Thrust Into the Spotlight: Mark 5:21-34

Focus Passage: Mark 5:21-34 (NCV)

21 When Jesus went in the boat back to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him there. 22 A leader of the synagogue, named Jairus, came there, saw Jesus, and fell at his feet. 23 He begged Jesus, saying again and again, “My daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so she will be healed and will live.” 24 So Jesus went with him.

A large crowd followed Jesus and pushed very close around him. 25 Among them was a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered very much from many doctors and had spent all the money she had, but instead of improving, she was getting worse. 27 When the woman heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his coat. 28 She thought, “If I can just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” 29 Instantly her bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was healed from her disease.

30 At once Jesus felt power go out from him. So he turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

31 His followers said, “Look at how many people are pushing against you! And you ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ”

32 But Jesus continued looking around to see who had touched him. 33 The woman, knowing that she was healed, came and fell at Jesus’ feet. Shaking with fear, she told him the whole truth. 34 Jesus said to her, “Dear woman, you are made well because you believed. Go in peace; be healed of your disease.”

Read Mark 5:21-34 in context and/or in other translations on BibleGateway.com!

When I read different events in the Bible, and specifically events in the gospels, I occasionally will look at what the writers tell us about the people who interacted with Jesus, and I ask myself questions about the personality or character of the people who were present.

When Jesus pauses on His mission to heal a little girl from dying to draw attention to a woman and miracle that wanted to remain hidden, I wonder about the woman who was healed.

Was she introverted and not interested in being in the middle of a crowd? Maybe, but probably not, since she had to push her way through a crowd to get to Jesus.

Was she simply shy, and scared of being in the spotlight? Possibly, since she was trying to stay anonymous.

Was she embarrassed about her illness? Perhaps, since it was an issue that was a little more personal and one that all the doctors she had been to were unable to fix.

Was she humble? Probably. she didn’t want to bother Jesus when He was already in the middle of an important task.

Was she determined? Absolutely! Nothing would stop her from making her way to Jesus.

The woman who was healed was not interested in drawing attention to herself, or even in disturbing Jesus, but that didn’t stop Jesus from choosing to “be disturbed”. This woman displayed an extraordinary level of faith to believe in her heart that just touching the corner of Jesus’ robe would heal her.

She didn’t need to take any of Jesus’ time, attention, or touch. All she needed was a split second while He was occupied doing something else, and that would be enough. She got her moment, but with it, she lost her anonymity. Jesus was too aware of what was happening around Him, and she was caught.

But in this event we are drawn to pay attention to this woman, because Jesus singles her out. The woman realizes she was caught in the act and she expects Jesus to be mad at her, but instead Jesus tells her: “Dear woman, you are made well because you believed. Go in peace; be healed of your disease.” (v. 34)

Jesus holds this event up as an example for all of us about faith and belief. This woman’s faith could not remain hidden, because it would become an example to all Christ-followers throughout the years following this event about the extraordinary power of belief when our faith and trust is placed in Jesus.

This thought was inspired by studying the Walking With Jesus “Reflective Bible Study” package. To discover insights like this in your own study time, click here and give Reflective Bible Study a try today!

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