A Bloody Discharge - Away with the Naysayer
What would you do to save a child? What would you do to save your child? Would you put aside your status, humble yourself and ask for help? That is what Jairus did when his daughter was dying. Jairus threw himself at the feet of one who he knew could help. He pleaded. The ruler begged to have his daughter healed.
It appears that Jesus, the one who Jairus knew could heal his daughter, was ready to help. But while on the way, there came a woman who also knew Jesus could help. She had a problem with a discharge of blood - she bled continually from her privates for 12 years straight. No doctor could help her. She spent all that she had to get a remedy but none was to be found. Then she heard, secondhand, about some man who was healing people wherever he went. She knew He could help.
The woman finds Jesus walking in a tremendous crowd on His way to Jairus’ house to heal the man’s daughter. Now, this woman was no ruler. But she didn’t beg either. She decided that rather than bother Jesus she would just steal a little healing. So she touch His robe like you would feel the petals of a flower. She was immediately healed. Interestingly, Jesus knew that someone had touched Him and rather than let her testimony go untold, he made sure she fessed up to it. Because Jesus demanded to know who touched Him, even after the search came up empty originally, we have the faith building story of this woman who believed that Jesus’ power extended even to the clothes he wore.
Another interesting point here is Jesus’ response, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” Was she not already healed? Or did Jesus need to put the stamp of approval on the healing? (going to need to ask Him about that when I see him next.)
Well this delay postponed the arrival of Jesus at Jairus’ house and instead of visiting a sick child, they were immediately informed that there was only a dead daughter. Of course, the informer’s stated position was that, due to this turn of events, Jesus was no longer needed. What a tool. You tell a father that his daughter is dead and follow it up with implying that the father is being a nuisance to Jesus. In a reassuring manner, Jesus informs Jairus that there is no reason to fear. Just keep moving.
But now the travel companions needed to be cut to just 4 people including: Jairus and Jesus’ disciples Peter, James and John. The reason for this will be discussed later. The crowd is left behind and the small group arrives at the home where the daughter lay dead. The mourners had beat Jesus to the house and they were in full swing with their commotion. Jesus asks why they were putting on the show since the daughter wasn’t dead but just “sleeping.” To which the mourners responded by turning their mourning into laughter. They ridiculed Jesus for His ignorance in such matters as death. It did not take Him long to rid the place of those interlopers, and after closing the door Jesus took the father, mother and disciples to the girl’s room. “Taking her by the hand he said ‘talitha cumi’”. Jesus told the girl to arise. She did.
Jesus then instructed the parents not to say a word about any of what happened. This is the reason he got rid of the crowd and others following Him. Jesus did not need the publicity of a girl raised from the dead. It would have worked against His plan to die for us all. Thankfully He did bring others to give testimony about it later in written letter, now included in the Bible.
So what’s the point? First of all, it’s a really cool account of some amazing interactions between people who had faith and a Loving, Healing Savior. Second, I think it is important to understand that whether you approach Jesus begging or sneaking up behind Him, with faith the answer is yours to obtain. But if you choose to laugh at Him, you can be assure you will be excused from His presence.
Mark 5:21-43