The Interruption
Mark 5:21-34
Do you enjoy watching parades? Growing up, we would watch the televised parades on Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Day. These parades are planned and well-organized. The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade includes marching bands and huge balloons. The beautiful floats in the Rose Bowl Parade are covered with flowers or other natural materials such as leaves, seeds, or bark. The floral smells are intoxicating.
However, not all parades are planned, organized, or run in an orderly manner. There are times when the spectators move in and push past the barricades. The actual participants can be swallowed up as the crowd envelops the parade. During the years of Jesus’ earthly ministry, this happened regularly. The crowds were thrilled to see Him and hear His teaching, and they wanted to see Him perform miracles.
When Jesus had crossed over again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him; and so He stayed by the seashore. One of the synagogue officials named Jairus came up, and on seeing Him, fell at His feet and implored Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death; please come and lay Your hands on her, so that she will get well and live.” And He went off with him; and a large crowd was following Him and pressing in on Him.
- Mark 5:21-24 (NASB)
Can you picture the scene? A distraught father has come to Jesus because his precious daughter is sick and dying. I’m drawn to Jesus' response as this distressed father kneels before him. He responds with action. Jesus went with him. The parade begins!
A suffering woman joins the throng, and she seizes an opportunity. “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” (Mark 5:28). The crowd pushes in around Jesus, and she comes up behind Him and touches His robe. Immediately, she is healed of her disease.
Then, it happens! Jesus stops. The interruption. Has He forgotten the sick, dying young daughter? He turns and begins looking at faces in the crowd. The parade is interrupted – for His purpose.
Immediately Jesus, perceiving in Himself that the power proceeding from Him had gone forth, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My garments?” … And, He looked around to see who had done this. But the woman fearing and trembling, aware of what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”
- Mark 5:30, 32-34 (NASB)
Certainly, Jesus had demonstrated His power to heal disease and sickness. But He wanted this disheartened and hopeless woman to talk to Him. She responded with fear and trembling and fell before Him. In her brokenness, this woman told Jesus the whole truth.
Her humility brought an exquisite response from Jesus. “Daughter, your faith has made you well.” This is the only time recorded in the Gospels when Jesus calls a woman “daughter.” An outcast for 12 years, this woman is now accepted. She is a legitimate family member. Jesus called her “Daughter,” and she truly belongs. What a beautiful example for you and me! Her faith brought healing to her body and, most importantly, her soul.
Head to Heart
Jesus wants to interrupt your parade. He watches, and He waits for you to come to Him. Push through the crowd. Tune out the noise and the clamor. Set your gaze on Jesus and tell Him your story. He hears every single word you speak. He will listen to the whole truth. And your soul will experience His healing touch. “Daughter (Son), your faith has made you well.”
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