MEDITATION ON MARK 5:21-43

JAIRUS DAUGHTER: MARK 5:21-43

As we have heard it, Jesus was on his way to heal the feverish daughter of a synagogue ruler who pleaded that Jesus have mercy on his dying child. Mark likes to tell his stories about Jesus like sandwiches — one story sandwiched in the middle of another.

And from the crowd a sick woman touches Jesus in an unseen way. But He discovers: Who has touched me?, he asks. "You see the people crowding against you," his disciples answered, "and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ "

Yes, that’s exactly what Jesus could ask. He could ask because he’d felt something quite different from the normal collisions of shoulders and elbows and sandals and hips and legs. He’d felt that "power had gone out from him" (verse 30). He’d sensed that someone had touched his clothes with a definite purpose in mind, a definite need, and that this person had done so believing that through this act God would give deliverance.

Jairus, was not afraid to walk right up to Jesus, fall at Jesus’ feet, and plead for the daughter he loved. But the sick woman was different. Though she was determined and believed that doing so she will be cured, she was too afraid to approach this mysterious man of God. Unlike Jairus, she sneaked up behind Jesus, flicked a finger across the wrinkles of his robe and sunk back into the anonymity of the crowd.

And despite her fear, despite her low opinion of herself, maybe because of her status as a woman, but even more likely because of her status as unclean because of the purity laws about menstrual flow, Jesus noticed her. And he called her to him: my daughter be cured.

Meanwhile, Jairus’ daughter died, and the messengers of this news told Jairus not to bother Jesus any more about it — after all, it was too late. But Jesus ignored them. He went straight to Jairus’ house and despite the scorn and disbelief at his statement that the girl was not dead, but only sleeping, he took her by the hand and brought her back to life.

The point is that the power of God is not prevented by what we are. Whether you’re timid and shy, young or old, a leader or an outcast, Jesus will still accomplish his mission. He knows you, loves you, cares about your needs and your fears and your crises, and is ready to help. He listens to your pleas and he senses hopeful hearts at the back of the line and behind the door. Your personality, your temperament, your status, nor even (especially) your sinful history can erect a barrier he can’t bring down.

What’s your need? What’s your crisis? What’s your fear? Take it to Jesus. Take it to him in whatever way works for you. He loves you. He’s on your side. And he’s waiting for you. Take courage to fall at his feet and express your request; take courage to sneak up behind him and touch his clothes he will grant all your needs.