“Interruptions”

Mark 5:21-43                      (New Revised Standard Version)

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.”

So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Often times we allow our interruptions to define our lives, however, it is through the worst moments of our lives that God’s glory can shine the brightest.

• When we find Christ in the interruption, then all things will work together for the good of God’s glory even when that glory has yet to be revealed.
• The good news is that life doesn’t have to be perfect before good things happen.
• Even in the midst of our interrupted lives, Jesus brings healing, wholeness, and joy.
• Even an interrupted life can be beautiful and full and filled with God’s grace

Jairus was desperate because of his love for his baby girl, and so he sought out the only one he knew had healed anyone: Jesus.

• Jairus did exactly what we all wish we could do: he told his problem to Jesus, and Jesus went with him.

Jesus was going with Jairus and then…interruption.

• She reached out and touched him in desperation because no matter what anyone else thought, she would do anything to be healed.
• How many of us are just like that woman today? We have tried everything to fix the interruption of our lives, when all we have to do is go to Jesus to find true healing.
• When you reach out to grab Jesus, he feels it and can point you out of the crowd.

1. When we go to Christ, we too can be healed. When we go to Christ, our interruptions can be turned into miracles.

• “Trust in me.”
• When we trust Jesus, miracles have a chance. When we trust Jesus, healing happens.