Healing for Fellowship & Life

Mark 5:21-43
Again, I apologize for my lack of writing, although this time, I have no excuse ready, I have simply been delinquent. Herb Cocking, formerly of William Tyndale College, spoke on this story at Lakeside about a month ago, titling the message Two Daughters. I missed, but was able to listen to the CD recently, although that particular message was drawn from the Lucan account. (Another parallel is in Matthew 9)

Although we don't know Jarius' heart, it seems a bit hypocritical for a synagogue official to be asking Christ for healing. They were not normally on friendly terms with the Lord. Even if he was sympathetic to the Lord, his associates would have been anti-Jesus. Still, one sacrifices one's personal grudges for the life of one's child.

Herb pointed out that verse 34 and it's parallels record the only time Christ calls anyone "Daughter." There are broad references to sons and daughters of Abraham, but Christ looks at a woman who Jewish law (and in a way, God) had declared unclean, and brings her near with a single noun. She was cowering on the fringes, afraid of potential punishment, more afraid that Christ would remove the healing she already had. But he commends her: "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering." That is a compliment and an encouragement for one who should not have touched Christ at all, because of uncleanness.

At this point, Jarius is chomping at the bit to get home. His daughter dying, and he's offering up his professional reputation while Jesus has a conversation with a woman LEGALLY UNCLEAN. Then, his worst fears are realized. But Christ is unconcerned. He's got a plan that makes horrid situations not only bearable, but moments of victory. The power He fully exhibits after the cross begins to be revealed hear: No force on earth, including death, can stop the advancement of God's kingdom, and the glorification of Christ.

Christ's touch moves a bleeding outcast into healing fellowship, and a sorrowing skeptic into a celebration of belief.