Jesus for what ails you (Mark 5:25-34)
Gary McManus, 04/07/2013Part of the DCC Basics series, preached at a Sunday Morning service
April 7, 2013 Mark 5:25-34
For those of you of were able to attend worship
at the Sunrise Service and last Easter Sunday,
please be patient while I bring everyone else up to speed.
1 Timothy 1:15 says
Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. . .
We are reminded of this theme in Jesus' crucifixion because two other men died with Jesus on the cross.
All four accounts; Matthew, Mark, Luke AND John
are sure to tell us that there were TWO other men who were condemned to death with Jesus.
There were three crosses that day long ago.
The word the Bible uses to describe these two men; robbers. (or bandits or thieves). The Gospel of Luke refers to these two as criminals or wrongdoers. (habitual criminals, repeat offenders) One might notice that
Jesus considered the Evil One a thief (John 10:10)
Jesus predicted he be mocked. And Jesus was mocked by the crowd, people who passed, the Roman soldiers, Jewish leaders and ONE of the condemned men.
The true criminal mocked with Jesus’ identity:
“ARE YOU NOT the Christ. . .save yourself AND US.” But the other criminal rebukes the mocking criminal. “Do you not fear God? “ Luke 23:40-43 (NIV)
Three crosses; two thieves; two responses to Jesus The mocking criminal it says, “railed at Jesus” The word in Greek is “blaspheme.”
It is defamation! And the criminal is demanding.
In the Greek text his question requires an answer
and then two demands: “save yourself” AND US!
The other criminal REBUKES the first criminal
then the criminal makes a request, WHEN you
come into your kingdom, Jesus, remember me. . .
[I mentioned on Easter that going to paradise
has to do with knowing Jesus.]
Let’s look at today’s text.
All of us.. . .somewhere along the line. .
decided that we needed a doctor.
Somewhere, sometime we decided
That WE WERE NOT WELL.
Remember Jesus’ words (Matthew 9:12, Mark 2:17, Luke 5:31) This woman finally found the right doctor.
Why all this discussion about Jesus and healing
and those who need a physician?
Because the thief on the cross who went to paradise knew that he was sick—he knew he was wrong.
It is possible that there are some here who don’t think that there is anything wrong with you.If so, why are you here? Those who are well, Jesus said, have no need of a physician.
As a Pastor, I can only offer Jesus to the sick.
I can only offer a shepherd to the lost.
I can only offer a new life for those who are tired of their old lives. I can only offer relief for those who are suffering.
If you are just FINE the way you are; I don’t have anything for you. Jesus couldn’t help one criminal. Jesus was able to save the one
criminal who knew he had lived the wrong life.
One final point needs to be made.
Luke ch 23 vs 42:
“Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”
“Remember me” is a prayer.
Joseph; Genesis 40:14 Psalm 25:7, 106:4
Nehemiah; several times, chapter 13
Hannah; 1 Samuel 1, Jeremiah; 15:15
Jesus said, “Your faith has healed you.
Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”
Amen
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