The Word for Today with Ray: May 2021

Monday, May 31, 2021

Talitha Cumi - Mark 5:41

Mark wrote how Jesus was on the way to Jairus' house because his daughter was dying. Along the way a woman with an issue of blood came behind Jesus and was determined to be healed if she only touched His clothes. She was healed and Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go in peace, and be whole of your plague.” Mark continued with the words, “While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Your daughter is dead: why trouble you the Master any further?As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he said unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he said unto them, Why make you this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleeps. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he took the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entered in where the damsel was lying”, and in chapter five and verse forty-one of his book, Mark writes how Jesus, “took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi” where we read:

And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi;

which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto you, arise.

The verse reads, “And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi;” Mark began with the words, “and he took the damsel” or “and Jesus grasped the little girl” “by the hand” which means “by her physical hand”, “and said unto her” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed to the little girl”, “Talitha cumi” which means “maiden or young girl rise up”. Mark shared how Jesus took the “little girl” by her hand and told her to “rise up”.

The verse goes on to say, “which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto you, arise.” Mark added the words, “which is” which means “that is”, “being interpreted” or “being translated into the language of one with whom a person wants to communicate”, “Damsel” which means “little girl”, “I say unto you” or “Jesus utters, declares and proclaims to the little girl”, “arise” or “arouse from sleep, awake and be recalled from death to life”. Mark shared the meaning of the phrase Jesus declared to the “little girl” which means “little girl, be aroused and recalled from the dead”.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus needed only to “say” the word and this “little girl” would be made alive again. Jesus has power over “death”, and just because others thought this was the “end” for the “damsel”, Jesus had another plan. God knows every person will one day “die”, (“as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” - Hebrews 9:27), and His desire is to provide “everlasting life” for them through “faith and trust” in His Son Jesus. Jesus is able to “raise the dead”, and those who have a personal relationship with Him, “though he were dead, yet shall he live” with Him forevermore. (See John 11:25)

Next time Mark shares how, “straightway the damsel arose”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

Jesus Laughed to Scorn - Mark 5:40

Mark wrote how Jesus was on the way to Jairus' house because his daughter was dying. Along the way a woman with an issue of blood came behind Jesus and was determined to be healed if she only touched His clothes. She was healed and Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go in peace, and be whole of your plague.” Mark added the words, “While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Your daughter is dead: why trouble you the Master any further?As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he said unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he said unto them, Why make you this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleeps”, and in chapter five and verse forty of his book, Mark wrote how the people in the house, “laughed him to scorn” where we read:

And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he took the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entered in where the damsel was lying.

The verse reads, “And they laughed him to scorn.” Mark began with the words, “and they laughed him” or “and the people who were weeping and mourning within Jairus' house derided and laughed down Jesus” “to scorn” which means “to ridicule and derision”. Mark shared how the people within the house who were “mourning” began to “deride” Jesus to the point of “ridicule”.

The verse continues, “But when he had put them all out, he took the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entered in where the damsel was lying.” Mark added the words, “but when” which means “nevertheless, moreover and at the time and moment” “he had put them all out” or “Jesus drove out and expelled all the people who were mourning”, “he took the father and the mother of the damsel” which means “Jesus led the father and mother of the young little girl”, “and them that were with him” which refers to “Peter, James and John”, “and entered in where the damsel was lying” or “and came into the room where the young little girl was reclining and lying down”. Mark shared how Jesus expelled all the people in the room except the “little girl's” mother and father and His three disciples “Peter, James and John”.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus wanted everyone except those who were most important in the room with the little girl. Though others there were attempting to commiserate with the family, Jesus knew only He, His disciples and the father and mother of the “damsel” needed to be in the room at that time. Jesus had a plan to “save” the “little girl” which included clearing the room of all the people who were not needed by Him either to help or observe. God desires to “save” every person who will yield their life to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”, and those who are wise will not only follow His lead, but also submit to Him and His plan to rescue them from sin's penalty of “death”.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus, “took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Why Make You This Ado? - Mark 5:39

Mark wrote how Jesus was on the way to Jairus' house because his daughter was dying. Along the way a woman with an issue of blood came behind Jesus and was determined to be healed if she only touched His clothes. She was healed and Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you whole; go in peace, and be whole of your plague.” Mark went on to write, “While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Your daughter is dead: why trouble you the Master any further?As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he said unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly”, and in chapter five and verse thirty-nine of his book, Mark wrote how Jesus asked, “why make you this ado, and weep?” where we read:

And when he was come in, he said unto them, Why make you this ado, and weep?

the damsel is not dead, but sleeps.

The verse reads, “And when he was come in, he said unto them, Why make you this ado, and weep?” Mark began with the words, “and when” or “and at the time and moment” “he was come in” which means “Jesus entered and came forth into Jairus' house”, “he said unto them” or “Jesus uttered, declared, proclaimed and questioned toward the people who were making the tumult, wailing and crying”, “why make you this ado” which means “for what reason and cause do you produce and provide this noise, uproar, disturbance, trouble and confusion”, “and weep” or “and crying, mourning, lamenting and bewailing”? Mark shared how Jesus asked all the people causing the “tumult” why they were making all this confusion, disturbance and uproar.

