Over the past week, I’ve been studying Mark’s gospel, tracing Jesus’ ministry journey. When I reach chapter five, I pause and picture the shoreline of the Sea of Galilee. I imagine the people gathered to see Jesus. This is one of my favorite scenes because Jesus recognizes that a woman’s small faith led her to touch the fringe of his robe. Jesus acknowledges her act of faith and calls her, “Daughter.”
Do you enjoy watching parades? Growing up, we would watch televised parades on Thanksgiving Day and New Year’s Day. These parades are carefully planned and well-organized. The annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade features marching bands and enormous balloons. The beautiful floats in the Rose Bowl Parade are decorated with flowers or other natural materials, such as leaves, seeds, or bark.
However, not all parades are planned, organized, or conducted smoothly. Sometimes, spectators push past the barricades and move in haphazardly. The actual participants can get lost in the crowd as it surrounds the parade. During Jesus’s earthly ministry years, this happened often. The crowds were excited to see Him, hear His teaching, and they wanted Him to 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 imagine the scene? A desperate father has come to Jesus because his beloved daughter is sick and nearing death. I am captivated by Jesus’ response as this distressed father kneels before him. He acts immediately. Jesus went with him. The procession began!
A suffering woman joins the throng and seizes an opportunity. “If I just touch His garments, I will get well.” (Mark 5:28). The crowd surrounds Jesus, and she slips behind Him to touch His robe. Immediately, she is healed of her illness.
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 demonstrated His power to heal disease and sickness. But He wanted this disheartened and hopeless woman to speak with Him. She responded with fear and trembling and fell before Him. In her brokenness, this woman told Jesus the whole truth.
Her humility elicited a profound 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 recognized as 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, to 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.
Jesus hears every word you speak, and He will listen to the whole truth. Your soul will feel His healing touch. “Daughter (Son), your faith has made you well.”
DGTM RESOURCE: Your Personal Decision to Walk with God
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i needed this encouragement today--from such a familiar story! Thank you!