MARK 5:21-43 UNPARALLED SYMPATHY Large multitudes met Jesus when He stepped off the boat on the "other side." It is not unknown for crowds of people to want to be where when a time of visitation by God takes place. Some people come out of curiosity; others come to criticize as skeptics like to do. There are those who come in fearful desperation and others in despair looking for a glimmer of hope. It is the same today as it was in the days when the Lord was here.
It is a point of interest that twelve years before, in the home of an up-and-coming man was born a little girl. She would have been the apple of his eye and the source of great joy to both the mother and father. In another home around the same time a young woman had to face what would have been to her and those of her family, a terrible tragedy. Because of the sickness that plagued her, she would have been ostracized from society and made to leave her husband, family and friends. She was beyond the help of physicians, now poverty stricken and continually getting worse. These two people are united in this page of the scripture because of One Person of unparalleled sympathy - the Lord Jesus Christ, the Perfect Servant was here, doing the Father's will.
He responded to the anxious pleading of a distraught father knowing that no matter what station in life one may hold, to touch one's child is to touch the quick of his heart and emotions. "Jesus went with him..." The training process of faith does not always follow the same pattern. We can't expect that because God does a wonderful thing one way, that He is always going to carry out His will in the same way. That would eliminate the need for, and blessings of, faith. Personal trust in God is what pleases Him.
A woman who had faith in the Lord Jesus Christ was unknowingly being used by God as an object lesson of faith. Going against the laws of society, she presses her way close enough to Jesus to reach an arm through the pressing crowd and finally touch the edge of His garment. It didn't surprise her that she was healed. She had expected that to happen because her confidence was in the Lord Jesus Christ. The touch didn't heal her. The Savior did, and there came virtue from Him to her because of her genuine faith. Doubt and faith cannot exist in the same place at the same time. There are degrees of faith but the reality of faith is what pleases God. Her open confession of faith was important. "With the mouth confession is made unto salvation." To testify as to God's grace to us is expected as an evidence of salvation and appreciation to the Lord for His great grace.
Jairus would no doubt have been impatient at the delay of the Savior by this woman as the sympathy of the Lord towards the needy woman played out right before his eyes. The stop on the way to the ruler of the synagogue's house was to teach a lesson on the value and the ways of faith to one who had a preconceived notion as to how faith works. The Lord knew the child was dead. The messenger came with a word that would cause despair and hopelessness in the father's heart. He had his own idea as to how the desired healing would take place. Faith doesn't make demands because it is placed in a Person and trusts the outcome to His gracious and sovereign will.
In unparalleled sympathy the Lord Jesus speaks words of comfort to the grieving father and insists that only the five men go to the house of mourning. It is possible the distractions of curious and well-meaning people can get in the way of faith in action. The number of people who surround an incident in one's life has nothing to do with the importance of the moment. The laughing, crying, mocking, disbelieving crowd around have to yield to the authority and dignity of the Lord Jesus. When God chooses to work, we must put our faith in Him, and in Him alone. Others may only hinder a work that God intends to do. The father and mother, broken-hearted as they were, are the reason for this miracle of raising this little "lamb-child" from the dead, and bringing her back to the scene of sin and sorrow. The Lord brought her back from the place of comfort to bring comfort to her parents that only she could give.
What joy her request for something to eat would have brought to those parents as she got up off that bed at the touch and voice of the Lord, and walked into the arms of an astounded mother and father. The results of a work of God are not always the same for all people. Some millions of children are taken away to preserve them from the sins of the parents and the society they would have lived in. In sovereign grace God took away thousands of children in times past to save their souls. Perhaps that is why so many millions have been allowed to be taken away even before they are born in this country.
A lot can happen in twelve years of life. A young Carpenter would be working with saw and draw-knife - Assisting His "father" and meeting some needs Knowing His Heavenly Father was with Him pleased.
In another home a child was born bringing parents great joy. They probably taught her using the best methods they could employ That she would grow up to be a person who could be well-used In guiding another generation, in the way she would choose.
At the same time in another home things were breaking apart. Disease had struck a woman who would have a broken heart As she had to leave and from society was ostracized. Year after year passed as her worst fears were realized.
But in one short day those three came together in one place. Two with broken hearts and One filled with amazing grace. A hurting woman in simple faith reaches out a trembling hand, And virtue flowed into her body from a sympathetic Man.
The grief-stricken father standing by watched all this - Not understanding purpose of the lesson learned was to be his - So, he would get his eyes off himself and the sorrow he felt - And in faith he would be able others of the Savior to tell.
The Great “Blesser” was there knowing the heart of each one, He did for the woman what He knew was best to be done. And He taught the anxious man to look away from himself and his need - So, he would then in real faith to the Lord's word give heed.
By the end of that day there would have been great rejoicing. A woman could go back to her family her faith in Christ be voicing. A mother and father and their fully recovered daughter would be eating - As the events of the day and of the Lord's grace they would be repeating.
The Lord Jesus and His disciples would continue on their way. Peter, James and John would never forget this remarkable day - When by His power and authority Jesus raised from the dead A little girl and healed a woman by His virtue and the words He said.
"Father, some days seem very ordinary and others very special. For this day I ask that whatever is Thy will for me, I will do exactly what Thou dost desire. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen."