43Dat e of My Bi bl e St u dy: _________

RestoresJesus’ miracles remind us that He has power over all things, even death.

Session 4

MARK 5:21-24,35-43MEMORY VERSE: MARK 5:36b

READ Mark 4:35–5:43, First Thoughts (p . 44), and Understand the Context (pp . 44–45) . Highlight

words or phrases that reveal Jesus’ authority and power . Use PACK ITEM 3 (Poster: Jesus’ Authority)

for guidance . Visualize each miracle in the context .

STUDY Mark 5:21-24,35-43, using Explore the Text on pages 45–49 . Examine other verses that

address humble requests and sleep as a metaphor for death (included in the PSG on p . 42) .

PLAN the group time, using ideas under Lead Group Bible Study (pp . 50–51) and More Ideas

(p . 52) . Look for ways to creatively display the names (and possibly photos) of those listed under

Focus Attention on page 50 . Prayerfully develop a teaching plan that will meet the needs of

your group . Refer to the resources at Blog .LifeWay .com/ExploretheBible/Adults/LeaderExtras for

more ideas .

GROW with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog (LifeWay .com/GroupMinistry) .

GATHER the following items: Personal Study Guides; and Pencils and paper for each person .

Prepare to display: PACK ITEM 3 (Poster: Jesus’ Authority); and PACK ITEM 5 (Poster:

“Don’t Tell Anyone”) . Make copies of: PACK ITEM 10 (Handout: Miracles of Jesus in Mark) .

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FIRST THOUGHTSWhat makes someone great? We might think of someone’s skill. We might consider their influence for good: statesman, pastor, or teacher. What about integrity and character as marks of greatness? Perhaps greatness refers to the power that someone wields—what he or she has achieved or how many people are under the person’s authority.

(In PSG, p. 37) Which well-known figures of today do you consider to be great? What are the marks of true greatness? Who have you known who was really great?

UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXTMARK 4:35–5:43

Mark told the story of Jesus’ life and ministry in a way that demonstrated our Lord’s greatness. He did this in a number of ways. For example, he documented that Jesus excelled as a great teacher (1:22; 4:1-2). He also showed Jesus’ power over all things by describing various miraculous healings, nature miracles, and driving out of evil spirits. In chapters 1–5, the following individual miracle accounts show the variety of needy situations that Jesus met head on. These demonstrate His unmistakable greatness and power.

Physical healings:• Simon Peter’s mother-in-law with a fever (1:29-31)

• A man with a serious skin disease (1:40-45)

• A paralyzed man let down through the roof (2:1-12)

• A man with a shriveled hand (3:1-6)

• Jairus’s daughter (5:21-24,35-43)

• Woman with bleeding (5:25-34)

Nature miracles:• Storm on the Sea of Galilee (4:35-41)

Evil spirits driven out:• Man in the Capernaum synagogue (1:21-28)

• Man in the region of the Gerasenes (5:1-20)

The immediate context from which this week’s lesson is taken is Mark 4:35–5:43. In quick succession, Mark described four exceptionally diverse situations in which Jesus showed His power over all things, even death: (1) He calmed a raging storm that terrified experienced sailors, resulting in their questioning exactly what kind of person Jesus was (4:41); (2) He drove

KEY DOCTRINE

God the Son Christ is fully God, fully man, in whose Person is effected the reconciliation between God and man (Gal. 4:4-5).

BIBLE SKILL

Identify the imagery in a verse or passage and discover what it communicates.

In Mark 5:39, Jesus referred to death as sleep. Consider the following verses as well: John 11:11-14 (Lazarus); Acts 7:60 (Stephen); 1 Cor. 15:6,18; 1 Thess. 4:13-15 (Christians). What does the use of sleep as a metaphor for death communicate about the nature of death for a follower of Jesus? How is the imagery of sleep like and unlike bodily death?

