Mark 5:21-43 A Somebody and a Nobody

First Things: Devotions in Mark’s Gospel

Mark 5:21-43 A Somebody and a Nobody

This longer section of Mark’s Gospel is a “sandwich” section. These are a common feature used by Mark. In this case, we see the two passages tied together by the reference to “twelve years,” both of the age of the deceased/resurrected daughter, and regarding the length of the woman’s illness.

What I would like to point out from these stories is the contrast of characters. It tells us something about the ministry of Jesus; the heart of Jesus.

First we have Jairus, a synagogue official. He was a respected, religious leader. And, in his desperation, he was willing to come to Jesus for help. This is important, since those who look up to him might be willing to follow his lead, and to consider believing in Jesus.

“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.”” (Mark 5:22–23 NAS95)

On the other hand, we have a nameless woman who also is desperate. She comes to Jesus, though her approach is different. Jairus asks for considerable time and attention. His request implies that Jesus must stop doing what he was doing - don’t go where you were planning to go - and come to my house instead. “Make my daughter a priority.” Now we wouldn’t expect anything less from a worried father. But it is a contrast nonetheless. 

“A woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but rather had grown worse — after hearing about Jesus, she came up in the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak.” (Mark 5:25–27 NAS95)

The unnamed woman merely wants to approach Jesus as discreetly as possible, and touch him. If she could be healed without speaking to Jesus; without interrupting him - that would be ideal. Perhaps also she does not want to be noticed. Jesus is not going to allow that to happen.

And so, perhaps, in these two examples we can see the seeds of two different sins. One the one hand, we have Jairus who assumes that he is worthy of Jesus attention, even as he falls at Jesus’ feet. He may assume that this will be good for Jesus. And he might be right, though I doubt any of us are very good at deciding what is good for God and God’s purposes. On the other hand, we have a woman who wants the benefit without being noticed, as though God’s salvation might visit us without a real interaction with Him. On which side do you tend to fall? I know where I am on this, and I find it convicting.

But the larger point is this: Jesus is willing to enter into a saving relationship with both “somebody’s” and “nobody’s”. The “somebody” in this story was probably a little frustrated that Jesus’ approach to his house might be delayed by the interruption of this woman. How dare she get in the way? The “nobody” in this story was compelled to do something most uncomfortable: to speak to Jesus; to admit her condition; to face her shame. The amazing point is not so much what we learn about the man or the woman, but what we learn about Jesus. He has time and attention for me and for you. And, both were helped by Him.

“And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”” (Mark 5:34 NAS95)

“Taking the child by the hand, He *said to her, “Talitha kum!” (which translated means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. And immediately they were completely astounded.”(Mark 5:41–42 NAS95)