The verse goes on to say, “the damsel is not dead, but sleeps.” Mark continued with the words, “the damsel” which means “the young little girl” “is not dead” or “is not perished, slain or lifeless”, “but sleeps” which means “nevertheless, moreover and the girl has dropped off to sleep”. Mark shared how Jesus told the people who were “wailing” the girl was simply “sleeping” and not “dead” as they supposed.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see a difference between the way Jesus saw this girl's state versus the way the people saw her. They deemed her to be “lifeless and without breath”, and Jesus saw her and simply “sleeping”. Perspective is of utmost importance in this situation, and because Jesus was able to see things from an “eternal” perspective, He saw the “damsel” as “asleep”. God sees all of time in one glance, and when situations seem dire, He has a different estimation and solution. God's desire is to “save” every person from “sin's” penalty which is “death”. Those who believe and trust in His Son Jesus shall be forgiven for their sins and eternal death promised to them shall be replaced with “everlasting life”.

Next time Mark shares how the people in the house, “laughed him to scorn”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

A Tumult of Weeping and Wailing - Mark 5:38

And he came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue,

and saw the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

The verse reads, “And he came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, ...” Mark began with the words, “and he came” or “and Jesus approached and appeared” “to the house” which means “at the dwelling place and abode” “of the ruler” or “belonging to the overseer of the synagogue whose name was Jairus” “of the synagogue” which refers to “pertaining to the sacred worship center for religious practices such as the reading and teaching of the law”. Mark shared how Jesus entered the home of Jairus who was the “overseer” of the “synagogue”.

The verse continues, “... and saw the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.” Mark added the words, “and saw the tumult” which means “and noticed, perceived, discovered, discerned and beheld the noise, uproar and people wailing with a clamorous and excited manner”, “and them that wept” or “and the people who cried aloud, mourned and lamented in grief” “and wailed greatly” which means “lamented, clanged and vociferated loudly”. Mark shared how Jesus observed the great mass of people who were “weeping and wailing” over the death of Jairus' daughter.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see how there was a crowd gathered at Jairus' home who were “crying loudly” and “wailing” over his “daughter's” death. This demonstrative display was normal for them as they often hired professional “wailers” were to express extreme “grief and sorrow”. Jesus observed them, but His purpose was unaltered by their “sorrowful expressions”. God is determined to “save” people from the penalty of “death” that is caused by sin, and when people believe and trust in His Son Jesus, they not only shall be “saved” but also shall discover their lives which were “dead” were now made alive by the power of Jesus Christ the Messiah.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus asks, “why make you this ado, and weep?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Sunday, May 30, 2021

Only Peter, James and John - Mark 5:37

And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

The verse reads, “And he suffered no man to follow him, ...” Mark began with the words, “and he suffered” or “and Jesus allowed and permitted” “no man” which means “no other person whether male or female” “to follow him” or “to accompany Jesus Himself”. Mark shared how Jesus limited those who would have access to what He was about to do within Jairus' house.

The verse goes on to say, “... save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.” Mark continued with the words, “save Peter” which means “except for Peter whose name means little rock or stone”, “and James” “whose name means supplanter and was a son of Zebedee”, “and John” which means “and John whose name means Jehovah is a gracious giver” “the brother of James” or “John was James' physical brother”. Mark shared how Jesus made exception for His disciples “Peter, James and John” to “follow” behind Him.

When we consider Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus did not just let anyone go into certain places where He ministered. As He went to Jairus' house, He only allowed “Peter, James and John” to accompany Him, and for certain reasons these men were given this special privilege. Though God works in the lives of all people, there are certain times where only particular ones are allowed to watch Him work. He has His reasons, and when there are limitations to the positions and offices He deems are necessary, those who are wise will understand God's Kingdom is His, and He may do with it as He chooses.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus, “saw the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Be not Afraid – Only Believe - Mark 5:36

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken,

he said unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

The verse reads, “As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, ...” Mark began with the words, “as soon as Jesus heard the word” or “at the moment and time Jesus who is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation was given the faculty for hearing, perceiving and understanding the words of the messenger”, “that was spoken” which means “that were uttered, declared and proclaimed”. Mark shared Jesus immediately responded with the following words when He “heard” what the messenger had to say.

The verse continues, “... he said unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.” Mark added the words, “he said unto the ruler of the synagogue” which means “Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed to Jairus who was the overseer of the sacred worship place called the synagogue”, “Be not afraid” or “do not be struck with fear, seized with alarm or put to flight”, “only believe” which means “merely be persuaded, place confidence in and have the conviction and trust that God is able to aid either in obtaining or in doing something”. Mark shared how Jesus told Jairus not to “be struck with fear”, but rather to “have confidence and conviction” in Him.

When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus immediately recognized what the messenger's words would do to the “faith” of Jairus. Because his daughter was pronounced “dead”, there would appear to be no “hope” and “fear and anxiety” would be the natural response. Jesus knew Jairus would be afraid, and He assured Jairus by encouraging him not to “be struck with fear” but rather “believe”. Jesus knows what people need, and He understands what makes them afraid. Jairus was to keep his eyes and heart away from the “circumstances” and upon Jesus who would care for anything that happened. Those who are wise will look to Jesus rather than their situations and find Him ready to “rescue and relieve” any “anxiety” that suddenly appears.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus allowed only, “Peter, and James, and John the brother of James” to continue forward with Him, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.