Jesus Uses His Power to Help

Mark 4:35-41; 5:35-43

GOLDEN TEXT: “Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?”—Mark 4:40

OUTSTANDING in the life of Jesus is His ministry of love and helpfulness toward those in need. There are other details of His ministry, such as His rebuking the Pharisees; His resistance of temptation; His habits of prayer, etc.; but recurring more often than any thing else in the Gospels are the stories of how He used His time and strength to help others. Today’s lesson is the second of the month in which this phase of the Master’s life is brought to the fore.

Jesus’ faithfulness in ministering to others was not without the depletion of His own strength. Our present lesson tells of an attempt to separate from the crowd, for a much needed rest. The multitude was sent away, while Jesus and His disciples embarked in a ship to the opposite side of the lake. That His labor of love had sapped the Master’s strength is evident from the fact that, once in the ship, He fell asleep so soundly that even the severity of a storm on the lake did not awaken Him. The disciples, fearing that their ship would be wrecked, awakened their Lord and chided Him for lack of interest in their welfare.

Jesus arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, “Peace, be still.” “The wind ceased,” we are told, “and there was a great calm.” Later the disciples, discussing the incident, inquired, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” It meant much to them that their Master had the necessary power at His command to perform miracles of this nature, but it should mean much more to His followers now.

Today the raging waves of human passion are mountain-high, being stirred up by the winds of strife, dissatisfaction, and unrest. The hearts of men are “failing them for fear” as they look forward to the things coming upon the earth, just as Jesus said would be the case during the early period of His second presence. (Luke 21:26) But not so with true believers. “We will not fear,” says the prophet, “though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.”—Psalm 46:2,3

And what is it that makes the difference now between believers and non-believers? It is simply that believers have faith in Him who rides the storm with them. Those today who have faith in the divine plan as it centers in Christ know that He is at the helm and that miracle-working power is again to be used, this time to establish the long-promised Kingdom of peace and thereby subdue the raging passions of human selfishness. Their confidence is in the near-fulfillment of God’s own promise that He will soon say, “Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10) It is through Christ, now present to establish His Kingdom, that this voice of authority will be heard and obeyed among the nations.

The joys of faith go far beyond the blessed assurance that a Kingdom of peace is soon to be established in the earth. Through Christ an even greater boon awaits the human race; namely, a restoration of those who have been lost in death. It is this great hope that is brought to our attention in the second section of today’s lesson.

The awakening of Jairus’ daughter from the sleep of death is a meaningful and comforting illustration of how the power of the Christ will yet be exercised to call forth all the dead from the tomb. “Marvel not at this,” Jesus said on another occasion, “for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear His voice, and shall come forth.”—John 5:28,29

As Jesus approached the home of Jairus a messenger ran out announcing that it was too late to do anything as the daughter was dead. Jesus heard this, and bade Jairus not to be afraid, but to believe. Entering the house He counseled those present, saying, “Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepth.”—Mark 5:39

But “they laughed Him to scorn,” the account tells us. Evidently the hired mourners, friends and relatives thought Jesus had made an incorrect diagnosis of the case. They knew the maiden was dead, and with the wisdom Jesus was reputed to possess it is little wonder they made light of His opinion. But Jesus was not referring to ordinary sleep. He knew the girl was dead, but because He also knew that she would not remain dead, He referred to her condition as a sleep.

There is an expectancy of an awakening for those who are sleeping, hence sleep is a beautiful symbol of Adamic death, because as all in Adam die, so all in Christ are to be made alive; hence the Scriptural expression of those who “sleep in Jesus.” (I Cor. 15:22; I Thess. 4:14) All mankind are thus sleeping, and will continue to sleep until awakened by divine power. What a glorious hope this is for those who can believe God’s promises!

QUESTIONS:

What is one of the outstanding features to be noted in the ministry of Jesus?

When and how will lasting peace be brought to the nations?

Why did Jesus say that Jairus’ daughter was sleeping?

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