Sunday, February 26, 2023

Today’s Scripture Reading 
Mark 5:21–43

When Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet and begged him repeatedly, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well, and live.”

So he went with him. And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

While he was still speaking, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. Then he put them all outside, and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat. (NRSV)

Reflection

Jesus heals the rich and the poor, those with families and those who are alone. In today’s reading, he heals two women, but in other readings he heals men. Jesus, who is Jewish, heals people on the Jewish side of the Sea of Galilee and on the Gentile side. He heals a girl who is only twelve years old and a woman who has been ill for twelve years and has spent all her money on doctors who couldn’t help her. The girl is part of a well-to-do family with social prestige, and the woman has fallen into poverty and seems to have no family.

One of the things that I love about Jesus is that he heals individuals but also heals community. When he heals individuals, he is also reweaving communities together. After he heals the little girl, he tells people to give her something to eat. He calls upon them to help each other, to be community, to be family.

When the woman who has been ill for twelve years is healed, Jesus also calls her “daughter.” To this woman who appears to have no one with her, no one advocating for her, and who seems to have no more resources, Jesus honors her and claims her as his family. If she had no father before, now she has Jesus as her father. Jesus’ power makes a physical healing and also a social healing.

Prayer

Loving God, heal me and bind me to the household of faith. Make me an instrument of your love. Strengthen your church and help us to serve your world. Amen.

Written by Nanette Sawyer, Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Small Group Ministry

Reflection and prayer © Fourth Presbyterian Church

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