Luke 8:40-56

PHYSICALLY: Jewish Man

Average Height & Weight

Wasn’t Rich.

Not of “noble” birth.

Wasn’t widely traveled.

No Academic Awards

Not a CEO.

Probably wouldn’t even “vote” for Him.

PHYSICALLY:

And about the time you and I hit our stride, 33-34 yrs. of age, he was already dead (Crucified).

As far as His generation was concerned, the trouble-maker was a criminal who died on a cross for “misleading the nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar.” (Lk. 23:1-2)

SPIRITUALLY: Son of God

Son of Man

Son of David

The Incarnate Word

Lamb of God

Christ/Messiah

The Savior

Alpha and Omega

The Bridegroom

Head of the Church

Lion of Tribe Judah

Word of God

King of Kings

Lord of Lords

Many More…

JESUS, MAN OF JOY by Sherwood E. Wirt

“Two thousand years ago there appeared on this planet a Person who brought about an astonishing change in the quality of life among human beings. Whatever this Person had, it was unique. It set Him apart and made Him utterly fascinating to others. For a few brief years He appeared in the villages and towns of Palestine, which at the time were under Roman occupation. Then He disappeared, although some of His close followers claimed they had reason to believe He was — and is — still around…

JESUS, MAN OF JOY by Sherwood E. Wirt

Certain remarkable actions have been attributed to Him, although He Himself wrote no epics and raised no monuments. In early youth He seems to have worked with His hands. Later He taught, prayed, and healed, as many prophets had done before Him and have done since then. Yet, a billion human beings today claim to be His followers, and most of them are convinced that He is the Author of their personal salvation. So, if there was/or is "something special" about Him, in what did it consist?”

Four Things Even Non-Christians Admire

#1 – He FINISHED what He started.

Four Things Even Non-Christians Admire

#1 – He FINISHED what He started.

#2 – He SAW THE SPIRITUAL POTENTIAL in others…

Four Things Even Non-Christians Admire

#1 – He FINISHED what He started.

#2 – He SAW THE SPIRITUAL POTENTIAL in others…

#3 – He remained a MAN OF JOY…

Four Things Even Non-Christians Admire #1 – He FINISHED what He started.

#2 – He SAW THE SPIRITUAL

POTENTIAL in others…

#3 – He Remained a MAN OF JOY…

#4 – He GENUINELY CARED

about people.

No Little People:

In Jesus’ eyes;

“No one is ever too little,

no one is ever too lost.”

“And as Jesus returned, (from his healing of the man with the legion of demons) the multitude welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him.

41 And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was an official (leader)of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus' feet, and {began} to entreat Jesus to come to his house;

42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying…”

When our kids are sick, we are sick, emotionally.

When they are critically ill, we are critically concerned.

Jairus’ daughter was dying.

Jewish

“Official/Patron” in the Synagogue

Rich (But still in NEED!)

Risking his position in Synagogue/Society

Risking Possible Defilement (of his home)

BUT HE LOVED HIS DAUGHTER!

But as He went… (*Interruption) the multitudes were pressing against Him. (So He is literally surrounded by people, and

folks are jostling Him about). 43 And a woman who had a hemorrhage for

twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone…

12YEARS

For essentially the same 12 years that this little girl has been bringing light and joy and happiness into her parents life, this poor woman has been experiencing 12 years of discouragement and shame. In addition to her physical condition, her anemia, and all of the associated clinical issues, there are the social issues…

12YEARS

43-44 - And [the] woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, [which no one was able to heal], came up behind Jesus, and touched the fringe/tassel/ or ”hem” of His garment ; and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.

"Who is the one who touched Me?"

“Someone DID touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.”

And when the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, (*Ever have to admit something embarrassing in public?) And (she also told of) how she had been immediately healed.

48 And Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."

FEARS

49 While He was still speaking, someone came from {the house of} the synagogue official, saying, "Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.“

50 But when Jesus heard {this,} He answered him, "Do not be afraid {any longer;} only believe, and she shall be made well."

52 Now they were all weeping and lamenting for

her; but He said, "Stop weeping, for she has not died, but is asleep.”

And jumping down to v. 53

And they {began} laughing at Him,“knowing”

that she had died.

John 11:11 – This He said, and after that He said to them, "Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I go, that I may awaken him out of sleep.“ (Death)

1 Cor. 15:20 – But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. (Resurrection)

40 And they {began} laughing at Him. But

putting them all out, He took along the child's father and mother and His own companions, and entered {the room} where the child was.

41 And taking the child by the hand, He said to her, "Talitha kum!" (which translated means, "Little girl, I say to you, arise!").

42 And immediately the girl rose and {began} to walk; for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded.

NO!

Extraordinary, YES!

Amazing, YES!

Astonishing, YES!

BUT NOT UNBELIEVABLE!

Something to Realize:

Jesus is not a character in a book, He is not a stained glass icon, He is a very real and personal Savior. And He cares about you. Like the little girl and women who were both ill, Jesus offers real peace and real comfort to those who seek His Spiritual Healing.

Something to Refuse:

To see only with your eyes, but choose to see with your Faith. For Jesus’ people, His grace, His mercy, His salvation, ARE our Life. His promises ARE NOT unbelievable to us…

Obey His Gospel & be SPIRITUALLY healed. Obey His Gospel and live forever in Heaven.

Something to Remember:

The world may be laughing now. They may not believe that Jesus is Lord, but their laughter will one day be turned to tears when they discover they have rejected Jesus, the ONLY HOPE of all mankind, and the ONLY SAVIOR of all mankind.

6 And He said to me, "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.

7 "He who overcomes shall inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son [or daughter]… "

Listen carefully… 8 "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and

abominable and murderers and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part {will be} in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death. "

(NO AWAKENING – NO RESURRECTION)

In the words of the Apostle John –

Jn. 20:31 -"… these have

been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have [eternal] life

in His name. "

One by the flesh (natural birth) One by FAITH (in Jesus as Lord)

Today we are “BORN AGAIN” at Baptism INTO

the Family of God (Church). (Jn. 3:3-5; Gal. 3:27; Acts 2:47)

ARE YOU “IN” THE FAMILY? (Church)

HAVE YOU BEEN “BORN-AGAIN”? (Baptized) ARE YOU A “SON OR DAUGHTER OF GOD”?