Mark 5:21-43
Find a way to separate yourself from whatever’s going on around you so you can fully enter into today’s passage. if you haven’t read the introduction to Mark’s Gospel, read it here.
Read Mark 5:21-43 noticing the two stories that are interwoven.
Jesus is back on the Jewish side of the lake, and the first situation he encounters involves a religious leader. Jairus was part of the Jewish aristocracy, the very group that was now obsessed with destroying Jesus. But when Jairus humbles himself before the person he considers to be his last hope, Jesus has no hostility.
The woman in the crowd is an outcast because of her physical condition. She is considered “unclean” and anyone she touches will become ceremonially unclean. For her to reach out and touch a rabbi is a bold act that will result in severe consequences if she is discovered. But just like Jairus, Jesus is her last hope, and she believes (as does every first century Jew) that if Jesus is indeed the Son of God, then the hem of his wing-like prayer shawl (tallit) and the tassels (tzitzit) sewn onto the corners of the shawl contain the healing power of God. And her belief is confirmed.
It is interesting that Jesus calls this woman “Daughter,” and then shortly thereafter gives life to Jairus’ daughter. And it’s also worth noting that Jesus invites Jairus and his wife to the same kind of faith displayed by the unclean woman in the crowd.
Jesus sees people for who they are regardless of status or condition, and he values true faith. He is not swayed or repulsed by a person’s physical condition or position in society, and he doesn’t seek such a position for himself. He doesn’t need to. The miracles tell all – he is the Son of God come to earth with healing in his wings.
Read Mark 5:21-43 again and make a note of anything that stands out to you.
Why do you think Jesus healed Jairus’ daughter in private and then gave strict orders that no one tell what they had seen?
Spend a few minutes reflecting on how you tend to make judgements about people. Talk to Jesus about this and ask him to help you see people with his eyes.
Do you need physical, emotional, mental or spiritual healing today? Bring your situation to Jesus and imagine yourself grabbing hold of the tassels of his prayer shawl. Express what is on your heart to him.
Is there anything Jesus is inviting you to do as a result of this time of reflection? If so, write down what you plan to do about that.
If these meditations are helpful to you, please forward them to couple of friends.
Interested in going deeper? Check out The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide and blog.
