chapter 5 fall within a section of the book in which Jesus begins preaching about the Kingdom of God, performs numerous miracles, and teaches with authority. This section highlights His power over nature, demons, disease, and death, demonstrating His divine authority. Within this section of Mark 5 we will see that what seemed to be a disaster was in fact, providentially ordained in order to both test the faith of a certain Jairus and demonstrate Christ’s absolute power.

Body

There is no doubt that Jesus has absolute power. However, we still must face the fact that we live in a broken world.

There is no sugarcoating the truth, our world is broken (5:21-26).

Look carefully at verses 21-26 with me. We must come to the conclusion that we live in a broken world. But more than just living in a broken world we have the reality that brokenness is everywhere.

Brokenness can effect anyone whether rich or poor, righteous or unrighteous, young or old (21-23).

We often operate under an assumption that bad things happen to people to whom we might expect it. You know, those people who don’t have it all together. Here we see that brokenness is affecting a leader of the Synagogue. Jairus was likely not a poor man. Jairus was likely one who worked hard to honor God. Moreover, the problem that Jairus faced was not that his elderly mother was passing. No, the problem Jairus faced was that his daughter, a seemingly innocent child, was sick and dying. We live in a broken world. The brokenness is the result of the fall but that was last weeks sermon. Right now what I want you to see is that the brokenness of our world does not always distinguish between the categories we might expect. you can be rich or poor, righteous or unrighteous, young or old. It doesn’t matter brokenness can strike! And guess what! Brokenness might not come when the time is convenient.

Brokenness does not wait until the time is convenient to rear its head (24-25).

Jesus chose to go with Jairus. At this point Jairus must have been excited. I am sure he assumed that Jesus would come and heal his daughter. Things had looked bleak but now Jesus was coming. The problem comes just moments later. Crowds begin to press around Jesus and if you have ever been in a crowd I am sure you know just how much a crowd slows down your movement. I know how I would feel if I was Jairus. Get out of the way! My Daughter is sick and you are slowing Jesus down. Then, as if the crowd is not enough, a woman with a bleeding issue has the nerve to get involved! I am sure that Jairus was very worried at this point. These delays can only be bad news. But what about the women’s perspective. She had hoped to see Jesus and get some help with her problem. What does she find? This wealthy leader has taken up of of the time Jesus had and now there is a crowd. There is no way this sick woman is going to be able to get any real access to Jesus. Brokenness has struck and it is hardly convenient for anyone.

Brokenness can be relentless (26-27).

Brokenness doesn’t just effect us all. Brokenness doesn’t just choose the wrong time. Brokenness is relentless. Look closely at this woman. We learn that this women has dealt with brokenness for 12 years. She has spent everything she has trying to solve the problem of brokenness and she has only seen everything get worse. Now, when there is a sliver of help the woman finds Jesus busy and occupied with a large crowd. Finally, in an act of desperation the woman reaches out her hand hoping beyond hope.

MTR: Consider your own life. When have you been faced with brokenness?

In the midst of brokenness you might feel hopeless. In fact, you might be someone who has decided not to reflect on life because the pain of brokenness. To all those facing brokenness and that is all of us I want to remind you that there is hope! Because of God there is hope. Let me say it again, there is hope because our God is sovereign.

But there is hope because our God is sovereign (5:27-36).

Look at verse 27 and consider the significance of the actions taken. This women who was without hope. This woman who had spent the past 12 years suffering. This woman who had gone to doctors for a solution and suffered at there hands. This woman who had spent all she had. This woman approached and touched the cloak of Jesus. As I read this I am reminded that.

The sovereign God of the universe has made himself accessible to anyone (27).

