I can do everything through Christ, which strengtheneth me.

About a month ago, I was asked to give a talk about Philippians 4:13. Now most, if not all of us, are familiar with this scripture, or have at least heard it.

The first time I saw it I was watching Quarterback Tim Tebow play for the Florida Gators. Under his eyes he had the scripture Philippians 4:13 in eye black.

I thought it was the coolest thing ever!

The Atonement of Jesus Christ not only helped Tim Tebow play football, but it also helped two individuals found in the New Testament.

This is their story:

While making His way through town, Jesus was approached by a man, but not just any ordinary man. This man was a ruler of a synagogue, and when he saw Jesus, Jarius fell at His feet.

With his position, he could have easily sent a messenger, bidding Jesus to come because surely Jarius would have much rather stayed with his daughter than seek help, right?

“And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet (Mark 5:22).”

Jarius not only left his daughter and household, but he fell at the feet of our Maker and asked Him to come.

In other words, he went straightway — he went immediately.

I can find courage through Christ, which strengtheneth me.

In the opening verses of this story we learn a great deal about life and how to confront its greatest challenges: It was Jarius who pleaded for his daughter’s life, not a messenger. Jarius wanted to ensure Jesus got the message and received it the way it was intended to be received - with urgency.

Jesus was not Jarius’s last resort, Jesus was his first. When the fragility of life begin to slip through his fingers, he consulted with one individual, and one individual only — Jesus.

“And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him (Mark 5:24).”

As they walked with urgency, behold, “a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years.”

Now just as a side note, Jarius’s daughter was twelve years old, and if she lived to see the next day, according to tradition, she would then enter into womanhood.

On the contrary, the woman with the issue of blood had suffered for twelve years!

Isn’t that interesting?

Jarius’s daughter has been alive the same amount of time this woman has suffered.

We learn this woman “had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse (Mark 5:26).”

There was not much hope on the horizon for this woman, that is until Jesus came along.

Unlike Jarius who voiced his concerned out loud to the Master, this woman kept her feelings to herself, and from the context clues in the surrounding verses, we know she was embarrassed — embarrassed she spent all of her money and embarrassed she had only grown worse over the years.

“If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole (Mark 5:28).”

If I can just touch a fiber, a piece of cloth on His body, I can be healed, and then walk away without anyone even knowing… as if nothing happened.

But something did happen. She was healed!

“And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague (Mark 5:29).”

In an instant, 12 years of struggle, embarrassment, shame, pain and a plethora of other feelings vanished within a moments time.

But why did this woman wait 12 years? Why did she go through all of the headache and heartache of seeing others when she could have gone to Christ?

Why did this woman resort to Jesus last? Instead of trying every remedy known at the time, why didn’t she try Jesus?

How often do we try other remedies in our own life instead of trying Jesus?

Although this woman believed she was going to flee the crowd without Him knowing, Jesus felt a part of Him leave as she walked away, and as she walked away, Jesus spotted the woman, and almost in the same state as before.

She was trembling, even fearful for what she had done, but rather than running away, she confronted her fears and “told Him all the truth (Mark 5:33).”

I can be fearless through Christ, which strengtheneth me.

“And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.”

I can find peace through Christ, which strengtheneth me.

I can be healed through Christ, which strengtheneth me.

I can be made whole through Christ, which strengtheneth me.

Whether we make Christ our first or last resort, the blessings are still the same. He doesn’t care if you’ve passed Him once or hundred times. He cares that you come to Him.

But our story doesn’t end here.

We still need to discuss Jarius.

Jarius is still waiting - perhaps even a little impatient at this point. His daughter is about to die, and here is Christ healing another person.

You can almost hear Jarius saying, “Can’t you wrap this up?”

But then comes the news… a messenger from the synagogue, “Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further (Mark 5:35)?”

Despair must have immediately overcome Jarius as he heard the news.

Jesus could sense it and knew He had other matters to attend.

Bidding farewell to the woman, Jesus stood up and walked towards Jairus.

“As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, “Be not afraid, only believe (Mark 5:36).”

I can believe in Christ, which strengtheneth me.

As they entered Jarius’s house, people mourned at the loss of a loved one.

But Peter, James, John and Jarius kept walking towards the room of Jarius’s daughter.

Why are you weeping? Asks Jesus. The damsel is not dead but sleepeth.

That comment didn’t go over well with some.

Some mocked Jesus and laughed, while others took courage.

What would you have done?

It’s interesting to note that Jesus did indeed the situation at hand. The scripture says, “he put them all out,” meaning He took the time - once again - to address issues while on His way to help someone else. Once the calamity ceased, He went forward with Peter, James, John and Jarius.

“And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise (Mark 5:41).”

“And straightway the damsel arose, and walked (Mark 5:42).”

Just like the woman with the issue of blood, the healing occurred immediately, and so it can be with us, especially for those who live with broken hearts.

The moment we draw closer to Christ, is the moment the healing process begins.

To close, the stories in this passage of scripture are examples which we can draw our own faith and courage.

Did you notice what the messenger said to Jarius once his daughter died?

Why troublest thou the Master any further?

In response to the seriousness of the situation, Jesus says, “Be not afraid, only believe.”

I can find hope through Christ, which strengtheneth me.

With Christ, hope overcomes despair and courage conquers fear.

I can not only do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me, but everything.