Day 07 of Journey through Mark: A SAVIOR FOR ALL

COMMENTARY Today, we read two more miracle stories that reveal Jesus’ identity and character. These stories are presented to us in a form that scholars often call a “Markan sandwich.” This is a literary feature used throughout the book of Mark. Mark frequently places one story in the middle of another story (e.g., Mark 3:20-35; 4:1-20; 6:6-31; 11:12-21; 14:1-11, 53-72; 15:40-16:8). By combining stories in this way, Mark intends for us to read them together so that each might shape our interpretation of the other and provide depth to our portrait of Jesus. The stories sandwiched together in today’s reading have a number of similarities.Both stories feature sick females. One was a twelve-year-old girl (Mark 5:42). The other was a woman who had been suffering for twelve years (Mark 5:25). In both stories, the ailments were not just physical but also of a religious nature. The girl and the woman would have been considered unclean and therefore unfit to touch (Mark 5:25, 35; Leviticus 15:25-27, Numbers 19:11). In both stories, people made jokes about Jesus’ words (Mark 5:31, 40). Finally, faith in the saving power of Jesus resulted in healing for both (5:34, 36). While there are multiple similarities between these stories, one trait clearly differentiates the girl and the woman. One was represented by her father, a well-to-do, ritually clean, and respected “synagogue leader” (Mark 5:22.) The other had no representation. She was likely bankrupt from medical bills, almost certainly unmarried, and definitely living on the margins of her community. By sandwiching these stories together, Mark teaches us that just as sickness and death don’t distinguish between social classes, Jesus doesn’t either. He goes out of His way to heal both of them. This should come as an encouragement to us. We are all in need of healing, no matter our background. The good news is we have a Savior who came for all of us. SCRIPTURE MARK 5:21–6:6a JESUS RAISES A DEAD GIRL AND HEALS A SICK WOMAN 21 When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. 25 And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. 30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” 32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” 35 While Jesus was still speaking, some people came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” they said. “Why bother the teacher anymore?” 36 Overhearing what they said, Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” 37 He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. 43 He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her some- thing to eat. CHAPTER 6 A PROPHET WITHOUT HONOR 1 Jesus left there and went to his home- town, accompanied by his disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. “Where did this man get these things?” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has been giv- en him? What are these remarkable miracles he is performing? 3 Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. 4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town, among his relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He was amazed at their lack of faith. REFLECTION 1. Mark 6:5-6 indicates that Jesus did not “do any miracles” in His hometown because of their “lack of faith.” What does this teach us if we are looking for a miracle in order to believe? 2. Mark 5:30 says that Jesus noticed the touch of the sick woman even while a crowd pressed against Him. Jesus’ awareness of the woman should encourage us. He can sense when we reach out for Him too. Use this time and space to reach out to Jesus today. Be bold with your prayers and confident that He notices you.