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demons from a man, leading the observers to beg Jesus to leave their area (5:17); (3) He healed a chronically ill woman who dared to touch His robe (5:29); and (4) He restored to life a twelve-year-old girl who had died, astounding those who witnessed it (5:42).

EXPLORE THE TEXTWILLING (MARK 5:21-24)

VERSE 21

Jesus’ traveling ministry in and around Galilee involved walking from town to town. He also traveled by boat, zigzagging across the Sea of Galilee from one lake town to the next. Perhaps Simon Peter volunteered the use of his fishing boat, which was based in Capernaum, the town where Jesus was “at home” when He was not on the road (2:1).

If chapters 4–5 are intended as a careful chronological account (which appears to be the case), then we are presented with an example of Jesus’ zigzag travels across the lake. Mark 4:1 describes Jesus’ extensive teaching in parables by the lakeside. That evening, He and His disciples got into the boat to cross to the other side (4:35). After Jesus stilled a harrowing storm, the boat landed somewhere on the eastern shore of the lake, in a non-Jewish region, where He encountered a demon-possessed man. The people there didn’t want Him to stay, so He embarked for the other side, that is, the western or northern shore of the lake.

There must have been something recognizable about the boat Jesus was in, because the people on the shore figured out that Jesus was about to dock. (See Luke 8:40.) Thus, repeating the pattern of popularity that was well established, a large crowd gathered around him. This happened while he was by the sea.

VERSES 22-23

The synagogue was the center of Jewish community life. Animal sacrifices were offered only at the temple in Jerusalem, but Sabbath-day worship and religious instruction happened at the synagogues. The leading official of the synagogue was a ruler or presiding officer who took responsibility for organizing the services. There was also an attendant who was in charge of the Scripture scrolls and perhaps also the building. (See Luke 4:20.) As the leader of one of the Galilean synagogues, Jairus would have been a respected and influential member of the town’s society.

Jesus’ reputation as a healer had obviously reached Jairus. We do not know, however, whether he had previously heard Jesus teach or had other personal contact with Him. Forsaking the dignity of his position, Jairus approached Jesus and fell at his feet. Mark seldom gave the names of people to whom Jesus ministered; the only other example is Bartimaeus (10:46). Does Mark’s mention of Jairus by name suggest that he was later known to the apostles as a follower of Jesus? We do not know.

BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATOR

For additional context, read “Death, A First-Century Understanding,” available digitally in the Spring 2019 Biblical Illustrator for Explore the Bible at LifeWay.com/BiblicalIllustrator.

VERSE 21

21 When Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the sea.

VERSES 22-23

22 One of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet 23 and begged him earnestly, “My little daughter is dying. Come and lay your hands on her so that she can get well and live.”

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The phrase begged him earnestly could also be translated “urged him insistently.” Certainly this wording indicates Jairus’s sincerity as well as his grave need. He was anxious as only a parent whose child is dying can be. He would do anything in order to spare her. She was his only daughter, perhaps his only child (Luke 8:42). Although today we might not consider a twelve-year-old girl (see Mark 5:42) to be a little daughter, we easily understand the father’s usage to reflect endearment. She meant the world to him.

What Jairus wanted, of course, was for his daughter to get well and live. The verb translated get well is the same Greek word typically translated “be saved” (in the theological sense). A form of the same verb is used in 5:28 and 34. Surely Mark meant for this physical healing to be a parable or illustration of spiritual salvation.

VERSE 24

Without hesitation, Jesus went with him. Here is an example of how the Lord responds to those who approach Him with faith. Those who seek Him find help in Him. Faith in Jesus is not mentioned explicitly here (but see 5:36). Yet it’s certainly right to affirm that Jairus’s submission to Jesus and his earnest plea were indications of his faith in Him.

Mark mentioned the large crowd again (see 5:21), this time noting the crush of people around Jesus. This serves as a transition to the account of Jesus’ healing of the woman with the hemorrhage. She had endured for twelve years a chronic bleeding disease, but she had run out of options for healing. She had no one else to turn to who could help, so just like Jairus, she reached out to Jesus. Jesus’ power was so great that she was healed when she touched Jesus’ robe—a rare instance in which Jesus was seemingly unaware that God’s power had gone out from Him. Jesus affirmed the relationship between her faith and His healing power (5:34).

