Key Thought

Jesus worked to grow people at all different levels of relationship and maturity. He invested especially in 3 apostles who would take special leadership in the early church -- Peter, James, and John. His work with them is a reminder that as important as it is for leaders to help solve problems, to minister to immediate needs, and to encourage all the people of God, they must also set aside time to work with key servant-leaders for the future. With whom are you investing yourself? Who will carry on your ministry after you are no longer here? True leadership invests in the future by investing in future leaders!

Today's Prayer

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Father, give me the wisdom to know those around me with whom I should share my life, my time, and passion for your work. Use me to call others to serve. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Today's Verses in Context

Jesus went in the boat back across to the other side of the lake. There, many people gathered around him by the lake. A leader of the synagogue came to that place. His name was Jairus. Jairus saw Jesus and bowed down before him. Jairus begged and begged Jesus. He said, "My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her. Then she will be healed and will live." So Jesus went with Jairus. Many people followed Jesus. They were pushing very close around him. A woman was there among the people. This woman had been bleeding for the past twelve years. The woman suffered very much. Many doctors tried to help her. All the money she had was spent. But she was not improving. Her sickness was becoming worse. The woman heard about Jesus. So she followed Jesus with the people and touched his coat. The woman thought, "If I can touch his clothes, that will be enough to heal me." When the woman touched his coat, her bleeding stopped. The woman felt that her body was healed from the suffering. And Jesus felt power go out from him. So he stopped and turned around. Then he asked, "Who touched my clothes?" The followers said to Jesus, "There are many people pushing against you. But you ask, 'Who touched me?'" But Jesus continued looking for the person that touched him. The woman knew that she was healed. So she came and bowed at Jesus' feet. The woman was shaking with fear. She told Jesus the whole story. Jesus said to the woman, "Dear woman, you are made well because you believed. Go in peace. You will have no more suffering." Jesus was still there speaking. Some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. The men said, "Your daughter is dead. There is now no need to bother the teacher (Jesus)." But Jesus did not care what the men said. Jesus said to the synagogue leader, "Don't be afraid; only believe." Jesus let only Peter, James, and John the brother of James go with him. Jesus and these followers went to the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. Jesussaw many people there crying loudly. There was much confusion. Jesus entered the house and said to the people, "Why are you people crying and making so much noise? This child is not dead. She is only sleeping." But all the people laughed at Jesus. Jesus told the people to leave the house. Then Jesus went into the room where the child was. He brought the child's father and mother and his three followers into the room with him. Then Jesus held the girl's hand and said to her, "Talitha, koum!" (This means, "Little girl, I tell you to stand up!") The girl stood up and began walking. (The girl was twelve years old.) The father and mother and the followers were amazed. Jesus gave the father and mother very strict orders not to tell people about this. Then Jesus told them to give the girl some food to eat.

— Mark 5:21-43 (ERV)

Easy-to-Read Version copyright © 2001 by World Bible Translation Center. All rights reserved.