Mark 5:21-42

      Here in this passage two remarkable miracles are described. The unusual thing about these miracles is that one seems to suspend the performance of the other, but only momentarily. The truth is Jesus can heal the sick and He can raise the dead. He can heal in the street, as He did in the case with the woman with the issue of blood and He can perform just as supernaturally in the home, as He did with Jairus’ daughter. Time nor space does not matter with Him. He transcends all!

     He can minister both to children and adults and to those who have means and titles like Jairus, ruler of the synagogue, and to those without any means or status, the woman with the issue of blood. In Him we see unending love, compassion, and tenderness and in Him none is turned away. He can work on all levels, tending to all needs, no matter what the problem. He is never too busy. On His way to heal Jairus’ daughter who was at the point of death, He takes time out to heal the woman with the issue of blood and then makes her give her public testimony of the healing, no doubt to Jairus’ gnawing frustration.

     The conclusion is, this passage provides insight to His power to heal all diseases and His supreme power over death. In Him, longstanding, chronic ailments can disappear immediately. In Him, death is defeated and life with great vitality is restored (Mark 5:42). When raised from the dead, Mark tells us concerning Jairus’ daughter  – “And straightway the damsel arose and walked. . .” (42). 

     However, what really strikes me as I dissect the passage a little more, is Jairus’ initial approach and response to Jesus. He comes as one in great need, yet as terrifying and as foreboding and as desperate as his situation was,  he does not speak the language of death and dying but the language of life and assurance. He says “… My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed: and she shall live” Mark 5:23. It doesn’t look good but instead of giving up or giving in he turns to Jesus and speaks the language of assurance, “. . . come . . . she shall live” (23). Jairus went to seek help for his daughter, and he found it when he met Jesus and he declared “ . . she shall live!”          

     On this Palm Sunday, may we do just that today – speak the language of life and assurance in spite of. I think we need to let the devil know that we are coming back reinforced and charged up. Somebody needs to shoot the devil an email, “Desist and refrain.” Tell him to back up and back off. Tell him “Cease and Desist!” Send him a warning. Let him know you mean business. He must stop all his illegal activity in your life and over your family. Send him a restraining order. Tell him to stand back and stand down! Tell him move off your property. Send death away! Reinforced by Jesus and His presence, speak authoritatively, positively, and forcefully like Jairus! Speak life and not death! Like Jairus, speak the language of assurance. We do so, all over this Northeast Region on this Palm Sunday – on this one year anniversary of covid-19 – we invoke the power and presence of Jesus all over this land – life and not death!

                                                                 Leroy V. Greenaway
                                                     Regional Bishop – Northeast Region

March 27, 2021

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                                                          PLEASE NOTE

          In collaboration with our District Overseers, the Church of God of Prophecy submits to the wisdom of continuing to ‘Shelter in Place’ for the safety and protection of the flock. This is to be observed until further notice and the present virus is better contained. Should the need arise to meet, we are advised to meet in groups of no more than 10, while we strictly observe the protocols of social distancing, wearing of masks and aggressive sanitizing of our hands and surfaces frequently touched.

          Please let us patiently observe these practices to keep each other safe and alive. We are reminded that we are indeed our brother’s keeper. Stay home! Stay Healthy! Stay Hopeful! We shall soon get through this! Premature re-openings of our churches seem not to be the wisest way to go at this point. Let us continue to pray, caring for each other and staying connected.

Leroy V. Greenaway
Regional Presiding Bishop — Northeast Region