John 1:14 states “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” Ancient people’s did all sorts of things to try and make themselves close to the gods. Sacrifices have been offered on high paces. Some have even built ziggurats to get closer tot he gods. It seems like there is innately build into each one of us a desire for God. There are those who deny it but even then there is a God shaped hole in their heart that they try to fill. Even Moses, in Exodus 33:18 wanted a close relationship with God, a face-to-face relationship. One thing that makes Jesus so unique is that whereas every other religion is based on making an effort to draw close to God, through Jesus God draws close to the creation. What happens in verse 27 is the direct result of God making himself accessible. This woman can only approach and touch the robe of God because of Jesus. Jesus allows us direct access to God. In the midst of grief pain may be unbearable and it may seem hopeless but God invites you to bring your pain, bring your problem directly to God. This woman had everything against her, she was a woman and she was suffering from what was some menstrual or uterine problem. In any case such a problem would have made her ritually unclean according to LEv. 15:25-27. This woman would have been excluded from all normal societal norms let alone allowed to approach someone holy. In fact, according to Leviticus 15, anyone who touched this woman would themselves be made unclean. Have you ever written a letter to the president? Guess what, even though you received a reply, the president probably did not read your letter. In fact, there is a long list of people you might write who will never read your letter. You might think you have a great idea for Elon Musk or Tim Cook but they probably are not going to read your idea. I hate to burst your bubble but this is just reality. People of power generally are not at all accessible to the rest of us! About 15 years ago Emily and I were at the White House and we wan into Joe Biden, literally, he gave us about 30 seconds of time and we thought it was a once in a lifetime experience. It is very rare to be that close to anyone of significance. But not the case with God. God, the God of the universe, has made himself accessible.

The sovereign God of the universe has an intentional plan and knows all the details (28-34).

Several events take place. First, the woman is healed. Second, Jesus asks a question, “Who touched me?” Third, the disciples comment on the absurdity of the question. Finally, Jesus assures the woman that her faith has healed her. Typically, when we look at this passage we focus on the faith of the woman, and her faith is significant, but there is more going on here. In want to spend some time looking at the question Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” Why would Jesus ask this question. Jesus is God, Jesus knew, so why ask the question? Simple, Jesus wanted to do more than provide for the physical needs of the woman. Jesus wanted to establish a personal relationship with the woman to make it clear that it was not some magical work that had healed the woman. The work of healing was because of her faith in the living God. Notice the title that Jesus uses to address the woman, θυγάτηρ, (daughter). This affectionate title emphasized the new relationship that this woman had with Jesus. She was not just a broken woman. This was a daughter of the King. The brokenness that had been so prominent before was replaced with an affectionate title and a promise. You can leave now in peace. I want you to understand something. Jesus knew exactly what he was doing. He could have healed the woman from afar. Jesus could have never let the disease come upon the woman. At any point Jesus could have healed the brokenness or he even could have prevented the brokenness but he did not. Instead Jesus used the brokenness to bring this woman into a deep, incredible relationship with her God. If anything about the story had been different we don’t know what would have happened but what we do know is that every detail came together so that this woman was not only healed of her brokenness but she was brought into relationship with the God of the universe. I am reminded that the sovereign God of the universe has a plan. He knows what is happening and he has all the details worked out. Our pain may be overwhelming but it is not by accident. We may never know why but you can be confident that there is a why and that why may be more significant than you could possible imagine. For this woman years of suffering gave rise to the opportunity of a lifetime, the opportunity of eternity, to be called a daughter of king Jesus. You see, the sovereign God of the universe allows brokenness but that allowance comes with the promise of redemption.

The sovereign God of the universe allows brokenness but promises redemption (35-36).

In verse 35 devastation strikes. Delays and inconveniences, have resulted in the worst possible outcome. Jairus’s daughter had died. If only Jesus had moved faster. If only Jesus had not been waylaid by a crowd and an unclean woman. Take a moment and put yourself into the shoes of Jairus. Thinks looked bad before but there was hope. You have used all your political capital, your significance, and now Jesus is coming. Things look bleak but Jesus will fix it right. Then news comes, go ahead and stop the efforts Jairus, it is too late. Your daughter is dead. Hope has failed you. There is no coming back from this. It is over. Then, Jesus says the most striking words. Don’t be afraid, just believe. In the darkest hour Jesus states what is unfathomable. Don’t be afraid. You see, Jesus is in the business of redeeming that which is broken. For Jairus this redemption is going to come in the form of restoration of life. But don’t get hung up in that. What I want you to focus on is the fact that Jesus redeems. Yes, the world is broken but the promise Jesus has made is an eternal promise. Jesus will wipe away every tear. Jesus will redeem all the brokenness. Jesus will take your hurt and redeem that hurt!

MTR: Evaluate your view on brokenness. Do you believe that God can redeem your brokenness?

What does this look like? Well, be honest with yourself about your brokenness. Then ask yourself, do I really believe God can fix this brokenness? Do I believe that God knows what he is doing in this brokenness? Knowing that God can fix our brokenness allows us to continue because we know that we are only in the already-not-yet.

