Introduction: In this lesson we read of Jesus having his mother and brethren come to where He was teaching. He uses this opportunity to teach a lesson on the relative importance of spiritual relations over the physical, blood relatives (vs. 19-2). This is a very important lesson that each should grasp and accept. For there are times when blood relatives, family members are allowed to keep one from being as faithful as they could and should be.

Then we see Him demonstrate His power to calm the water of the sea and wind (vs. 22-25). He also demonstrates His power, when He came into the country of the Gadarenes, over the evil spirits that were troubling a man (vs. 26-36) What a strange thing happened in (vs. 37-40): The people wanted Jesus to leave their community after they learned of His power. One would THINK that people might want to have such a person to remain in the community. However, this is perhaps typical of many people today in regard to religious people, "don't bother us with what God says and requires." How sad to have a community of people with such a mind set. Yet, if we face such an attitude, we need not think we are the first to find such reaction. Jesus faced it long before us.

 Thirdly, we see that the man out of whom Jesus had cast the demons, wanted to go with Jesus but Jesus had different instructions and plans for him. Instead of letting him travel with Jesus, He told the man, rather to return to his own house and "show what great things God had done unto him". What a lesson there for people who are converted today,  receiving the forgiveness of sins. We need to go and show others what God has done for us and will do for them, if they will submit to His authority!

Fourth, A man named Jairus, a ruler, came asking Jesus to come and heal his "only daughter" (vs. 41-56). While on the way to the ruler's house, a woman in the crowd touched Jesus and was healed (vs. 43-48). Also, before he reached the house where the daughter was sick, word came that He need not bother, for the daughter had died. Yet, Jesus told them that she was just sleeping, "And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead." Yet, He went in and raised her from the dead and presented her to her parents. What a demonstration, with far reaching consequences, providing credentials for His identity!  Yes, there is ample evidence to show that Jesus was who He claimed to be, the Son of God, that came to seek and save the lost (Jn. 20:30-31; Lk.19:10). Will we be convinced and submissive to His authority? We can and we should. Let us do it!

QUESTIONS:

1. Who came to Him and could not reach Him "for the press" (V. 19)?

2. What response did Jesus give when told His "mother and brethren" desired to see Him (Vs. 20-21)?

3. What happened on a "certain day" while Jesus was "asleep" (Vs. 22-23)?

4. What caused the disciples to be afraid and wonder, saying "What manner of man is this?" (Vs. 24-25)?

5. What did Jesus find and what did he do in the country of the Gadarenes (vs. 26-6)?

6. What did the people of the Gadarenes ask Jesus to do (V. 37)?

7. What did the man who had the devils cast out want to do (Vs. 38-40) and what was Jesus' reply?

8. Who came to Jesus with what request (vs.41-42)?

9. What happened on His way to the ruler's house (vs.43-48)?

10. What message did Jesus receive before He arrived at the house of the sick daughter (vs. 49-53)?

11.What did Jesus say to the "maid" and what was the result (vs. 54-56)?