Mark 5:25-29
“A woman who had suffered a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years—a long succession of physicians had treated her, and treated her badly, taking all her money and leaving her worse off than before—had heard about Jesus. She slipped in from behind and touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, “If I can put a finger on his robe, I can get well.” The moment she did it, the flow of blood dried up. She could feel the change and knew her plague was over and done with.”
“Jesus went with him, and all the people followed, crowding around him. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but shea had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse. She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe. For she thought to herself. “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” Immediately the bleeding stopped, and she could feel in her body that she had been healed for her terrible condition.”
This woman was an outcast as surely as any leper. Only those who also experience menstruation can appreciate how terrible this dysfunction of her uterus was. In addition to chronic pelvic pain, continual bleeding would have caused skin breakdown. Menstrual odor in that warm climate must have been terrible. While the bleeding could be hidden the odor could not. This, and the continual washing of menstrual clothes was an advertisement. Unclean! The psychological pain must have been severe. Yet instead of being angry at God she pushed through the crowd to be near him. He answered her muted cry.
Lord, thank you for delivering me from this same ailment. May I ever follow this woman’s example of pushing through the crowd and the pain, reaching out to touch you. Please don’t ever let me go.
Mark 5:21-24
“After Jesus crossed over by boat, a large crowd met him at the seaside. One of the meeting-place leaders named Jairus came. When he saw Jesus, he fell to his knees, beside himself as he begged, ‘My dear daughter is at death’s door. Come and lay hands on her so she will get well and live.’ Jesus went with him, the whole crowd tagging along, pushing and jostling him.”
“Jesus got into the boat again and went back to the other side of the lake, where a large crowd gathered around him on the shore. Then a leader of the local synagogue, whose name was Jairus, arrived. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet, pleading fervently with him. ‘My little daughter is dying,’ he said. ‘Please come and lay your hands upon her; heal her so she can live.’””
Jairus loved his little girl regardless first century Jew’s attitude toward women. He was willing to turn over every stone as he strove for her healing. He was heedless even of his position and reputation in seeking Jesus help. God spoke to Jairus’ household through this severe illness. Tough times bless true seekers in surprising ways.
Lord, thank you for speaking to me through your word. It is a great privilege. Grant me faith and courage to live as Jairus did; seeking you whatever the cost.
Mark 5:18-20
“As Jesus was getting into the boat, the demon-delivered man begged to go along, but he wouldn’t let him. Jesus said, ‘Go home to your own people. Tell them your story—what the Master did, how he had mercy on you.’ The man went back and began to preach in the Ten Towns area about what Jesus had done for him. He was the talk of the town.”
“As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, ‘No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.’ So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.”
This man of tragedy learned many things from Jesus: healing joy, wonder of God’s power, experience of normal emotions and sensations, safety from evil, and hope for a rosy future. What a contrast with his past. Perhaps he assumed he would be allowed to follow Jesus too. But Jesus had other plans. This man was to preach to others of his deliverance and his text would be God’s mercy. No person was beyond the reach of God’s powerful arm of redemption and healing.
Lord, thank you. Neither am I beyond your reach when I wander afar. Your powerful arm ever pulls me home to the warmth of your embrace. Truly, you are all that is beautiful and I the opposite, hopelessly enmeshed in the power of sinful ugliness. Thank you for finding and keeping me safe.
Mark 5:6-13
“When he saw Jesus a long way off, he ran and bowed in worship before him—then howled in protest, ‘What business do you have, Jesus, Son of the High God, messing with me? I swear to God, don’t give me a hard time!’ (Jesus had just commanded the tormenting evil spirit, ‘Out! Get out of the man!’) - Jesus asked him, ‘Tell me your name.’ He replied, ‘My name is Mob. I’m a rioting mob.’ Then he desperately begged Jesus not to banish them from the country. - A large herd of pigs was grazing and rooting on a nearby hill. The demons begged him, ‘Send us to the pigs so we can live in them.’ Jesus gave the order. But it was even worse for the pigs than for the man. Crazed, they stampeded over a cliff into the sea and drowned.”
“When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. With a shriek, he screamed, ‘Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!’ For Jesus had already said to the spirit, ‘Come out of the man, you evil spirit.’ Then Jesus demanded, ‘What is your name?’ And he replied, ‘My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.’ Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place. There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. ‘Send us into those pigs,’ the spirits begged. ‘Let us enter them.’ So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about , pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.”
We moderns have foolishly minimized the world of evil spirits. This mob of evil spirits had a name, identity, and personality, and they knew Christ was coming for them. Like many of us, they didn’t want to leave home. The spirit world is not without definition just because we know so little about it. It is complex with a history of its own (Luke 10:18, Rev. 12:7) and is bent towards destruction of all God wants to build. The more aware we are of its existence the more prepared we are to travel the walk of faith.