And so we can continue in the already-not-yet knowing that we are not home yet (37-43).

If you are reading the account of Mark 5:21-43 you may be struck by verse 37. In verse 37 we see that Jesus only allowed three of his disciples to come with him. Why only three? Probably because Jesus is not ready for everyone to hear about the miracle but when the time is right he will want it to be know. Hence, these three would become witnesses of the event after the resurrection. But in the moment, it was not time for this to be widely known. You see, Jesus had come, the Kingdom of God was coming but it was not time for the full realization of the kingdom. That is we have a situation of already-not-yet. One of the hardest things for anyone to accept is not knowing some important detail. But this is exactly where we find ourselves.

Living in the already-not-yet means that we don’t know all the details of God’s plans (37).

I am sure the other disciples wanted to go along. I am sure that people felt left out. I am sure people wondered why. But the simple fact is that Jesus was not ready for all the details to come out. Jesus absolutely had a plan but Jesus also absolutely did not let everyone know what was going on. I want us to understand the reality of the already-not-yet. There is brokenness in the world. God has started the process of redeeming the brokenness. Complete redemption of brokenness has not been realized yet. As we go through life things happen that we don’t understand. Yet, God has a plan. You don’t need to know all the details in order to trust the outcome. When I get on an airline to fly across the country I don’t know all the details of the flight plan what I do know is the destination and that is good enough for me.

Living in the already-not-yet means the pain of brokenness is still very real (38).

Here is a newsflash, the world we live in is full of brokenness. Ok, maybe that is not news, but it is true. We live in a broken world. One day God will wipe away every tear but here, now, the world is broken and life is hard. In verse 38 we see the effects of brokenness. There is a commotion at the house. People have come to comfort the family and mourn together. In fact, given this is a Jewish house, it is likely that hired mourners were present. This is a big deal and there is a a lot of brokenness. The elaborate Jewish ritual of mourning had begun and the pain of brokenness was clearly visible. While we know that God will wipe away every tear, that does not change the reality that there are tears in the here and now. The full Kingdom of God has not come and so there is still pain and suffering. In fact, sometimes the pain can be so significant that everything seems hopeless.

Living in the already-not-yet means hope is sometimes unbelievable (39-40a).

Jesus, arriving at the mourning ritual, says the most prosperous thing he could say. This mourning is a waste of time. Okay, that is not exactly what he said, but essentially this is what Jesus says to the group. The girl, Jesus says, is sleeping. Now nothing in the text suggests that the girl was no dead other than this remark so I think we should take this remark as metaphorical. Jesus is telling the people to stop mourning because this is going to turn out as if the girl was merely taking a nap. The response of the crowd is the same response I would have given. They laugh at Jesus, probably not a laugh of amusement but a laugh of dismissal. This Jesus has just shown up and must not understand what has happened. Any hope of anything other than the pain is simply unbelievable. The brokenness of the world means that at times hope is going to seem unbelievable. This is the world in which we live, a world where hope may seem so foreign, so unbelievable that we cannot fathom anything other than the pain we feel. Really there are times where freedom from pain seems unimaginable. But that doesn’t mean that there is no hope.

Living in the already-not-yet means we can only imagine what God has in store for us (40b-43).

I am pretty sure that nobody expected the outcome of this sickness to be resurrection. A series of commands from Jesus demonstrate the unimaginable outcome. First Jesus commands, Talitha Koum, Aramaic for the command “little girl, I say to you, get up.” This is a profound command because it shows this is not a magic incantation, no this is Jesus demonstrating command over even death itself. The second command was not to tell anyone. We are in the already-not-yet and there are times when the work of God occurs in secret. All part of God’s plan. The third command is to give the girl something to eat. I don’t know how you respond to being sick but usually it takes time after a sickness for my stomach to be ready for food again. In this case Jesus has completely and fully restored this girl to health. This is no slow recovery this is immediate results. So, what do we do with this?

MTR: Reflect on the already-not-yet. Are you willing to accept that there is so much more coming?

I don’t know what you are going through, what I do know is that Jesus has a plan for you and it is better than you can possible imagine. The brokenness of the world is real, overbearing, and painful, but in the end Jesus will bring you into His Kingdom and I can only imagine what it will be.
Exported from Logos Bible Study, 8:41 PM August 18, 2024.