"Fell Down Before Him"
by Heath Rogers

Mark chapter five records three individuals who "fell down before" or "worshiped" Jesus.

The first was a man who was possessed by a "legion" of demons. It was actually the demons who felt the need to fall down before Jesus and worship Him. They recognized Jesus as one who possessed greater power than themselves (vs. 7-13, c.f. 1:24), and displayed this recognition by bowing down or worshiping before Jesus.

The second person to fall at the feet of Jesus was a man named Jairus (v. 22). This man is identified as one of the rulers of the synagogue. He begged Jesus, "My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live" (v. 23). Jairus believed Jesus had the power to prevent his daughter's death. He would soon see that Jesus had the power to raise her from the dead (v. 42)!

The third person to fall down before Jesus was a woman who had been suffering from a discharge of blood. She had heard of Jesus' power to heal people. Instead of interrupting Jesus and asking to be healed, she acted out of faith, believing all she had to do was touch His clothes and she would be made well. She did so, and felt in her body that she was healed (vs. 25-29). Jesus also felt something. He knew that power had gone from Him, stopped, turned around, and asked who had touched His clothes. The woman was moved with fear, fell down before Him, and told Him what she had done (vs. 30-33). Jesus acknowledged her faith and sent her away in peace.

These three individuals recognized Jesus as possessing superior power and authority, and all three of them fell down before Jesus in an act of humility and worship. We may call Jesus our "Lord" and "Savior," but do we recognize Jesus as possessing power and authority over our lives? Think about it.

"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow..." (Phil. 2:11).