Hanging out with Jesus XIII: Jesus and Three Scandals

Hanging out with Jesus XIII: Jesus and Three Scandals

Mark 5:21 to 6:7                        Key verse Mark 5:36

A crowd gathered to meet Jesus at the sea side when he arrived back to Capernaum.  It was not long before three scandals happened. The scandals were a result of faith at work. Yes, faith in God is righteously scandalous. A scandal is something that shocks people because their expected norms or ways of thinking are violated. As a result they say 'this can't be. It is not what we expect'. As a result some are offended (GK. skandalizo -  Mark 6:3) which means they are tripped or stumbled. Behind each scandal cited in this message were people's expectations that were scandalous barriers to what Jesus needed to do and required scandalous faith to pull them down.

As we will see, in one case he said 'thy faith has healed you.' Faith had won.  In another he said 'keep on believing'. Faith also went on to win.  In the other he marveled at their unbelief. Faith was absent. In this last case faith did not show up and its barriers had a walk over.  In the first two cases Jesus was desperately sought for and in the last he was deeply despised in his hometown. The first two cases involved two daughters and the last a homeboy. The first two involved twelve year situations - a young girl at twelve years and a woman sick for twelve years and the last case ended with the sending out of the twelve.

Scandal 1: A synagogue leader fell before Jesus (Mark 5:21 -24, 35 – 43)

Jairus the synagogue leader  teaches the importance of humility in faith. For him to fall at the feet of Jesus he had to break down an internal barrier of pride. What he did was scandalous among his Jewish peers who were vicious critics of Jesus and thought he was a lunatic distorting their religion and misleading people. As ruler of the synagogue he was also a town leader. You would not expect him among a sea side crowd.  All eyes were therefore on him. People wanted to see what he would do. From what angle had he come to quiz Jesus so they thought? He was a man of high social position, a man known among the people, a man of wealth, prestige and power. Despite all this high profile he was a man who had a desperate need- his daughter was dying. You will never become so powerful, so popular and rise so high that problems and troubles cannot reach you. Jairus must have tried all solutions within the norms and his means to no avail.  He had suffered sleepless nights. He had shed many tears. He had watched his daughter get worse and worse. Until he got to a point where every advantage he had was meaningless and he decided to count it as a loss. Even if it meant being fired from the synagogue he decided to fall at Jesus' feet and cried for him to come to his home and lay hands on his daughter who was at the point of death.

As the crowd followed Jesus to Jairus’ house, a woman needing healing delayed the march. A devastating turn of events then happens. News arrived that the daughter was no longer sick but deceased. No need to bother the master anymore. All hope is lost.  When bad news comes faith is at test. Jesus encouraged Jairus’ faith by saying 'Do not be afraid keep on believing or keep on having faith in God’. Do not limit God even at the last minute or when it seems all is lost. The fact always is the enemy has not triumphed. No problem can be bad, big and late enough to stop God. Remember the resurrection of stories of Lazarus (John 11) and of The Lord. When going through difficulties you need someone to remind you of the importance of keeping faith. Keep reading bible, eyes on Jesus, praying and obeying.

Negative facts and events threaten faith but his word calms all fears. At Jairus’ Jesus found the professional mourners best at their trade. He announced the girl was only  asleep to which they became professional mockers as they laughed him to scorn.  The last laughter is however always reserved for him. He selected three disciples and the parents to accompany him to where the girl was.  There are places with Jesus  you can't go with a multitude. With 'thalita kouhm' - 'little girl arise' he raised the girl  to life again.

The ruler was not ashamed to seek Jesus, and more so, bring him to his home. He did not send his wife or someone else but he sought for the Lord himself. His humility paid wonders. Are you humble enough to surrender your situation to Jesus?  Is Jesus welcome into your home?   To climb up to Jesus you have to climb down from self (1 Peter 5:6, 7). Cry out to Jesus today. Look to heaven - don't wait to be forced to look to God when they put you in a coffin. Jairus at his wits' end cried out to Jesus (Psalm 107:6, 13, 18-22). There are times when antics must give way to charismatics.

Scandal 2: An untouchable woman touched Jesus (Mark 5:24 – 35)

This woman who suffered from an issue of blood illustrates determination in faith. She had to overcome external regulatory and physical barriers. She pressed through from the periphery to Jesus at the center of the crowd. This was scandalous because as a woman with issue of blood she wasrendered unclean by law and was not mix freely with other people. In addition by losing blood she was losing her life. She had suffered twelve  years and had been to many doctors to no avail. Her health condition was deteriorating. She heard that Jesus was passing by going to heal a daughter whose father had pleaded with Jesus on her behalf. She wished she also had such a father.  Quickly her  faith raised her from wishful thinking to setting her mind to touching the garment of Jesus. She believed if she only touched the garment she would be healed. Overcoming the obstacles, she achieved her goal and was healed.

The good news is that if no one touches you, you can still touch him.  Many were pushing and pressing but she touched.  Unlimited grace is waiting for the touch of faith. She could not secretly go away. Jesus called her out and also reminded she also had a caring father by saying 'DAUGHTER your faith has made you whole'.  You also have a caring Father.  Jehovah Shammah ...  Jehova who is there.

Scandal 3: A familiar home boy who is Messiah (Mark 6: 1 – 7)

Jesus' home town experience is an example of what familiarity does to faith.  He spoke at the Synagogue. The place must have been packed. Donkeys could not find stalls (or parking). The many people however failed to overcome the barrier of unbelief. Their familiarity  as relatives and people well acquainted with Jesus' family background and upbringing as an ordinary child bred contempt and dishonor towards him. They appreciated the wisdom and the power he displayed  but rejected him as the vessel. Many are stumbled by the humble people,  ways and  forms God chooses to use. They found Jesus to be too common and ordinary for their take.  His demonstration of mighty works and claim to being messiah (Luke 4:14-31) were seriously scandalous to them.  They raised questions. Who does he think he is? Who is he trying to be? What is suddenly special about him? He is just like us. We know even his parents and brothers. They saw Jesus and his claims as scandalous.  In the process they were stumbled and  lost the benefit of the wisdom and power Jesus had brought. 

Jesus marveled at their unbelief and could only do a few miracles. He was there for the troubled, lame, poor, sick, and demon oppressed in Nazareth but sadly they disapproved his authority. In the Gospel of Luke (Luke 4:14-31), Jesus commented that in the Old Testament faith was often to be found outside Israel. For example there were many lepers in Israel during Elisha’s time but it was Naaman of Syria who was healed. Jesus gave the people of Nazareth an opportunity - an open door and they shunned it.  The door is also open for you today.  If you can only believe all things are possible. Jesus promised to be with you, to work on you and through you.

Message by Dr. Kurai Chitima.

Faith Ministries – Johannesburg Faith Life Center.

Ground and First Floors Sunset Bay Building,

204B Bram Fischer drive,

Randburg, Johannesburg, South Africa