Do you believe Jesus is still willing to help all those who approach Him in faith? Give an example from your own life in which Jesus entered a situation in which you needed His help.

UNDETERRED (MARK 5:35-40)

VERSES 35-36

We don’t know how long the interruption lasted that was caused by the hemorrhaging woman whom Jesus healed (vv. 25-34). We can only imagine that Jairus was frustrated that the crowd impeded their journey and that there had been an unexpected delay. Then Jairus received the worst shock possible. While Jesus was still speaking to the woman, news came from the synagogue leader’s house. The report was devastating: Your daughter is dead. These messengers urged Jairus to quit bothering Jesus. He should

VERSE 24

24 So Jesus went with him, and a large crowd was following and pressing against him.

VERSES 35-36

35 While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue leader’s house and said, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the teacher anymore? ” 36 When Jesus overheard what was said, he told the synagogue leader, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.”

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just go home and prepare to bury his child. We have to wonder whether Jairus’s frustration turned to anger: Why had the woman been healed and his daughter had not been healed?

Jesus knew what He was about to do. Further, He knew that Jairus was afraid. Thus, overhearing what was said, Jesus addressed Jairus’s fear as well as his grief and whatever other emotions were overwhelming him. His first words, Don’t be afraid, were spoken to comfort Jairus. Then He added a challenge: Only believe. Several things stand out. First, the verb form could be translated “keep on believing.” Jesus was asking Jairus to have a continuous faith, a “no-matter-what” faith. Second, Jairus had just witnessed a woman healed and heard Jesus commend her faith as the instrument of healing (5:34). This must have stood out to him as an example: “If she can believe, then surely so can I.” Jesus’ words were not meant to deny the reality of the girl’s death; rather, He was asking Jairus to refuse to accept the finality of her death. The Lord did not tell Jairus what He was about to do, but He did want him to believe that things would end well. Obviously Mark was emphasizing (1) the importance of faith, and (2) Jesus’ power in hopeless situations.

VERSES 37-38

Before the crowd reached Jairus’s house, Jesus halted their movement. He decided to limit those who would accompany Him. Mark recorded two other times in which Jesus looked for privacy in connection with His healings (7:33; 8:23). On this occasion, He allowed only Jairus and three of His disciples, Peter, James, and John to be with Him. On two additional occasions, these were the only disciples to witness a significant event in Jesus’ ministry (9:2; 14:33). Because they witnessed this event, they could testify to Jesus’ power over death even before His resurrection. Because they witnessed Jesus’ transfiguration, they could testify to the heavenly Father’s affirmation of the Son. Because they overheard Jesus’ agony in Gethsemane, they could testify to Jesus’ intense suffering as He received the cup of suffering that was in the Father’s plan for Him.

When Jesus and the small party He permitted to accompany Him came to the leader’s house, they saw the hubbub that had risen inevitably in the presence of an untimely death. As they approached, the sounds of people weeping and wailing loudly became louder. Appropriate ways to express grief vary from culture to culture. These mourners included both immediate friends and family as well as professionals. Written Jewish sources indicate that even the poorest Jews should hire at least two flute players and one wailing woman. (See Matt. 9:23.)

VERSES 39-40

Jesus always had a way of upending expectations. The question He asked the mourners implied that their commotion and weeping were unwarranted. Then He made an astounding assertion: The child is not dead but asleep. The verb translated asleep was used to refer both to literal sleep (including the deep sleep of a coma) as well as a euphemism for death. Thus, Jesus’ words were understood by the mourners to mean, “She’s in a coma.”

VERSES 37-40

37 He did not let anyone accompany him except Peter, James, and John, James’s brother. 38 They came to the leader’s house, and he saw a commotion — people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 They laughed at him, but he put them all outside. He took the child’s father, mother, and those who were with him, and entered the place where the child was.

