THE OTHER SIDE
Mark 4:35 And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side.
Mark 5:1 And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.
Mark 5:21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.
We find here the record of our Lord Jesus Christ crossing the waters of the Sea of Galilee, going from Capernaum to Gadara and then making a return trip. In this round trip he strongly establishes both the sovereignty of his person, and the efficacy of his gift of faith! And he does so by his powerful word!
But is that not the pattern we find of him in the very first verses of the scriptures? Darkness was upon the face of the deep. (Gen. 1:2). Then the Spirit moves, and “God Said” appears as the Word-Creator of both the natural and the new creation. (Gen. 1:3, Eph. 2:10). This brings forth the eternally existing Light of the world, the One who is to be the Light of Life to the entire body of believers who make up his Bride. (John 8:12). So the first work of God was in the revelation of himself as the Light of Life. Then he begins his work. So we first see who he is, and then what he does. This then is the same pattern throughout his earthly ministry.
For this very pattern of himself as the Word of God coming into the world is here, in physical and realized form, manifested again. For I am the LORD, I change not; (Malachi 3:6). Therefore first the Holy Spirit moved upon the virgin, and then Christ, the Word, came forth to grant us awareness of the Person of God, and to provide us the glorious benefit of the gift of his faith! I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. (John 10:10, 12:46). Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; (Heb. 12:2).
And that same pattern is also seen as he teaches the multitudes from the ship in his earthly ministry. For he is again seen here as the Word upon the waters. Matthew 13:1 The same day went Jesus out of the house, and sat by the sea side. 2 And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore. 3 And he spake many things unto them… And his gospel word, like water, washes the souls of his Bride as he presents her to himself without spot or wrinkle. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
There are two teaching miracles as he “passes over unto the other side” to Gadara. And then there are two teaching miracles on his return trip as he comes back to Capernaum. In the storm and with Legion of devils he reveals his absolute sovereignty! What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him? (Mark 4:41). Mark 5:15 And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.
Then, upon his return to Capernaum, with the woman who had the issue of blood, and with Jairus’ “little daughter,” He sets forth the power of his gift of faith! Mark 5:34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. Mark 5:36 …he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. Again, he first reveals who he is, and then manifests what he does.
Let us look at one miracle from each side and see that the knowledge of his person is essential to the obtaining of faith! Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. And the miracle of calming the storm with that of healing the woman with the issue of blood have a common thread. Yet, as we have stated, the storm reveals his sovereignty, and the healing of the woman manifests the power of the faith given her by his grace.
The common bond between the two are his ‘seemingly unconscious’ state. He is said to be asleep in the boat. But the mystery of the Trinity causes us to know that the Eternal Essence of God is always wide awake and fully conscious. Psalm 121:4 Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. And also, even though we know that he knew exactly who it was that touched him in such a way of faith, releasing power from him for her healing, he does ask, Who touched my clothes?
Today’s believer learns a very valuable lesson from both of these miracles. First we learn that even though we are in the Lord’s will in obedience to his instruction to go to the other side, it does not mean that in doing so we shall not have a violent upheaval of the elements of life. Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. And we learn that even when we cannot sense the presence of our Lord under such fearful conditions, his faith within us is sufficient to bring a peaceful order back to our hearts, no matter how sever the storm. 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
And secondly, with the woman who had the issue of blood we learn that sometimes the Lord will not present himself to us until we have exhausted every effort and all our supply. He will allow us to get in a desperate state of urgency in order to cause us to press beyond the hinderances, humbling ourselves to whatever degree necessary in order to get to him! Once this is done the personal, and amazingly, private personal exchange with him will occur. For the huge crowds, earlier written of, that hindered her approach to him, disappear to her attention and in the scriptural narrative once he turns to speak with her. For once you …
“Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in his wonderful face,
The things of earth grow strangely dim
In the light of his glory and grace!”
Helen H. Lemmel (1863-1961)
And then we can learn a very valuable lesson. It was not “Daughter, thy touch,” but “Daughter, thy FAITH hath made thee whole;” For this was his spoken issue with both the disciples in the ship amidst the storms rage, (Mark 4:40) how is it that ye have no faith?, and then here with Christ’s daughter.
We learn in the storm trial that we must make the effort to handle such trials with our gift of faith. But we learn with the woman, whatever effort we put forth is not the source of our relief. The cure did come after the hand reached out to touch the seamless garment, but yet it was only accomplished by the faith reaching up to touch the sovereign glory of God! Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
And the practice of traditional religion is like unto the touching of the physical garments of the Lord Jesus. There are some physical benefits from relating to them, as morality is better than immorality. But morality is of no match to righteousness! Therefore, less the woman mistake that it was her efforts, or that his clothing contained some special ‘magic,’ he turns to seek her out and remedy that it is Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5). Nor is there salvation in the touching of his clothing, but only in the exercising of God-granted faith to the believing upon his name!
If there was salvation in the touching of his clothes, he would not have singled her out to call her, Daughter, and then speak only of her personal faith. For many in that day touched his clothes with only the result of physical healing. And many in that day went to hell in a healthy physical condition! Consider this verse: Mark 6:56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
The religious, but unspiritual crowd would make relics, not only of his clothing, but also of our church buildings, membership and practice. True, his clothing did reflect his inner glory at times. Mark 9:2 And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. 3 And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. But did you realize that he predestinated them to be turned over to Roman soldiers and thereby go into oblivion? Do you realize that the clothing Christ wore may have wound up in the soldier’s wife’s rag bag, and later used to wash their windows?
John 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also his coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. 24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did. That verse is found in Psalm 22:18. And it was penned by King David some 1000 years before it came to pass!
Would to God the present day church could be cured of its only seeking of morality in the physical, and come to a yearning for the garments of righteousness in the spiritual. Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Revelation 19:7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God.
Can you tell me what all the believers who have gone on from this earth into their final glory look like right now? For neither David, nor Abraham, nor Peter, James and John have their teeth, their eyes, their stomaches, hair, fingernails or toes with them. They left all that back in the grave. So how do they appear before God? – Only in their imputed righteousness! And that is how the Lord God sees those of us still on earth in our earthly, physical bodies as well! 1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
2 Corinthians 5:16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
The true reality of the realms of the spiritual, of righteousness, and especially of ‘heaven’ are so far from the realization of today’s religious gang. Truly we need the renewing of our minds by the power of the Holy Spirit as the anointing salve to help us regain what I’m sure was the correct perception of some in centuries gone by.
And do we realize that the greatest comfort given to those believers who are still in their mortal bodies, and as yet without their eternal, spiritual likeness of Christ, is our imputed righteousness? Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
For it was only the spiritual, white robes of imputed righteousness given to comfort those crying, “How long, O Lord! Revelation 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled. The heavenly aid to those needing to persevere is to point them to the glorious provision of their having the righteousness of God!
For just as sure as Christ was made sin for us, so we are made God’s righteousness in Him! 2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
And we need only read James 2:1-10 to realize that we are certainly persuaded by our prejudice concerning the wearing of outer garments, when we need to be making sure of our inner righteousness.
Pastor Gene Breed June 6, 2014
