 Scripture Reading: Mark 6:30-44 The Apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. [31] And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) [32] They went away in the boat to a secluded place by themselves.
In our scripture reading, Mark refers to the disciples as "The Apostles." Please note that at the time in which our story takes place, the disciples were not considered apostles. However, by the time Mark wrote the Gospel of Mark, the disciples had become the Apostles that were leading the early church. There are a couple of ideas that I take away from this: Firstly, Jesus did not call His disciples on the basis of who they were; He called them on the basis of who they would become. Jesus saw the potential in the men that He called to follow Him. I believe that this is how God views "us." We have been called to be followers of Christ, because God sees the potential of what we can become. In other words, God has faith in us before we have faith in Him. Secondly, like the disciples who were "transformed" into apostles, we are on a journey of transformation. Transformation means that we are not who we will become. In our spiritual journey, we make the effort to deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Jesus. This puts us in the position or posture of offering ourselves to God's purposes. (You might call this "drawing near to God) God's response? He draws near to us and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are transformed. And...disciples become apostles... What is God's design for you? Questions to Consider:
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 Scripture Reading: Mark 5:35-43 NASB95
While He was still speaking, they came from the house of the synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; why trouble the Teacher anymore?” [36] But Jesus, overhearing what was being spoken, said to the synagogue official, “Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.” [37] And He allowed no one to accompany Him, except Peter and James and John the brother of James. [38] They came to the house of the synagogue official; and He saw a commotion, and people loudly weeping and wailing. [39] And entering in, He said to them, “Why make a commotion and weep? The child has not died, but is asleep.” [40] They began laughing at Him. But putting them all out, He took along the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and entered the room where the child was. [41] Taking the child by the hand, He said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). [42] Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded. [43] And He gave them strict orders that no one should know about this, and He said that something should be given her to eat. There will always be people who will call your faith into question. Jesus faced a crowd of skeptics when he entered Jairus' home. Jesus responded with a word of encouragement to Jairus. ("Do not be afraid any longer, only believe.") Then Jesus kicked all the skeptics out of the room where Jairus' daughter was "sleeping." Jesus made sure that the only people left in the room either believed in him, or were hoping against hope that Jesus would do a miracle. Jesus did challenge the hysterics of the skeptics who were weeping loudly. He let them know that the child was not dead; just sleeping. They responded to Jesus' words by mocking Him with laughter. (Boorish behavior) Jesus did not allow the crowd to influence the events that were to come. One of the things that we can learn from this is that God is not intimidated by the unbelief of the crowds. God does whatever He wills to do. Jesus took the 12-year-old girl by the hand; spoke a few words over her; and "woke" her up. I'm sure that this miracle brought a smile to Jesus' face. At the end of the day, Jesus had the last laugh. That seems rather rude, but it takes faith to please God. Skeptics will always feel hopeless, because they do not believe; and generally they will not admit to being wrong when proven wrong. Questions to Consider:
 Scripture Reading: Mark 5:21-24 NASB95
When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore. [22] One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His feet [23] and implored Him earnestly, saying, “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.” [24] And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him. Jairus was a religious person, an official of the synagogue. He was facing a desperate situation. His 12-year-old daughter was sick to the point of death. If this story took place in the Post-Modern world of today, this young girl would have been in intensive care at the local hospital. Jairus was facing an impossible situation. No doubt, push had come to shove in Jairus' life. Jesus' fame had been spreading throughout the country. (Which is what happens to the person who is healing the sick, casting out demons, and performing miracles) Jairus was convinced that Jesus could make the difference between life and death. He spoke a word of faith to Jesus. "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." Have you ever faced an impossible situation where you needed a miracle? That is where Jairus was at...he needed a miracle. Notice that he did not consult with the religious rulers of the synagogue. He went to the source of life and salvation. He was not disappointed! Questions to Consider:
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