February 26, 2014: Celebrity Status

Mark 5:21-43

Amplified Bible (AMP)

21 And when Jesus had recrossed in the boat to the other side, a great throng gathered about Him, and He was at the lakeshore.

22 Then one of the rulers of the synagogue came up, Jairus by name; and seeing Him, he prostrated himself at His feet

23 And begged Him earnestly, saying, My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may be healed and live.

24 And Jesus went with him; and a great crowd kept following Him and pressed Him from all sides [so as almost to suffocate Him].

25 And there was a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years,

26 And who had endured much suffering under [the hands of] many physicians and had spent all that she had, and was no better but instead grew worse.

27 She had heard the reports concerning Jesus, and she came up behind Him in the throng and touched His garment,

28 For she kept saying, If I only touch His garments, I shall be restored to health.

29 And immediately her flow of blood was dried up at the source, and [suddenly] she felt in her body that she was healed of her [distressing] ailment.

30 And Jesus, recognizing in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around immediately in the crowd and said, Who touched My clothes?

31 And the disciples kept saying to Him, You see the crowd pressing hard around You from all sides, and You ask, Who touched Me?

32 Still He kept looking around to see her who had done it.

33 But the woman, knowing what had been done for her, though alarmed and frightened and trembling, fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.

34 And He said to her, Daughter, your faith (your trust and confidence in Me, springing from faith in God) has restored you to health. Go in (into) peace and be continually healed and freed from your [distressing bodily] disease.

35 While He was still speaking, there came some from the ruler’s house, who said [to Jairus], Your daughter has died. Why bother and distress the Teacher any further?

36 Overhearing but ignoring what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear; only keep on believing.

37 And He permitted no one to accompany Him except Peter and James and John the brother of James.

38 When they arrived at the house of the ruler of the synagogue, He looked [carefully and with understanding] at [the] tumult and the people weeping and wailing loudly.

39 And when He had gone in, He said to them, Why do you make an uproar and weep? The little girl is not dead but is sleeping.

40 And they laughed and jeered at Him. But He put them all out, and, taking the child’s father and mother and those who were with Him, He went in where the little girl was lying.

41 Gripping her [firmly] by the hand, He said to her, Talitha cumi—which translated is, Little girl, I say to you, arise [from the sleep of death]!

42 And instantly the girl got up and started walking around—for she was twelve years old. And they were utterly astonished and overcome with amazement.

43 And He strictly commanded and warned them that no one should know this, and He [expressly] told them to give her [something] to eat.

In verse 24, Jesus was at the point of being suffocated by the crowd pressing on all sides. I've been constantly impressed by the popularity of Jesus. He was a celebrity! Why? He knew His mission on earth and He did it. There wasn't a selfish bone in His body. I can't help but wonder what would happen if I gave my life totally to the work of the Lord. Praying for people, giving Bible Studies, bus ministry, hospital visits, nursing home visits, and whatever else came my way. I would reach the point where people would wave me down and rush over to me everywhere I went! 
Just last night at church I was feeling I should start hanging around the altar and praying for people more. I used to sing for altar call every service. But now, so many are capable of singing and playing. So I can certainly pray for people with needs. But I'm tired on Wednesdays and Sundays after being at church for 10-12 hours. 
Hey! Its not about my needs! It's about those people at the altar! They are there because they are hungry or hurting! I must hang around the masses who have needs!!!

"Jesus, I love this chapter! The crowds were suffocating You and You felt virtue go out from You when the lady touched the hem of Your garment! And then You were rudely interrupted while You were healing to the lady! Your life was one interruption after another! But You knew You only had a short time and You kindly prayed for and healed everybody that would possibly fit into Your short time on earth. You had such compassion! I must wake up! I must forget about myself and give, give, give! I must be alert! I must have my eyes and ears open to the pain and suffering around me! Help me Jesus! I've wasted so much time! I must change! As I continue to study Your amazing life, You are transforming me. I love You so much. I worship Your sweet name. AMEN."