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Jesus and his disciples traveled to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which was a kind of Jewish no-man’s-land as evidenced by the residents’ herd of pigs (v. 11; cf. Deut 14:8). When a demon-possessed man saw Jesus he came near and though he acknowledged who Jesus was he essentially said to Christ, “Don’t bother us, leave us alone, mind your own business” (v. 7). Jesus’ total authority over Satan and demons is demonstrated here. Sadly, eyewitnesses to the miracle wanted nothing to do with Jesus (vv. 14-17), but the former demon-possessed man’s witness and testimony was effective (vv. 18-20).
Jesus then went back to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (v. 21). He was asked by Jairus—a Jewish layman in charge of synagogue activities and upkeep—to come and heal is near-dead daughter (vv. 22-24).
On the way to Jairus’ house, a woman with an incurable bleeding disorder (rendering her unclean and thus unable to live and worship among Jews, Lev 15:25-33) came to Jesus believing that he could heal her if she simply touched him (vv. 25-31). Jesus’ conversation with her showed that because she believed Jesus was the Messiah she was delivered not only from her illness but her sin (vv. 32-34).
Jesus then went to Jairus’ house and by that time the daughter had died, but Jesus encouraged him to believe (vv. 35-36). Jesus raised the girl from the dead (privately, vv. 37-42), and told them not to publicize this lest he be viewed simply as a miracle worker (v. 43).
Truths to Nail Down and Apply
- Human beings are physically powerless before Satan and demons. Demons hate God, and thus seek to destroy humans because men and women are made in God’s image.
- Demons are no match for Jesus, the Son of God.
- When the Lord saves a soul from sin and Satan’s power it is His gracious and merciful work, resulting in total transformation (vv. 15, 19). Have you been saved from sin and Satan’s power? What’s the proof or evidence of that?
- Faith is the one thing needed (vv. 34, 36). Jesus’ encouragement to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; only believe” means “Only believe in Me, that I am the Christ, and I alone can save and deliver from sin and death.”