It is interesting to see animals may carry evil spirits also. Perhaps this is why God demands animals who take human life must be destroyed. (Genesis 9:5)
Lord, open my eyes to the world of the spirit. Let me see its subtle delineations that I may prevail against it in prayer by the leading and power of your Spirit. Make me as steel, a weapon of war against it.
Mark 5:1-5
“They arrived on the other side of the sea in the country of the Gerasenes. As Jesus got out of the boat, a madman from the cemetery came up to him. He lived there among the tombs and graves. No one could restrain him—he couldn’t be chained, couldn’t be tied down. He had been tied up many times with chains and ropes, but he broke the chains, snapped the ropes. No one was strong enough to tame him. Night and day he roamed through the graves and the hills, screaming out and slashing himself with sharp stones.”
“So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from a cemetery to meet him. This man lived among the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.”
This is what is left when our personality entirely breaks apart, terrifying and unexplainable. All of us would look like this if the brokenness of sin entirely had its way. Satan’s destructive intent would be completely fulfilled. Jesus arrived, Satan was vanquished, and light and life dawned. Christ redeemed this Gerasene and the Devil’s purpose was aborted. No one, regardless how much Satan has perverted their being, is beyond his reach. He can make all of us into his children, growing us with his love, protecting us by his Spirit.
Lord, thank you for giving me a glimpse, now and then, of the utter depravity of my inherited sinfulness. It is frightening. Thank you for rescuing me, restoring me, and making me the object of your amazing love.
Mark 4:35-41
“Late that day he said to them, ‘Let’s go across to the other side.’ They took him in the boat as he was. Other boats came along. A huge storm came up. Waves poured into the boat, threatening to sink it. And Jesus was in the stern, head on a pillow, sleeping! They roused him, saying, ‘Teacher, is it nothing to you that we’re going down?’ - Awake now, he told the wind to pipe down and said to the sea, ‘Quiet! Settle down!’ The wind ran out of breath; the sea became smooth as glass. Jesus reprimanded the disciples: ‘Why are you such cowards? Don’t you have any faith at all?’ They were in absolute awe, staggered. ‘Who is this, anyway?’ they asked. ‘Wind and sea at his beck and call!’”
“As evening came, Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Let’s cross to the other side of the lake.’ So they took Jesus in the boat and started out, leaving the crowds behind (although other boats followed). But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water. Jesus was sleeping at the back of the boat with his head on a cushion. The disciples woke him up, shouting, ‘Teacher, don’t you care that we’re going to drown?’ When Jesus woke up, he rebuked the wind and said to the waves, ‘Silence! Be still!’ Suddenly the wind stopped, and there was a great calm. Then he asked them, ‘Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?’ The disciples were absolutely terrified. ‘Who is this man?’ they asked each other. ‘Even the wind and waves obey him!’”
We’ve all resented others following too close when we wanted someone to ourselves. Jesus and the disciples had just finished a long hard day of service. Jesus was exhausted. They also would have been very tired. Yet their followers did not want them to go, so they trailed along. Had I been there I would have resented their nearness, and heartily wished they would go home. I might not have wondered if they made it safely out of the storm. Our heavenly father grows us by bringing just such situations into our daily life. The challenge is to recognize them for what they are, bow down, and follow our Lord.
This was a big miracle in the universal senuse. Individual healing was one thing. Someone who controlled the laws of nature was something else, bigger than the disciples could imagine. With this miracle Jesus stepped into their imagination as ‘son of God’, not just a wise healer. Every now and then he boosts our faith with this kind of work in our lives. He knows when we truly need it and it is more precious for his perfect timing.
Lord, I am amazed at your patience with me when I hunger for signs and miracles instead of my prayer closet. Thank you for redirecting me so gently. You parent me perfectly! Thank you for the miracles you do in my life when I need them most and the burst of faith they bring. You are wonderful.
Mark 4:33-34
“With many stories like these, he presented his message to them, fitting the stories to their experience and maturity. He was never without a story when he spoke. When he was alone with his disciples, he went over everything, sorting out the tangles, untying the knots.”
“Jesus used may similar stories and illustrations to teach the people as much as they could understand. In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.”
Jesus taught by using stories, not by doing deep studies on the law. They were how these Galilean peasants absorbed the subtleties of the gospel. We are more similar to them then to Pharisaical scholars and it is how we learn best too. Evangelical zest for the inerrancy of God’s Work minimized the use of stories. Thankfully the power of storytelling is being revived today in untangling and untying the knots of scripture.
