May 13, 2016

FROM DESPAIR TO DAUGHTER OF THE KING

Mark 5:21–43

Nika Spaulding
Friday's Devo

May 13, 2016

Friday's Devo

May 13, 2016

Central Truth

Whether at the top of society or clinging to the bottom rung, there is room for you in God's family. Everyone gets an upgrade when she becomes a daughter of the King.

Key Verse | Mark 5:34

And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease." (Mark 5:34)

Mark 5:21–43

Jesus Heals a Woman and Jairus's Daughter

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. 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 1 5:36 Or ignoring; some manuscripts hearing 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 2 5:38 Greek he 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.

Footnotes

[1] 5:36 Or ignoring; some manuscripts hearing
[2] 5:38 Greek he

Dive Deeper | Mark 5:21–43

Of all the Gospels, Mark has a special place in my heart because of his treatment of women and his no-nonsense way of telling the story. Today's passage showcases a common feature in Mark's writing: using a story sandwich to make a point. See also Mark 2:1-12, 3:1-6, 3:20-35, 11:12-25, and other places. Mark starts a story, takes a break, tells another related story, and then finishes the first story. Often the key to understanding the "bread" is found in the "meat."

In our passage, the parallels and juxtapositions found in the "bread" and "meat" jump off the page. The young girl was 12 years old; the woman bled for 12 years. The woman hid in the crowd; Jairus boldly approached Jesus. Jairus was a man of stature; the woman was in the lowest class of society—an unclean woman unfit to touch Jesus. Jairus was concerned about his daughter; Jesus called the bleeding woman "daughter."

By combining these stories, Mark clearly communicates a few truths about Jesus' ministry. Whether someone boldly approaches Jesus asking for a miracle or comes from behind, scraping up just enough courage to touch the edge of His garment, Jesus rewards faith. Furthermore, regardless of whether you are at the top of the social class or an outcast, faith makes you a daughter of the King. Did you catch that? A woman who would have been considered worthless in that society was also plagued with bleeding that left her broke and desperate. Since she was considered unclean, she was unfit to touch Jesus. He could have publicly rebuked her and sent her away in shame. Instead, the King called this woman "daughter," healed her ailment, praised her publicly, and restored her to society. Jairus was concerned about his daughter, but so was Jesus.

I hope this sandwich encourages you to remember that regardless of your current situation in life, Jesus cares for His sons and daughters. If you know this Jesus, boldly approach the King like Jairus and trust—even when things go from bad to worse. If you are unsure about this Jesus, come. Even a fearful, barely-scratching-the-surface-of-faith approach will stop Him in the crowd just for you.

Discussion Questions

1. Do you relate more to Jairus—boldly approaching Jesus—or the woman—barely able to come before the King? How can you grow in your boldness to approach Jesus?

2. Do you realize that, if you have faith in Jesus, you are a son or daughter of the King? What is keeping you from owning this title for yourself?

3. What does it show about Jesus that He stopped in the crowd when the woman touched His garment? How would you describe this Jesus to a friend?