We Need Jesus

Mark 5

​Imagine asking Jesus to leave you. Imagine commanding Jesus to leave your community! If you can’t, know we see it all the time in our current culture.

Jesus has been forced out of many places, families, lives in today’s society; and not just His presence, but conversations and spiritual comments about Him.

Our world is much like the culture and citizens in the first century and the Gerasenes; where many are concerned more with financial profit than with spiritual benefits, truth, or following after Jesus, who is God. In many corners, society embraces evil and denies the power, authority, and saving grace of Jesus Christ.

Many would rather follow their careers and high financial positions than look to the future of eternal life with the Creator of the universe. We see finances and careers as the main reason for many refusing to follow Jesus and for sinful acts like abortion in the world. Babies are seen as an inconvenience and interruption to future goals, successes, corporate positions, and financial gains or riches.

Here in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus went through a storm to get to this demoniac who needed His help; who I believe could have been one of the first missionaries in this area of the world.
At the site of Jesus, the demon possessed man—legion, one with 6000 demons—begged not to be sent to the abyss in the swine, the communities financial base. The citizens begged Jesus to leave their site and their society; however, one healed man begged to be allowed to go with Jesus and follow Him all the days of his life.

“And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. 18 As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.” Mark 5:15–20 (ESV)

Warren Wiersbe says that in Mark 5, we see Jesus going to the one in need; we see that the one in need can come to Jesus; and we who are often in great need can journey with Jesus through our pain and difficulties, and He with us.

All kinds of people came to the feet of Jesus, but in this chapter, a well-known synagogue leader and an anonymous sick woman could find help and hope from His presence. They were desperate for Jesus’ touch, especially the woman with a 12 year bleeding issue.

“And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.” Mark 5:24–29 (ESV)

Perhaps the woman’s faith was a bit superstitious, but the Lord still honored it. If you cannot grasp His hand, touch the hem of His garment. The first step of faith, no matter how weak, will lead to greater blessings.

There is so much distress captured here in John Mark’s letter. A demon possessed man, a bleeding woman, a fearful father, and a young girl who has just died. But, as we gather from His power and mission, no situation is so desperate that Jesus cannot work. Disease, delays, and even death are under His control, for He is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present.

Jesus goes with you to the place of disappointment and sorrow and meets your greatest needs in accordance with His Will. No matter how depressing your situation may appear, “Do not be afraid; only believe,” for Jesus is always working for you.

In the case of Jarius’ Daughter:
“Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.” Mark 5:41–42 (ESV)
What is there in your life where you need Jesus to just show up? What spiritual, emotional, physical issue do you possess where Jesus is your only hope? Where do you need healed or restored? Have you called for Him to intervene and use His power to overcome? What sin do you need Him to eradicate and forgive?

Have you accepted His gift of hope, salvation and eternal life? Will you?

Do you believe that Jesus was sent to seek and save all who are lost? Do you believe that He lived a perfect life on this earth and died to cover your sin with His blood on the cross as a perfect sacrifice? Do you believe that He destroyed sin and death by raising from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit after being buried in a borrowed tomb for three days? Do you believe that Jesus ascended into Heaven before many witnesses, where He sits at the right hand of the Father as the Mediator between you and God? Will you believe?

Romans 10:9–13 (ESV) says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
​
Today, will you believe by faith that Jesus Christ is Messiah and Lord? Will you trust in Jesus and His Spirit that has overcome the greatest of needs and issues, even death on a cross? Will you lean into Jesus, reach out by faith and touch the hem of His garment? Will you trust Him with every area of your life and make Him the Lord over your life? Will you surrender?

---