Monthly Archives: June 2020

THE GOSPEL OF MARK – THE POWER OF THE TALITH

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THE POWER OF THE TALITH

25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.

30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’”

32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in pe Mark 5:25-34 

Despite this seeming interruption, there is a strong connection between these two miracles. Both stories focus on an aspect of the Messiah that is highlighted in Malachi 4:2. Encapsulated in the tassels (tsitsit) of the prayer shawl (talith) is the symbolism of everything that Messiah stood for; God’s name YHWH; God’s Word; God’s nature; and His unity in diversity. Everything that God is, was represented in the tassels.

When the woman with the issue of blood crawled through the crowd to get to Jesus, she had only one thing in mind, “Touch the tassels, touch the tassels.” according to Malachi 4:2, the kanaph – the corners of the talith – came to symbolise Messiah’s wings – the protective covering of God’s presence which represented restoration to wholeness – tekkun olam, fixing everything that was broken to the vanishing point.

The woman wanted to position herself to receive all the benefits that the tsitsit on the kanaph of the talith represented. She fastened her faith in the promise of Malachi’s prophecy.

There was an instant connection with the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus as she touched the tassels, and divine energy surged through her body, restoring everything in her body that was malfunctioning. Jesus knew it, felt it and used the opportunity to reassure her that her faith, although risky because she had violated the Torah by touching someone who was tahor – clean, had made the connection with God’s compassionate power. She had acted on Jesus yoke – His mercy and compassion – and it had paid off.

Jesus also used the opportunity to pave the way for permission to go into the room where the dead child lay. If the people around Him believed that He was tamai – unclean – , He would be permitted to enter her room, otherwise not. They did not know that He could never become tamai because everything He touched became tahor. Once again in the child’s presence, he used the talith to reveal His Messiahship.

THE GOSPEL OF MARK – FROM GRIEF TO JOY

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FROM GRIEF TO JOY

35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat. Mark 5:35-43

After an agonising interruption for the grief-stricken father, Jesus and His disciples moved towards Jairus’ house, surrounded by the ever-present throng. A delegation from Jairus’ house met them with a message that Jairus was dreading to hear, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?” Their words seemed like the cut-off point. Alive – Jesus could still step in and heal her. Dead – she was beyond His reach, so Jairus thought.

I can imagine the strangled cry of grief that escaped from his throat. But this was no time for turning from Jesus, and Jesus was quick to reassure him. I love His words, “Don’t listen to them. Just trust me.” How many times do I need to hear Him say that? It’s always about the choice of, “Whom do I trust?” As this story proceeds, it becomes quite clear who knew what He was talking about and who was proved wrong. Jesus said she was sleeping; they ridiculed Him. They said she was dead.

How did the child’s parents feel at this point? I cannot imagine. They had no experience of ever seeing a dead person live. It all seemed so final and yet; they were about to witness something in their own home that fully satisfied their prophetic expectation – Malachi 4:2 – coming alive before their very eyes. Jesus stepped forward, spread His talith over the child and said, “The Messiah is here. Little girl, get up.” And she did.

What was the significance of Jesus’ cautioning words, “Don’t tell anyone what happened here”? This seems crazy when everyone outside would know that the dead child had come back to life in that room. That was not the issue. The issue was that Jesus’ action was the fulfillment of Old Testament and especially Malachi’s prophecy and they had witnessed it. At that point, He did not want them to broadcast what had happened. People needed to come to faith by being fully convinced themselves that He was Messiah, not because of other people’s faith.

THE GOSPEL OF MARK – DESPERATE SITUATION…DESPERATE MEASURES

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DESPERATE SITUATION…DESPERATE MEASURES

21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him. Mark 5:21-24

35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?”

36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.

After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat. Mark 5:35-43

Once again, the impact of the details of this story jumps out at us. Jesus, ever-popular because He was meeting people’s needs, was back on the Jewish side of the lake. He was thronged by the crowds as He disembarked. One man pushed through the crowd with an urgent plea, Jairus, a man of some importance and influence in the religious community.

Would he have been one of those who opposed Jesus, either because He did not live up to his religious scruples or, because He did not match his expectation of Messiah? Whatever Jairus’ religious stance was, it crumbled in the face of a looming domestic disaster. His twelve-year-old daughter lay dying and he was helpless to do anything about it.

