Lent - Day 15
We will continue with our Lenten study of reading through the Book of Mark.
And like we did on the previous study, instead of starting with the reading of the Scripture passage, we will read it below.
Once again this passage is one that is longer than what we would normally read and actually is a two in one story.
It is also quite unusual but one that will show what was happening during that day, in that place and time:
The Healing Touch of Jesus
"When Jesus had again crossed by boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him beside the sea. A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet and pleaded with Him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Please come and place Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.”
So Jesus went with him, and a large crowd followed and pressed around Him. And a woman was there who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. She had borne much agony under the care of many physicians and had spent all she had, but to no avail. Instead, her condition had only grown worse.
When the woman heard about Jesus, she came up through the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she kept saying, “If only I touch His garments, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she sensed in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
At once Jesus was aware that power had gone out from Him. Turning to the crowd, He asked, “Who touched My garments?”
His disciples answered, “You can see the crowd pressing in on You, and yet You ask, ‘Who touched Me?’”
But He kept looking around to see who had done this. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him trembling in fear, and she told Him the whole truth.
“Daughter,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction.”
While He was still speaking, messengers from the house of Jairus arrived and said, “Your daughter is dead; why bother the Teacher anymore?”
But Jesus overheard their conversation and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe.” And He did not allow anyone to accompany Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the people weeping and wailing loudly. He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.” And they laughed at Him.
After He had put them all out, He took the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and went in to see the child. Taking her by the hand, Jesus said, “Talitha koum!” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” Immediately the girl got up and began to walk around. She was twelve years old, and at once they were utterly astounded. Then Jesus gave strict orders that no one should know about this, and He told them to give her something to eat." Mark 5:21-43
Not that much to add other than to say that when Jesus healed these two, it was immediate. And this was typical of His healing touch.
Last Resort
One other thing is that these people looked like they have already tried everything else and have no where else to go.
So now they have come to Jesus as a last resort, or to see what would happen. They have no other options anyway, or just in case it works.
Jesus then delivers, as advertised and people either follow Him, or continue on with their daily routine, try to find fault in Him or His followers or will not care one way or another, until they too need Him as their last resort.
Again, nothing new under the sun, as this is still the case today.
I pray that you will continue with us in this 40 day journey as we read through the Book of Mark, and praying, fasting and abstaining from temporal things during these 40 days.
And like we did on the previous study, instead of starting with the reading of the Scripture passage, we will read it below.
Once again this passage is one that is longer than what we would normally read and actually is a two in one story.
It is also quite unusual but one that will show what was happening during that day, in that place and time:
The Healing Touch of Jesus
"When Jesus had again crossed by boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him beside the sea. A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet and pleaded with Him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Please come and place Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.”
So Jesus went with him, and a large crowd followed and pressed around Him. And a woman was there who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. She had borne much agony under the care of many physicians and had spent all she had, but to no avail. Instead, her condition had only grown worse.
When the woman heard about Jesus, she came up through the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. For she kept saying, “If only I touch His garments, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she sensed in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
At once Jesus was aware that power had gone out from Him. Turning to the crowd, He asked, “Who touched My garments?”
His disciples answered, “You can see the crowd pressing in on You, and yet You ask, ‘Who touched Me?’”
But He kept looking around to see who had done this. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him trembling in fear, and she told Him the whole truth.
“Daughter,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction.”
While He was still speaking, messengers from the house of Jairus arrived and said, “Your daughter is dead; why bother the Teacher anymore?”
But Jesus overheard their conversation and said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid; just believe.” And He did not allow anyone to accompany Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.
When they arrived at the house of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw the commotion and the people weeping and wailing loudly. He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead, but asleep.” And they laughed at Him.
After He had put them all out, He took the child’s father and mother and His own companions, and went in to see the child. Taking her by the hand, Jesus said, “Talitha koum!” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” Immediately the girl got up and began to walk around. She was twelve years old, and at once they were utterly astounded. Then Jesus gave strict orders that no one should know about this, and He told them to give her something to eat." Mark 5:21-43
Not that much to add other than to say that when Jesus healed these two, it was immediate. And this was typical of His healing touch.
Last Resort
One other thing is that these people looked like they have already tried everything else and have no where else to go.
So now they have come to Jesus as a last resort, or to see what would happen. They have no other options anyway, or just in case it works.
Jesus then delivers, as advertised and people either follow Him, or continue on with their daily routine, try to find fault in Him or His followers or will not care one way or another, until they too need Him as their last resort.
Again, nothing new under the sun, as this is still the case today.
I pray that you will continue with us in this 40 day journey as we read through the Book of Mark, and praying, fasting and abstaining from temporal things during these 40 days.
Comments
Post a Comment