David Bahn – Reflections

Mark 5:25-29 (5:21-43 is below)

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.

There’s a fine line between a move of last resort and faith. Faith is a move against logic. To believe in something we cannot see is not logical; it cannot be proved. So we don’t often go to moves of faith when first faced with a problem; we more often seek logical or manageable solutions. So for many faith is the move of last resort. When we’ve exhausted all other options we turn to God.

While that may sound a bit self-serving, or even look to be the opposite of faith, look at what happens here when this woman goes to Jesus out of desperation and her action becomes one of last resort because it works! In this case it is not known whether the woman had purposefully avoided seeking God’s help first. Nor do we know that she was seeking Jesus under duress. But the fact is that she did seek Jesus, she touched the hymn of his garment and she was healed.

Last resort or first move upon hearing about Jesus (v. 27), she went. She believed. She touched. She was healed. Sometimes we are blinded to the resources of God’s healing, helping touch. Sometimes we forget to turn to him first. Sometimes we seek to solve problems on our own – legitimately. But the good news about Jesus is that he doesn’t scold people for coming to him – whenever they do. Whether it is at the last minute like the thief on the cross, or the first days when a child is baptized: whoever comes to Jesus he will receive.

That may be good news for you right now. What reports about Jesus have you heard that you can act on today?

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. Whytrouble 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.