It is easy to envy the disciples for the wealth of stories told them. How wonderful it would be to hear them all. Maybe someday we will. For now, it is enough to know the stories coming down to us are those God wants us to hear, the ones we all need.
Lord, I rejoice in the simplicity by which you teach and speak to me. Your voice is so clean and clear, in contrast to worldly complexity. Thank you for teaching me to hear it. It anchors me to you, my rock and my redeemer.
Mark 4:30-32
“How can we picture God’s kingdom? What kind of story can we use? It’s like an acorn. When it lands on the ground it is quite small as seeds go, yet once it is planted it grows into a huge oak tree with thick branches. Eagles nest in it.”
“Jesus said, ‘How can I describe the Kingdom of God? What story should I use to illustrate it? It is like a mustard seed planted in the ground. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.’”
The Kingdom of God is no wimpy thing. It is easy to think it is on the defensive in this wild and woke world. But Jesus said it is powerful, in energy and size and its growth is vigorous. Its size provides shelter, allowing us to leave our shells, eat milky bugs and pablum grain, and fledge into the wild. All our lives we remain anchored to its trunk and branches for sustenance and growth. May we never leave it for the land of self-determination.
Lord, I am afraid of my tendency to wander and leave you. Please keep me tethered and safe, hand in hand with you, living at the center of you will. And grow me, according to your perfect purpose.
Mark 4:26-29
“Then Jesus said, ‘God’s kingdom is like seed thrown on a field by a man who then goes to bed and forgets about it. The seed sprouts and grows—he has no idea how it happens. The earth does it all without his help: first a green stem of grass, then a bud, then the ripened grain. When the grain is fully formed, he reaps—harvest time!’”
“Jesus also said, ‘The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how. It happens. The earth produces crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens. And as soon as the grain is ready, the farmer comes and harvests it with a sickle, for the harvest time has come.’”
God’s Spirit moves about, preparing heart’s soil, nourishing seed and birthing a harvest. We don’t know how he does it and don’t have to. How wonderful our only responsibility is to plant the seed. May all we believers live in a way that broadcasts seed everywhere we go.
Lord, help me to live every moment in a way that sews the seed of your Good News. Shine through me with your great love that others may not just see it but feel it too.
Mark 4:13
“He continued, “Do you see how this story works? All my stories work this way.””
“Then Jesus said to them, “If you can’t understand the meaning of this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?””
Jesus called his disciples, ancient and contemporary, to a new way of thinking and new point of view. It was pre-requisite to understanding God’s work in the world. Jesus knew the Holy Spirit who would come after his death would made this possible. They needed to leave the hard lines and sharp corners of Judaism’s rules behind, entering into the wild and wonderful world of God’s Spirit, upside down, backwards, inside out, a most satisfying adventure.
Lord, I want to travel with you. I want to share it with others, inviting them into the excitement. Make me ever new in viewing and understanding this world, in preparation for the next, all for your glory.
Mark 4:9
“Are you listening to this? Really listening?”
“Then he said, ‘Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.’”
We are not taught to listen as we ought. Listening well makes it possible to discern other’s point of view and read between the lines of a conversation, in print or in person. Unfortunately, there is not much evidence of this skill in public discourse. But Jesus calls his followers to develop it. It is the first step to critical thinking and discernment. May we learn to do it well.
Lord, help me to listen better to those close to me. Give me patience to stop and wait as they gather their thoughts. Help me to accurately and fairly parse other’s speech and writing. Grace me to listen to others as you faithfully listen to me.
Mark 4:3-8
“Listen. What do you make of this? A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled among the weeds and nothing came of it. Some fell on good earth and came up with a flourish, producing a harvest exceeding his wildest dreams.”
“Listen! A farmer went out to plant some seed. As he scattered it across his field, some of the seed fell on a footpath, and the birds came and ate it. Other seed fell on shallow soil with underlying rock. The seed sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow. But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died. Other seed fell among thorns that grew up and choked out the tender plants so they produced no grain. Still other seeds fell on fertile soil, and they sprouted, grew, and produced a crop that was thirty, sixty, and even a hundred times as much as had been planted!”
These are hard words to read when you have someone in your life whose faith is growing cold. The only thing to do is throw oneself upon God’s mercy on their behalf and pray. Their blindness to their own faltering faith translates into blindness in other directions too. We can trust God to give them every opportunity to return to him, and must rest in that. Still, it is hard.
Lord you know the ones I am worried about. Show me how to pray for them. Keep prodding to get their attention. Give me faith to keep praying.