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But even in those days, it was not difficult to distinguish between a coma and death. They knew that the girl had died. Of course, we know that the mourners misunderstood what Jesus meant. Jesus knew as well as they did the girl had died.

The mourners laughed at him. This seems out of place if they were truly grieving and expressing sorrow for the family. We would have expected them to be upset because Jesus was by all appearances disregarding the family’s sorrow. Their laugh must be understood as the laughter of unbelief. They doubted Jesus’ power to meet this situation.

Jesus put them all outside, an indication of His authority. Jesus typically would not perform miracles in the presence of those who did not believe. (See Matt. 13:58.) The unbelief of these mourners kept them from witnessing Jesus’ great miracle of restoration of life to the dead.

Thus, Jesus allowed only Jairus and his wife (the child’s … mother) to accompany Him and those who were with him (Peter, James, and John) into the place where the child was. Surely the mother had seen her dead daughter there. We can only imagine that Jairus’s heart sank. We can’t imagine what Jesus’ disciples were thinking. How did Jesus’ challenge to “only believe” (v. 36) apply in the presence of death? They were about to find out.

How can you apply Jesus’ words, “Only believe,” to your current life situation? Do you think Jesus is deterred or bound by any unbelief He encounters today? Why or why not?

ABLE (MARK 5:41-43)

VERSES 41-42

When Jesus took the child by the hand, He technically became ritually unclean according to the ceremonial laws of Scripture (Lev. 22:4; Num. 19:9). When He had touched a man with leprosy on an earlier occasion (Mark 1:40-42), He demonstrated that the purity rules were reversed for Him. He was purity itself. Rather than the corpse (and the leper) making Jesus impure, His purity passed into the corpse (bringing life) and into the leper (bringing bodily healing).

Mark recorded the exact words that Jesus spoke in His native Aramaic tongue: •Talitha koum. The use of the original Aramaic wording here points to an eyewitness recollection of the event, almost certainly that of Simon Peter. The translation that Mark provided of the Aramaic words into Greek (in English, Little girl … get up) uses a verb that the New Testament also uses to refer to Jesus’ resurrection as well as the future resurrection of believers, traditionally translated, “rise” or “rise up” (Mark 14:28; 16:6; Rom. 4:24; 1 Cor. 15:35-44). It appears likely that Mark intended the raising of the girl to be a preview of the resurrection of Jesus as well as the future resurrection of believers.

VERSES 41-42

41 Then he took the child by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum” (which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, get up”). 42 Immediately the girl got up and began to walk. (She was twelve years old.) At this they were utterly astounded.

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Already the Gospel of Mark had recorded Jesus’ authority over every kind of disease and over evil spirits. Jesus had also demonstrated His authority to forgive sins. Here, immediately after He spoke, the girl got up and began to walk. She was completely restored from death to life and health without need of a period of recuperation. The explanatory statement about her age is not only an eyewitness detail, it also lets us know that Jairus’s daughter was no infant in arms. She was used to walking and enjoying a typical child’s life. To that she returned.

Of course, what this girl experienced was not a resurrection to eternal life, never to die again. She experienced a restoration to normal bodily existence (as the widow’s son and Lazarus experienced in Luke 7:15 and John 11:44). Presumably, she grew to adulthood and died in old age. Jesus’ resurrection was the first-of-a-kind resurrection to eternal bodily existence. His resurrection was the “firstfruits” for believers who will be resurrected never to die again at His second coming (1 Cor. 15:20).

They were utterly astounded, an expression of extreme emotion—relief, gratitude, and shock. Whatever lingering doubts they may have had about Jesus’ power and greatness were totally gone, although the expression Mark used did not necessarily include belief.

