Pam Padgett ... teacher
When Jesus walked on this earth some people sought Him, while some wanted nothing to do with Him, were offended by Him, and even laughed at
Him. Yet Jesus continued in the work He was to do.
A man in Gadarenes had an unclean spirit, and couldn't be tamed nor bound ... 2 And when he (Jesus)
was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a
man with an unclean spirit, 3 Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and
no man could bind him, no, not with chains: 4 Because that he had been
often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked
asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man
tame him. 5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in
the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones. (Mark 5)
Jesus cast the devils out of the man, allowing them to go into about 2000 swine, which then
ran into the sea and drowned. Even though they saw that the man was now sitting, clothed, and in his
right mind, the people were afraid and wanted Jesus to leave that area ... 14
And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the
country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. 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. 16 And they that saw it told them how it befell to him
that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. 17 And
they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts. (Mark 5)
A ruler of the synagogue sought out Jesus and fell as His feet,
asking Jesus to heal his daughter who was near death ... 22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,
23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the
point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may
be healed; and she shall live. 24 And Jesus went with him; and much
people followed him, and thronged him. (Mark 5)
But as Jesus was going to Jairus' house, he was informed that his daughter had died. Although Jesus was laughed at by those who wept, He went to the girl, told her to arise, and she did. ... 36
As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the
ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 37 And he suffered
no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of
James. 38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and
seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. 39 And when he
was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the
damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. 40 And they laughed him to scorn.
But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother
of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the
damsel was lying. 41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto
her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee,
arise. 42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of
the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great
astonishment. (Mark 5)
When Jesus was in His own country and taught in the synagogue, those who
heard Him were astonished at the wisdom and mighty works that came
forth. But, rather than rejoicing and glorifying God, they considered that they knew Jesus and His family and were
offended and didn't believe in Jesus.
Mark 6:1 And he went out from thence, and came into his own
country; and his disciples follow him. 2 And when the sabbath day was
come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were
astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what
wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are
wrought by his hands? 3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the
brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his
sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. 4 But Jesus
said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country,
and among his own kin, and in his own house. 5 And he could there do no
mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and
healed them. 6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Whether or not people accepted and believed in Jesus, He went about doing the work God had called Him to do, always doing what pleased the Father ... And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (John 8:29)
As we walk on this earth, seeking to do the will of God as led by the Holy Spirit, we are also sometimes accepted and sometimes hated or ridiculed as a result. And when we suffer in some way for doing what is right in the sight of God, we can commit ourselves to God, trusting Him to work in the situation and in our lives as He wills, as we seek to continue obeying Him.
1 Peter 4:19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.