David Bahn – Reflections

Mark 5:30

And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?”

We define our worlds by what we see, hear, touch, taste and smell – emphasis on “we.” And the problem with that is that our senses are limited. We get upset when we learn of atrocities committed by ruthless dictators in foreign lands. We are distressed when we become aware of injustice, starvation, or abuse; and well we should! But for every distressing situation we know about there are ten more – or perhaps a thousand more – of which we are not aware.

Because of this, we wonder when God doesn’t seem to act on our schedule: “Where are you God? Don’t you care?” There is nothing in this encounter (see Mark 5:21-43 bel0w) indicating that Jairus got upset when Jesus stopped to talk with the woman who touched him seeking healing from her illness. There is the question of the disciples wondering why Jesus is concerned about someone touching him when in fact several people were touching him along the path. But if I’m Jairus, I’m in distress inwardly wondering how this interruption will impact the healing of my daughter.

But Jesus stops and asks about this one person. It seems that Jesus has a better assessment of what is important and when action is needed. He knew that his delay in healing Jairus’ daughter would not mean he was abandoning her altogether. God is not bound by time even though we are. But Jesus’ actions show that those who seek his healing in faith – however that might be done – matter to him; and all this on his time schedule.

Mark 5:21-43

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. ²² Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 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.” ²⁴ And he went with him.

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, ²⁶ and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. ²⁷ She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. ²⁸ For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” ²⁹ And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 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?” 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. ³⁴ And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

³⁵ While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” ³⁶ But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue,“Do not fear, only believe.” ³⁷ And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. ³⁸ They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. ³⁹ And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” ⁴⁰ And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.⁴¹ Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” ⁴² And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. ⁴³ And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.