VERSE 43

Jesus warned the parents to keep the details of what happened private, just as He had warned the leper (Mark 1:43). He desired that no one should know about this. Obviously, sooner or later it would become evident that the girl was alive. Jesus wanted the opportunity to get away from the house before the miracle became known. He did not want even larger crowds pressing around Him simply because they thought He was an amazing wonder worker. Further, Jesus did not want His identity and mission as the Messiah to be misunderstood. He did everything He could to steer clear of popular expectations of a Messiah who would royally rule and bring back a golden era to the Jewish people. In His first coming, His purpose was to die as the suffering Servant.

Jesus’ request that food should be brought to the girl accomplished two things. First, it demonstrated Jesus’ concerns for the everyday physical needs of human beings. Who knows how long the girl lay dying without eating? Second, by eating, this would demonstrate to everyone that the girl was really alive.

Mark was concerned to show the indisputable greatness and power of Jesus. One of the ways he did so was to record this amazing account of His restoring to life and health a girl who had died. He has power over all things, even over death.

Assess the following claim: Jesus is able to restore life to His creation. Is this still true? How might this be true in the physical realm? How might it be true in the spiritual realm?

VERSE 43

43 Then he gave them strict orders that no one should know about this and told them to give her something to eat.

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LEAD GROUP BIBLE STUDY

FOCUS ATTENTION (FIRST THOUGHTS)

INTRODUCE: Display the names of people recognized for their influence or achievements (examples: Billy Graham, “Pistol Pete” Maravich, Babe Ruth, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison, Martin Luther King Jr., Sam Walton, and Aretha Franklin. Direct the group to turn to a neighbor and share what these names might have in common. Allow volunteers to share their findings.

EXPLAIN: The individuals listed are easily recognized names because of their influence, integrity, character, power, achievements, or control.

QUERY: Which well-known figures of today do you consider to be great? What are the marks of true greatness? Who have you known who was really great? (PSG, p. 37)

TRANSITION: As we think about true greatness, we find an example of unparalleled greatness in Mark 4:35–5:43 as Jesus demonstrated His authority and encouraged those He touched not to fear but believe.

EXPLORE THE TEXT

MINI LECTURE: Using the information in Understand the Context (pp. 44–45), briefly share the context for the session. Emphasize that prior to the verses in today’s study Jesus demonstrated His power over nature by calming the storm and His power over demonic spirits by healing the man with demons. Direct attention to Pack Item 3 (Poster: Jesus’ Authority) to further enhance understanding of the context for today’s study of Jesus’ power.

TRANSITION: As we began to examine today’s verses, point out that Jesus was now among a Jewish population.

READ: Invite a volunteer to read Mark 5:21-24, while the group listens for what is known about Jairus.

LIST: Write Jairus on a board or chart paper, and identify what’s revealed in the verses regarding Jairus. Provide information on being a leader of the synagogue to enhance understanding of the position, using your study of the information under Verses 22-23 on page 45 of this book.

DISCUSS: How would you describe Jairus’s level of confidence in bringing his need to Jesus? What might hold a person back from confidently approaching Jesus? (PSG, p. 40)

HIGHLIGHT: Lead the group to identify the word in verses 21-24 that illustrates Jairus’s desperate call for help. Use the second paragraph under Verses 21-24 on page 39 of the PSG to explore the meaning behind this word.

EXPLAIN: Briefly share the story of the woman who touched Jesus’ garment in Mark 5:25-34. Highlight the fact that just as Jairus had no one else to turn to who could help, neither did the woman. Share copies of Pack Item 10 (Handout: Miracles of Jesus in Mark) with the group, noting that Jairus and the woman both had great reasons for trusting in Jesus’ power.

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READ: Invite a volunteer to read Mark 5:35-40, while the group listens for how Jairus reacted to the interruption and a devastating message.

GUIDE: Lead the group to add any additional information they learned about Jairus in these verses to the information previously recorded on the board and to consider how Jairus might have chosen to react differently. Reread Mark 5:36.

