The Divine Power of Jesus
Text: Mark 5:21-43 | October 20, 2019
Jesus is back in Capernaum (Mk. 5:21) after a brief visit in the country of the Gerasenes (Mk. 5:1), where He cast out thousands of demons from a demon-possessed man (Mk. 5:1-20). As Jesus returned, a large crowd gathered around Him. We have seen crowds gathering around Jesus throughout our study (Mk. 2:2; 3:7; 3:20; 4:1; 5:21). Undoubtedly, many in the crowd were sick with various diseases, seeking to be healed by Jesus. However, in the midst of the large crowd, Mark records two specific instances of Jesus performing miracles. The first is the account of Jairus, whose daughter was at the point of death (Mk. 5:21-24, 35-43). Sandwiched inside of that account, verses 25-34, is the account of the encounter between Jesus and a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years (Mk. 5:25). Jesus healed the woman (Mk. 5:29), but the delay of healing the woman was deadly. Jairus’ daughter had died (Mk. 5:35); however, Jesus demonstrated His divine power over not only disease, but also death (Mk. 5:41-42).
For the entirety of the message, please see the attached manuscript.
Review Questions:
- Read Mark 4:35-5:43. What are the four miracles that Jesus performed that demonstrated His divine power?
- After raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead, why did Jesus give them “strict orders that no one should know about this” (Mk. 5:43)?
Answers:
- Jesus calms the storm (Mk. 4:35-41), demonstrating His divine power over the physical, natural realm. Jesus casts out thousands of demons from the demon-possessed man in the country of the Gerasenes (Mk. 5:1-20), demonstrating His divine power over the supernatural, spiritual realm. Jesus heals the woman with the bleeding disorder (Mk. 5:25-34), demonstrating His divine power over disease. Jesus raises Jairus’ daughter (Mk. 5:21-24, 35-43), demonstrating His divine power over death.
- The message of the gospel is not complete without the cross and the resurrection, and Jesus has not been crucified and raised yet. Read 1 Corinthians 2:2; 15:3-4; Romans 4:25.