Christian Churches of God
No. P6z
Summary:
Mark 5:21-43
(Edition 1.0 20000725-20000725)
Two miracles that portray the calling and resurrection of the church.
Christian Churches of God
PO Box 369, WODEN ACT 2606, AUSTRALIA
E-mail:
secretary@ccg.org
(Copyright ã 2000 Wade Cox
Summary Ed. by Wade Cox)
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Mark 5:21-43
The performance of these two miracles is a powerful story of Christ and the calling of His church. It has serious implications for the nation of Israel and the tribes of Judah and Levi.
Big crowds followed Christ; they represent the called but not chosen. They saw what Christ was doing but had no real faith.
Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue goes to Christ to ask for healing of his dying daughter. Jairus represents the faithful of Judah and Levi. Suddenly, amidst the crowd, Jesus asked who touched him? A woman who had been sick for twelve years with a worsening issue of blood had thought: If only she just touched Christ's clothes she would be healed. Miraculously she was. The miracle of justification through faith is seen here in great power. This woman had been ritually unclean for twelve years, a symbol of the elect who were dead in their sins and unclean before God. She was aware she was unclean, but Judah and Levi are not. Only through the Holy Spirit are we brought to repentance and a state of awareness of our own sin.
When Christ reaches Jairus’ house his daughter was dead. Christ tells him not to be afraid, but to believe. This encouragement is important to the church in serious trials, as God has promised never to leave or forsake us (Heb 13:5; Gen 28:15). Christ tells them she only sleeps, which in effect declares the resurrection and salvation of the maiden bride, the church. For the elect, death is as one asleep. But outside the people laughed Him to scorn, demonstrating the lack of faith of the house of Judah and Levi. Christ performs the miracle of bringing back to life the young girl, who is twelve years old at this time. This symbolises the first resurrection promised to the faithful church (see papers The Soul (No. 92) and The Resurrection of the Dead (No. 143). The concept is based on the foundation of the twelve who form the foundation of The City of God (see paper The City of God (No. 180). The woman was brought to repentance in the sequence of the twelve years. She is a witness to Israel in her faith.
When the girl came alive the crowd was amazed (1Cor. 1:27). The church will confound the mighty. Afterwards Christ gave the charge of keeping the Mysteries of God to His church and providing its spiritual nourishment (1Cor 1:27). Later Christ also charged Peter to feed His sheep (Jn 21:16,17).
These seemingly two unrelated incidents are actually a mighty story of the predestination of the elect, their setting aside, calling and hence their justification, then glorification in the resurrection (Rom.8:28-33).
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