Whatever he believed at that moment meant nothing in the face of this impending loss. He knew what Jesus had been doing in his region and he had seen the effects of His presence among his people. And, miraculously, Jesus was right there then. Flinging every caution to the wind, he pushed through the crowd to Jesus and begged for help.

It’s funny how our own scrupulous belief system falls apart in the face of desperate need. When the chips are down, our carefully constructed doctrinal, protective castle collapses and we run, screaming, to Jesus. Even those who have argued or reasoned their way into atheism, cry out to God in a crisis. Why is that? Is it because fear or despair melts all our antagonism towards God and we stand naked before Him with our broken hearts, knowing instinctively that He is the only one who can help us?

Jairus was no longer the synagogue ruler, but a desperate father, crying out to the only one who had the power to help him. His need immediately connected him with Jesus’ compassion and He set out with him to his home where his child was slipping away from him beyond his voice and his touch.

THE GOSPEL OF MARK – “GO HOME AND TELL…”

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“GO HOME AND TELL…”

18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” 20 So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. Mark 5:18-20

A tense situation – the demon-possessed man had once been a danger to the people of the region. He was wild, violent and unpredictable. No-one could go near him as he roamed the area, emitting eerie screams and moans and mutilating himself in his torment and despair. Now he was sane, calm, clothed and ready to return home as a useful member of society.

However, his fellow Gadarenes were suspicious and ill-disposed towards him because of their lost pigs. Was this part of the reason why he begged to go with Jesus? Was he seeking safety in company with Him and His disciples? Was he afraid of the repercussions of his deliverance? Gently and reassuringly, Jesus urged him to return to the environment where he had lost his sanity. In spite of their hostility, what an impact his story would have on his people! His kind of cure was no everyday event.

Possibly reluctantly, he turned homeward while Jesus and His men set sail across the lake again. How long had it been since he had walked the streets of his home town, stopped to exchange a greeting with his fellow citizens? Slowly their anger turned to curiosity and finally their interest to sympathy and friendliness as he told his story over and over again to whoever would listen.

The people’s hostility to Jesus began to wane as they saw Him in another light. They felt the man’s torment, his rage, his terror as demonic voices accused, taunted, sneered at him day and night. They saw the scars on his body, his gaunt appearance from years of starvation; they watched him slowly regain his health, his place in the family and in the community. Jesus, a Jew from across the lake, had come to release him from all his pain and give him back his life. Who was this man? Why did He come? Was it really His fault that they lost the pigs? Hearts began to soften as the full impact of this man’s new-found freedom played out before them.

THE GOSPEL OF MARK – EVEN THE PIGS PERISHED!

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EVEN THE PIGS PERISHED!

11 A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus, “Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them.” 13 He gave them permission, and the impure spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

14 Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man—and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region. Mark 5:11-17

It seems that the madman first spoke for the demons, and then they spoke for themselves. Their very plea not to be sent away is proof of Jesus’ absolute authority over them. It also shows how foolish they were. They requested to be relocated into the pigs, not realising that their presence would drive the pigs crazy just as they had driven the man crazy. According to Jesus, evil spirits roam around looking for a host body, in this case pigs but, once again, the demons were homeless because their new hosts were dead!

In the meantime, the delivered man became a momentary celebrity. The news of his deliverance spread around the region faster than a bush fire. Everyone wanted to see him and hear his story – over and over again. There he was, as sane as any of them, just as they had heard about him. And there was Jesus, the man responsible for this dramatic change! Did He say anything, preach, teach, or explain? Probably not! The man himself was enough of a witness without any explanations.

But there was something else as well. A herd of dead pigs floating in the lake awoke them to the economic disaster this man’s healing had caused. Their anger and panic over lost income overrode their awe at this amazing event. Instead of rejoicing with the man and his family over his restoration, they drove Jesus out of the region just in case He did any more damage to their already depleted resources.

I wonder what would have happened to their economy had they believed in Jesus and turned their lives over to Him. Since He promised never to diminish us (Psalm 23:1) losing their pigs would have ultimately been to their benefit.

But there was one hope left for this region – the newly-sane man. What impact would his freedom have on his people? How would his deliverance change a hostile mob?