Louise McEvoy, Adult Ministries Associate, Occasional Outsider

Mark 5:25-34 (NRSV)

25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” 29 Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 He looked all around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

 

Reflection:

This powerful story of restoration is actually sandwiched between the beginning and end of Jairus’ story in Mark 5. Jairus is a synagogue leader who pleads with Jesus to heal his twelve-year-old daughter. Jesus responded by going with Jairus, and a group of people was crowded around him.

 

Among the crowd was an outcast, a woman who had physically suffered a bleeding condition for twelve years. We know she would have been an outcast based on the purity laws in Leviticus. Unclean for twelve years meant the loss of community, no friendships, and she very likely would have been unwed. Verse 26 tells us that she utilized all her resources for treatment, but her condition got worse. I visualize a poor, exhausted, and desperate outsider with no community support. Yet not all is gone. She has enough faith to put herself in a very risky position for one last chance of healing. As an unclean woman, she musters enough strength and courage to secretly get close enough to this rabbi and the surrounding men, just to touch his clothes. Heaven forbid she speak to him. That would be the top story of the gossip columns the next day. All she wanted to do was quietly touch his clothes and go away.

 

At the exact moment she implemented her plan, Verse 29 tells us she was immediately healed. Physically. She felt healthier than she had been in over a decade. Let’s be clear here. Her faith in what this rabbi could do for her is what empowered her to take this risk. Hold that thought.

 

Meanwhile, Jesus too immediately felt a sensation when her hand made contact with his robe. Even with all the people packed in like sardines around him, He could feel this was different and was “aware that power had gone forth from him.” Jesus stopped the “Let’s save Jairus’ daughter” caravan and asked, “Who touched me?” (Verse 30) Imagine this for a minute, there is a crowd of men around him and she is in stealth mode. His disciples are baffled. I imagine they are thinking, “everyone is touching you because we are trying to be your bouncers here.” Jesus knew it was a different touch and he was not asking for an actual answer. He knew who it was, because well, you know, he’s Jesus. The purpose of asking the question here is an invitation. Our wonderful Big Brother is wanting to draw her out.

 

Driven by fear and awe, she comes forward and drops to her knees. Total confession. Our gracious and loving Lord, in front of the group of men who likely knew of her unclean outcast status, gives her his time and attention. Remember what I said earlier about her faith? Jesus concludes her story with this powerful statement, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease” (Verse 34). Daughter. When was the last time she heard a title of inclusion? Daughter. When was the last time she felt this love and acceptance? Daughter. When was the last time she experienced a positive outcome? The healing here encapsulates complete healing for this woman. She is fully restored in every way because she believed.

 

Quickly, back to Jairus’ daughter…she too is healed by Jesus. Yeah! In her Matchless bible study, author Angie Smith gives this wonderful quote about the entire passage: “Yes, this little girl is the daughter of a really, really important man…but this woman is also the daughter of a very important man.”        

 

Prayer:

Jesus, 

We know your invitation is available 24/7. No matter what we are bringing with us, you will love and accept us. You will have your arms open wide to say, “Welcome, Daughter! (or “Welcome, Son!”). So glad you are here. Let’s do this together.” Knowing you and being in a relationship with you is the best party favor we can take with us. Thanks for the continuous invitation. We love you. Amen.