DISCUSS: In what situations today might Jesus challenge a person to continue to believe? What roadblocks might a person face that could cause them to doubt or give up? (PSG, p. 41)

EXPLAIN: Refer to the PSG (pp. 41–42) for information regarding the customs of the day for mourning. Reinforce that the laughter of the crowd was not amusement but scorn, and that the mockers were removed from the house because they lacked the faith exhibited by Jairus.

STUDY: Direct the group to form small teams and examine the Bible Skill activity (PSG, p. 42) for studying New Testament Scriptures that use sleep as a metaphor for death.

ASK: How did your response to the question at the top of PSG page 43 change from when you first read it this past week to hearing it read aloud today?

READ: Direct the group to read silently Mark 5:41-43 to discover Jesus’ next action.

RELATE: Jesus touched the young girl even though she would’ve been considered ceremonially unclean, and immediately she got up and walked.

DISCUSS: How does Jesus bring life to His creation? What can be pointed to as proof that Jesus gives life today? (PSG, p. 44)

SUMMARIZE: Mark systematically proved Jesus’ authority over many things feared by humans. Recap the four scenarios in Mark 4:35–5:43.

ASK: Why did Jesus give strict orders to the family not to tell what had happened? Use Pack Item 5 (Poster: “Don’t Tell Anyone”) to support this as an example of Jesus’ Messianic purposes.

SHARE: Read from the PSG (p. 44): Jesus knew many people wanted to force Him into a Messianic role that fit their own interpretation, not God’s plan. He sought to avoid that kind of attention so He could focus on what really mattered.

SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE (IN MY CONTEXT)

RESPOND: Call attention to the first question set under In My Context (PSG, p. 45), and lead the group to identify things that keep them from approaching Jesus with their needs.

REVIEW: We began the session with a list of names of many people who would be considered great, but today’s study reveals that unparalleled greatness is found only in Jesus Christ.

EVALUATE: What needs to change in your life for you to approach Him more frequently? (PSG, p. 45)

PRAY: Encourage the group to spend a few moments reflecting on their own lives, and then close in prayer, asking God to help us overcome our doubts and approach Him humbly with our needs.

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PRACTICE• Contact anyone absent from the last group session. Share a summary of the

previous session.

• Prayerfully evaluate your own life to address areas where you might experience doubt, and ask God to give you confidence in those areas.

MORE IDEASFOCUS ATTENTION (FIRST THOUGHTS)

As another option for focusing attention, lead the group to verbalize what they consider most people’s greatest fears. Transition to the Explore the Text part of the study by indicating that Mark 4:35–5:43 reveals how Jesus reassures us in the areas of some of our greatest fears.

EXPLORE THE TEXT

• To supplement the study of Mark 4:35–5:43, distribute paper and a pencils to each person. Lead the group to fold the paper into fourths and draw each scene as you instruct: Read Mark 4:35-41, and in the first quadrant sketch something to represent the storm. Read Mark 5:1-17, and in the second quadrant draw something to represent the drawing out of the demons. As you read the two scenarios recorded in Mark 5:21-43, complete quadrants three and four with representations of the healing of the woman and the restoring to life of the young girl. Label the first quadrant Power Over Nature, the second Power Over Demons, the third Power Over Illness, and the last Power Over Death. Fold the paper in half with the blank side out. Direct the group to write the words “Don’t be afraid. Only believe.” Share that Jesus’ miracles remind us that He has power over all things, even death.

• For further discussion of Mark 5:35-39, direct volunteers to read these verses again and share a time in their lives when they chose to trust Jesus despite overwhelming odds.

SUMMARIZE AND CHALLENGE (IN MY CONTEXT)

Challenge the group to answer the third question set under In My Context on page 45 of the PSG: With your Bible study group, identify places where “death” is at work in our world. What can the group do to bring life to those situations for God’s glory?

SUGGESTED MUSIC IDEA

Prior to the session, write the lyrics for the chorus of “Miracles,” by Kari Jobe, on three sheets of paper. Give the lyrics to three people in the group. To close the session, play the entire song, and then read aloud the verses asking the people with the chorus to read together following each verse.

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