It's Not Over

It’s Not Over

Matthew 9:18-26

Intro: And the winner is?!

Often, determinations as to the outcome of a situation are based upon what we see. When score is mounting up against us, when time is running out, or the
odds seem uneven at best; the easiest response is to conclude that things are going to work out well, it’s likely over.

This morning we are going to study the story of two individuals who have the odds stacked against them. Time for them is running out, determinations had
been made that indicated likely outcomes, however, both pursued Jesus for a different determination.

Read: Matthew 9:18-26

Jesus was in the middle of being questioned as to His reasoning for sitting and eating with tax collectors and sinners, also, His reasoning for not observing
the unnecessary man-made religious customs of His day. While He was being questioned, a man desperately brings his situation to Jesus as his daughter
was near death. The diagnosis and determination had been made that she was near the end, however, he had heard about a man named Jesus and endeavored
to give Him the final say.

In our lives, there are many diagnosis, determinations and decisions made based upon logical conclusions. But no matter what the “many” might say, what
conclusions may have been spoken, or assumed; Jesus will surely have a different conclusion, regardless of how things may seem on the surface, it’s
not over.

I.Let Jesus Have the Final Say

Luke 8:41-42, And there came a man named Jairus, and he was an official of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus’ feet, and began to implore Him to come to his house; for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying.

• Jairus was a synagogue official. This being the case, he was a part of the religious leadership that often opposed Jesus.

• Jairus was a well-known religious leader, with power and influence in the Jewish community.

• As a ranking member of the Jewish religious establishment, which would have included scribes, and Pharisees, Jairus would have been well aware of the
  strong opposition that was developing amongst the religious elite toward Jesus.

• Despite his awareness, he had become painfully aware of the reality that his daughter, only 12, was near death.

• Neither his rules, not his political allies could save his daughter. Understanding that there was no one to turn to, he realized that his only option
  was to get to Jesus and give Him the final say. 

Mark 5:23-24, My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live. And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him.

• Jairus wanted to get to his daughter as quickly as possible, but, as they began their journey a large crowd followed. They were pressing in, many wondering
  what would happen next. 

Amongst the crowd that followed, was “a woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years” (Matthew 9:20)

• Her illness not only caused chronic discomfort, but also prohibited her from participating in public activities and temple worship because she was
  considered “unclean” (Leviticus 15:25-27). 

Mark 5:26, [This woman] had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse.

• Every monetary resource she had was expended on her search for a medical solution to her affliction. 

• Traditional medicine had failed her. She was now without monetary resources, without the support of friends due to her title as “unclean,” and without
  hope.

• Her constant hemorrhaging for 12 years would place her in a constant condition of ceremonial uncleanness.

• Like Jairus, she had heard about a man named Jesus, who was going throughout the region teaching, preaching and healing every kind of sickness among
  the people (Matthew 4:23). 

• While the crowd surrounded Jesus on His way to Jairus daughter, she made her way into the crowd toward Jesus in order to give Him the final say. 

Illus. A doctor’s diagnosis.

• Whatever diagnosis may have been made over your life, there is something that Jesus has to say about it…Are you willing to give Him that final
  say? 

Matthew 11:28-30, Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

A.Pursue what faith in Him can do

Matthew 9:20-21, The woman came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak; for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will get well.” But Jesus turning and seeing her said, “Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well.” At once the woman was made well.

• She was in dangerous territory, being that Capernaum was not large, she ran the risk that someone might shout “unclean” as she wove her way through
  the crowd to get to Jesus.

• She had been deemed incurable, unclean, and had to fight her way through the crowd to get to Jesus, but she knew that He was the One who could help
  her. 

• Verse 21, for she was saying to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will get well.” The way this reads in the
  original language: “she kept saying to herself,” which gives the idea of repetition in pursuit of Jesus.

• For her, Jesus was her last resort; for you and I, may He always be where we go first. 

Jeremiah 29:13, You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Matthew 7:7, Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Illus. There’s nothing you can do. An unpayable debt.

• While He was her last resort, she knew He was her only hope.

• There was a large crowd pressing in around Jesus, and this woman sought Jesus, only wanting to touch the bottom edge of His outer garment.

• She may have feared that Jesus would not touch her if He knew her condition, perhaps thinking that if Jesus knew she was unclean He would not take
  the risk on her.

• As she made her way through the crowd and touched the fringe of His outer garment, she was healed of her affliction (Mark 5:29). 

In Mark 5:30-34, Jesus asked a question, “who touched Me?” 

• The answer seemed obvious to His disciples…Jesus, there is a crowd surrounding and pressing in on you and you are asking who touched You?

• Many were pressing in and touching Jesus, He was surrounded, but there was a major difference between the crowd pressing in and the woman who reached
  out to Him…She reached out to Him with faith, believing that He was the One who could bring about her healing and restoration.

• There is a difference between being around Jesus and seeking after Him by faith that He is the very solution to your deepest need.
  

Acts 4:12, And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.

Ephesians 2:8, For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.

• Throughout scripture, we see “faith in Jesus,” used alongside belief in Jesus as Savior. Romans 3:22-23, says that the righteousness of God is given
  through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.

• Belief in Jesus is not simply understanding and believing certain facts surrounding His existence. 

• It is the faith and belief that I can rely on and trust in those facts. 

Illus. What’s the weight limit?

Illus. Have a seat!

Mark 5:34, And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.

• Jesus didn’t turn her away or condemn her. He hadn’t called her out to embarrass her, rather to reassure her…That though at one point she may
  have thought it was over, she had a new beginning.

• Through her faith in Jesus, she was welcomed in, no longer separated, excluded or to be avoided, she was a child of God. 

John 1:11-12, He came to His own, and those who were His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.

A.It’s not too late

• While Jesus is addressing this woman, people came to announce to Jairus that His daughter had died, and told him there was no need to bother Jesus
  any longer.

• While we don’t know what was going through his head at this particular time, we do know that he had beckoned Jesus on a time sensitive pursuit to touch
  and heal his daughter. 

Mark 5:36, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.”

Matthew 9:23-25, When Jesus came into the official’s house, and saw the flute-players and the crowd in noisy disorder, He said, “Leave; for the girl has not died, but is asleep.” And they began laughing at Him. But when the crowd had been sent out, He entered and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. This news spread throughout all that land.

• Upon arriving to the home, there are flute players and a crowd of mourners in a noisy disorder. 

• Funerals were characterized by loud wailing and mourning from hired professional mourners and musicians.

• Even the poorest families would hire at least two flute players and one wailing woman. If a person had greater wealth, there would be more hired mourners.

• Jesus sees the crowd of mourners, and immediately tells them to leave, the girl has not died, she is asleep.

• Everyone in the room knew that physically, the girl was dead.

• The “professionals” in the room who were there mourning, quickly began laughing at Jesus’ statement, believing there was nothing He could do for this
  girl.

• When Jesus is about to do what only He can in your life many voices will be present at the scene…

• Whenever Jesus wants to work in your life, or in the midst of your situation, there will be doubters. They laughed there way all the way out the
  door. But with Jesus, there was no room for their doubt.

Illus. And He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief…Matthew 13:58.

• Taking her by the hand, Jesus said “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”. Immediately the girl got up and began to walk (Mark 5:41-42). Showing
  His power over death that would soon be conquered for all.

1 Corinthians 15:57, But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Upon hearing his daughter had passed, Jairus could have pushed Jesus away…But instead of doing so, He trusted Jesus when He said “do not
  be afraid, only believe.” When Jesus is in it, it’s not over.

Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

Matthew 9:18-26 

Matthew 9:18-26