Open Enrollment

Author: Pastor Thomas G. Wilson
May 08, 2020

Mark 5:22-28 KJV

 [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. [25] And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, [26] And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, [27] When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. [28] For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

 

This passage is a story within a story; the story of Jairus a man of influence and means, and the woman with the issue of blood (never named, known only by her condition) who is now destitute as a result of her illness. Jesus does not favor one over the other. He neither rebukes Jairus for his money and social standing nor ignores the woman because of her poverty. Jairusasked Jesus to come lay His hands on his daughter and she would be “healed” (sozo) and the woman with the issue of blood said, “If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be “whole” (sozo).   As unique as each situation was both came to Jesus for the same resolution…sozo!  “Sozo” is the Greek word most often translated “salvation” in the New Testament.

 

Romans 10:9,13 KJV [9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved… [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

 

Strong’s Concordance defines “sozo” as: to save that is deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): - heal preserve save (self) do well be (make) whole.  This word helps broaden the view of salvation.  Salvation is far more than forgiveness of sins or eternal bliss in heaven.  Salvation is a broad, comprehensive, whole life plan.  It covers all forms of oppression, disease, brutality, hardship, misery, suffering and pain.  Not only is the coverage broad but also there is open enrollment!  It is open to “whosoever”.  However, the end of the enrollment period gets closer day by day and will come as a thief in the night.  Don’t get caught without it, enroll today…no charge…eternal coverage…unlimited benefits…God’s Sozo Plan.

 

For further reading: Romans 3:10, 23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-10

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