Mark 5:21-34, Jesus Heals a Woman and Jairus's Daughter Part 1

[The theme of human despair and helplessness encountering Jesus continues in Mark 5.]

21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. [These fishermen are really coming in handy as Jesus’ “rock star” status continues. What advantages do you see in Jesus beginning his ministry around the Sea of Galilee and not in Jerusalem?] 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue [responsible for arranging the services, who would preach and lead prayers, an honored leader of the community], Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet [he prostrates himself] 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” [Urgency is needed. She is about to die.] 24 And he went with him. [Providing the specific name “Jairus” gives evidence of Mark’s use of eyewitness testimony. It also makes it highly unlikely that Mark, or anyone else, would make up this story. The name “Jair” is used in the Old Testament and means “He (God) gives light.”

And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years [who has been “unclean” and in isolation for a very long time], 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. [Again, we see the limits of human ability to help those in distress. Worse, this could mean she was taken advantage of by unscrupulous doctors. This story also shows how at our lowest points we have no other hope but Jesus. We need to learn the same dependence when we are strong. That is our challenge.] 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. [As an “unclean” person, she should not have done that.] 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” [She has so much faith in Jesus that she only needs one touch of his clothing, not even a moment of his time or a word of prayer.] 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. [This instantaneous healing brings her into a state of peaceful harmony in body, mind, and spirit.] 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” [Apparently, Jesus had a supply of power/energy that could be discharged for healing purposes. This might explain why he needed periods of rest after ministering to the people. Why do you think Jesus wants to know who touched him? He wants a personal connection and perhaps for others to see firsthand that being in his presence can and does bring wellbeing.] 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. [Why the fear and trembling? It is not enough to believe in our hearts. We must confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord (Romans 10:9).] 34 And he said to her, “Daughter [a tender address that Jesus makes only to this woman], your faith has made you well; go in peace [our theme word in Mark 5], and be healed of your disease.” [Her faith is in the promise of God’s peace and a sense of security for her future. Confession brought her there, not the healing. Her bodily healing reflects the healing of the soul. She suffered from a condition that made her ceremonially uncleaning and barred her from access to God in his temple and in the fellowship of his people. Her condition led her to come to Jesus as a nameless face, only desiring a touch, not an audience. The greatness of her faith lay in the fact that she asked for so little and would have been content to slip away unnoticed. Yet Jesus gave her so much more!]