He helps me

 

 

Read:  Psalm 28 and Mark 5

 

S.O.A.P.

Scripture – Observation – Application – Prayer

 

S:  The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and He helps me.  Psalm 28:7a

 

O:  Today in the Gospel of Mark Jesus helped three people.

 

1.       The man with the unclean spirits

2.     A woman who had been sick for many years

3.     A young girl of 12 who had died and Jesus brought her back to life

 

In yesterday’s passage Jesus had told his disciples they were going to cross the lake.  We read how a storm came up and the disciples doubted that they were going to make it to the other side.  Today’s passage opens up with these words, “They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes.”  So the first thing we note is that they made it across just as Jesus had said they would. 

 

The word translated Gerasenes is also known in some translations as Gadarenes meaning “reward at the end”.  This is a region located off the Lake of Gennesaret east of the Jordan.

 

Jesus had special works of healing to do there – he had three appointments which drew him to this region.  His first appointment was at “the tombs” (verse 2) where he met a man who lived his life by himself in the mountains and the tombs (verse 5).  He was alone.  He cried.  He hurt himself often.  Jesus saw past the exterior of this man and dealt straight with the unclean spirit(s) that had been torturing him for so long.  After meeting Jesus this man was left in his right mind.  That word is sophroneo – to be of sound mind, to be self-controlled, to be sane, to be sober minded, to be safe.  Some of you reading this today know of people who need this kind of healing in their life.  Before meeting Jesus this man was “krazo” is the literal Greek word.  He would cry out loudly or scream or shriek or call out loudly.  He would hurt himself physically and he was alone and no other person could help him.  They even tried to chain him up to possibly protect his own self and others, but there was no help for him UNTIL he met Jesus, the Son of the Most High God.

 

Next Jesus departed from there and went on to his next appointment where he met Jairus and his daughter who was sick.  On his way to meet Jairus’ daughter, a woman came seeking healing from Jesus and she reached out in faith and touched the tzit-tzit on the garment of Jesus cloak.  This woman was so desperate to be healed.  She tried EVERYTHING!  She spent all her money and visited many doctors, but there was no healing found in those places, UNTIL she met Jesus!

 

Jesus continued on to the third appointment at the home of Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue.  As they approached the house they were given the sad news that she had died, to which Jesus replied, “Be not afraid, only believe.”  Jesus came to her bedside and took her hand and instructed her to “Arise” and she got up and walked.  This little girl was sick and had died, UNTIL she met Jesus.

 

A:  Meeting Jesus changes lives!  He puts us in our right minds, He restores our health even when no one else, even doctors, do not have the answers and He restores life to us physically and spiritually.

 

 

 

P:  Our Father in Heaven, Thank You LORD that You have the power to do what no one else can do for us!  Thank You that when we come face to face with Your glory and power that we can be changed and healed and given new life!  Help us Father to recognize the many ways You work in our life and to be ready and able to give a testimony for the wonderful ways You have healed and restored us.  Father I pray for those who are sick and need healing in their minds and in their bodies.  Father there are several people who come to mind that need Your healing touch.  Father I pray that You would meet them in very real ways and touch their lives and bring healing to them and their families.  Let all those who see and hear of their healing be amazed by You!  We need not be afraid, but only BELIEVE!  Through Christ I pray, Amen & Amen.