Living out one's faith.
Living faith.
It's hard to describe. Can
you really measure it? Examine it? Dissect it? Completely understand it?
From two ends of the
spectrum -- both sides of town -- like a mathematical diagram -- the ruler of the
synagogue (for all to see) comes forward to Jesus while the "unclean
woman" (for no one to see) comes behind to Jesus. All points converge for
living faith to come to life.
To help provide some
insight to the woman who had lost everything (over a 12-year period), read Leviticus
15:25-27.
Can you even begin to
imagine this was the life being lived? Unfortunately, this type of religious
fervor still exists in some circles for reasons beyond my comprehension. Yet…
put ourselves in this woman's shoes. What would we have done?
Both the leader and the
once-respected woman had heard about Jesus and what he was doing. From within
them arose living faith.
I find humor in the
section where Jesus asked "Who touched my clothes?" The disciples
basically say, "Hel-lo! Hundreds of people surround us, grabbing at you
like a rock star. Who isn't touching you?!?"
But Jesus needs to know.
Someone was healed because of their faith. Someone's life will be different /
restored. He directly felt this. Who was it? That's why he stops in his tracks and
seeks out this person.
On the one hand, this
woman had to have been ecstatic. 12 years of a health condition that no amount
of money could solve, that no one could cure. Juxtaposed with awesome fear,
realizing there was someone who had
cured her. All by a touch. And her living faith.
On the other hand, she had
to be so afraid. What she did was forbidden! She had committed a grave sin. Yet
through her fear, a surge of courage came through for this woman to admit what
she had done. And Jesus is okay with what she did. All terror, all shame, all
fear, all suffering… it was gone!
Let's not forget the other
part of the story though. Back to Jairus.
Did You Know…?
The mention of the three
disciples -- Peter, James and John (brother of James) -- going to the home of
Jairus is a first in MARK. And "Scripture never explains why these men
were sometimes allowed to witness things that the other disciples were excluded
from." [i]
The trio was an inner circle.
They arrive at the home of
Jairus, and the people believe the child to be dead. As Marc from the study
group mentioned, "She could've been in a deep coma." Nonetheless, the
act of mourning has begun.
When Jesus tells the
gathered (and some paid) mourners that they are mistaken, they respond in
mocking tones, which in turn they receive a swift reply -- if you don't
believe, then move aside. Hope and trust are important. Bev from the study group stated she felt it
was a need for like-minded people to be centered -- to keep out the
distractions. From that point, the young girl's health is restored, which had
to have been an amazing moment to witness.
Let's not overlook the use
of the number "12" though.
* 12 years old -- the girl
* 12 years of suffering --
the woman
* 12 tribes -- Israel
For both the woman and the
girl, as well as for Israel, new life was being brought forth. A healing. A
restoration. A resurrection. Jesus was spreading the message of a new day, a
new life that the gospel brings.
Living out one's faith.
NEXT…
Open your eyes; spread
your wings
[i]
MacArthur Study Bible, p. 1469
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