But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”

Mark 5:21-43

 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” Mark 5:36

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus continues to be a commentary-assisted review of Mark 5:21-43, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's third (of three) division (vv35-43): 

• The commentary's title for the third division is "Jesus Has Authority over the Power of Death."
• Noting the mocking Jesus endured by those who laughed at Him (v40), the commentary shares: "[h]ard-core realists who breathe the air of skepticism will always be with us. They will mock our faith in a crucified Jew and ridicule our trust in a God we cannot see. They will laugh at your love for the Savior who has cleansed you of sin’s defilement and given you spiritual life by His atoning work on the cross. Nevertheless, believe. Have faith—not faith in faith, which is spiritual nonsense, but faith in the omnipotent, sovereign Lord Jesus whose authority and power are absolute and know no rival." 
•  Jesus touches the dead girl - taboo according to Old Testament law. 
•  The commentary then asks and responds to five questions similar to the Sword Bible Study Method.  
• "What does this text teach me about God? God honors the faith of all who come to Him through Jesus. Social status, gender, or any other distinction does not matter. God cares for the demon possessed, the man of distinction, the outcast woman, and the little girl who is powerless."
• "What does this text teach me about sinful humanity? Disease and death are realities we must face in our fallen and sinful world."
• "What does this text teach me about Jesus Christ? Jesus cares for the hurting. Jesus does His work on His timetable. When Jesus touches the unclean, they become clean as He takes on their uncleanness. Jesus gives healing and life to those who trust Him as He takes on our diseases and dies our death (Isaiah 53)."
• "What does God want me to know? We can come to Jesus with our request no matter who we are or what we have done. We must come to Jesus in faith, believing and not fearing[.]" 
• "What does God want me to do? God wants you to come to Him with any and every request. God wants you to trust Him regardless of the circumstances or situation."

The application shared in the last bullet from the commentary excerpts is key - all details of our lives are in God's hands - big and small.  He seeks for us to be utterly dependent on Him for all of our needs and we should not take for granted how He provides for all of our needs.  Often our circumstances may tempt us to question whether God is at work or not, but rest assured God is in all things and working all things for good for those who love Him (Colossians 1:15-17, Ephesians 4:6, Romans 8:28). Our fear and anxiety is driven by our lack of faith.  During times of fear and anxiety turn towards Jesus. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves and who knows our circumstances, empathizes with all of our concerns, hears our cries and responds to our cries.  You are good and You love and saved me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[D]o not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

 [D]o not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

I continue pause my study of Zechariah and of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  Today, my preparation to lead Sunday school at my church, where our class is doing a study on prayer based on the book by A Praying Life, moves along.  I pick up today in chapter 7 - Crying "Abba" Continuously, and 8 - Bending Your Heart To Your Father.  As chapter 8 winds to a close - it emphasizes how anxiety should drive us to prayer as it is "relentless."  As anxiety never rests we should be driven to relentlessly seek Christ in prayer - we are encouraged to read the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-7) as Jesus shares how "God give[s] justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night[.]" Hannah's (1 Samuel 1) weeping and praying also should encourage us to let anxiety power our prayers. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father, I am utterly and completely dependent on You and can do nothing without You.  Help me be in constant awareness of this and how so full of grace You are for me and I seek that this love You have for me should of course animate me to love, worship, and praise You constantly but also love others because this is what pleases You and I seek to please You.  Thank You for the many blessings You pour out for me but I am undeserving.  My sin is great and it continues..daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.