Abraham Kuruvilla | Mark 5:21-43

Summary

In this heartfelt sermon, the speaker recounts the story from Mark 5, where Jesus heals a woman with a hemorrhage and brings a young girl back to life, illustrating the power of faith in the face of disaster. Drawing parallels to the Holocaust and modern challenges, the speaker emphasizes the importance of relying on Jesus during life's hardships. The sermon encourages believers to embody the faith-filled woman, finding solace and strength in Jesus, and to extend the 'touch of Christ' to others in need.

Takeaways

• 🙏 The speaker begins with a prayer for guidance and wisdom to cope with disasters, emphasizing faith in Jesus Christ.
• 📖 The script references Mark chapter 5, verses 21-43, which contains two intertwined stories of disaster and faith.
• 😔 The first story is about a 12-year-old girl suffering from a 12-year-long illness who is healed by Jesus after touching His garment.
• 💔 The second story involves Jairus, a synagogue official whose daughter is dying, and his faith in Jesus to heal her.
• 🚑 The woman with the hemorrhage problem touches Jesus' garment in faith and is healed, demonstrating her trust in Jesus' power.
• 🙅‍♂️ The disciples' lack of understanding and faith is highlighted when they question Jesus about who touched Him.
• 🤔 The speaker uses the story to reflect on the human tendency to question God's presence during times of disaster and suffering.
• 👨‍👧 The faith of both Jairus and the woman with the hemorrhage is emphasized as a model for believers facing their own disasters.
• 👼 The healing of the woman and the raising of Jairus' daughter illustrate Jesus' power over life and death.
• 🤝 The speaker encourages the congregation to seek comfort and healing through the touch and support of fellow believers, embodying Christ's love.
• 🙌 The sermon concludes with a call to action for believers to be the 'skin of Christ,' providing tangible expressions of faith and compassion to those in need.

Q & A

What is the context of the speaker's visit to Southern Baptist Theological Seminaries Chapel?

The speaker is visiting Southern Baptist Theological Seminaries Chapel after a previous visit in March 2020, which was followed by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic that led to the shutdown of the seminary and a global crisis.

What is the central theme of the speaker's message based on Mark Chapter 5?

The central theme of the speaker's message is dealing with disasters and finding hope and faith in Jesus Christ, as illustrated by the stories of Jairus's daughter and the woman with the hemorrhage from Mark Chapter 5.

Who is Elie Wiesel, and what is his significance in the script?

Elie Wiesel was a Nobel Peace Prize winner known for his writings on the Holocaust. He was imprisoned by the Nazis at 16 and endured horrors in concentration camps. His story serves as an example of asking 'Where is God?' in the face of unimaginable evil.

What is the significance of the 'sandwich' structure in Mark Chapter 5?

The 'sandwich' structure in Mark Chapter 5 refers to Mark's narrative technique of starting a story, interrupting it to start another, and then returning to complete the first. This structure is used to highlight the interconnectedness of the two stories of faith and healing.

What are the two disasters mentioned in the script that the speaker asks the audience to consider?

The two disasters mentioned are the personal tragedies and crises people face, such as health scares or loss, and the broader societal or global disasters, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the Holocaust.

What is the role of faith in the stories of Jairus's daughter and the woman with the hemorrhage?

Faith plays a crucial role in both stories as it is the faith of Jairus and the woman that leads to the miraculous healing and resurrection. Their faith in Jesus Christ's power to heal is the central focus of the speaker's message.

What is the significance of the woman with the hemorrhage touching Jesus' garment?

The woman with the hemorrhage touching Jesus' garment signifies her faith in Jesus' healing power. It also represents a breach of social and religious norms, as she was considered unclean, yet her faith leads to her healing.

How does the speaker describe the disciples' lack of understanding in the story?

The speaker describes the disciples' lack of understanding as a form of comic relief, highlighting their naivety and lack of faith in Jesus' sensitivity, compassion, and power.

What is the connection between the woman with the hemorrhage and Jesus in terms of suffering?

The connection is that in Mark's Gospel, the verb 'to suffer' is used only for the woman with the hemorrhage and Jesus, indicating that she is portrayed as closely following in Jesus' footsteps, suffering as he did.

What is the speaker's final call to action for those who are suffering from disasters?

The speaker's final call to action is for those suffering to feel the touch of Christ through their fellow believers, by seeking comfort, support, and prayer from the community of faith.