Mark 5
Mark 5
One of the most prominent metaphors employed throughout the scriptures is the clean vs. dirty binary. The Torah is full of commandments for the Israelites to follow that allows them to be “clean” before their Holy God.
Ezekiel’s prophecies about what God’s restoration of humanity will look like. God says, “Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. Your filth will be washed away, and you will no longer worship idols” (Ezekial 36:25).
David, after committing adultery and murder, offers a prayer to God where he prays, “Wash away all my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51: 2).
Because God is holy or “clean,” those who are unholy, “dirty,” must be made clean to enter his presence. After the Exodus, we see Moses institute many rituals from God to cleanse people before they enter the Tabernacle, where God’s presence dwelt. Many emphasized this theme of cleanliness vs. dirtiness by including ceremonial washings. The idea that “dirtiness” doesn’t interact with God was ingrained in the culture. Whether it was eating pigs, touching blood, or coming into contact with death, one must become clean to come into contact with God.
But what happens when God enters our mess in human form? This was so counterintuitive to the cultural and religious landscape, which was built, in part, on the idea that one must become clean to interact with God. But Jesus flips this notion upside down in this chapter.
When demons oppress a man, Jesus frees him and casts the demons into pigs. Pigs were considered dirty according to the Torah, but Jesus entered the mess for the sake of this man.
Blood, especially menstrual blood, was considered unclean. Women on their periods were not to be touched by those ceremonially clean at the time. Someone who had a perpetual flow of blood, like the woman in this text, would’ve faced a degree of social rejection on top of having “ suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors.” When she touches Jesus, he does not shrink back, but he calls her to himself and heals her. Though culture and religion would’ve called her “untouchable,” Jesus heals her because of her extraordinary faith.
Lastly, Jesus raises a dead girl. Death is the antithesis of God. But God himself comes near to death and redeems it. In Jesus, God’s holiness, power, and character have come into our dirtiness not to be tainted by it but to heal it. This is the love and compassion of our God.
Most religious leaders at the time would’ve said that God would remain far from the gentile, the one enslaved by evil, the woman, or the dead. But God’s compassion and their faith brought God as close as possible - close enough for them to reach out and touch God himself. God entered our mess. And now, just like in Mark 5, he wants to draw close to you and cleanse you.
Do you relate to any of these people? Have you felt enslaved to a desire or an evil? Have you been told you’re not “______ enough?” Have you believed that your “dirtiness” has the last word? If so, come to Jesus and receive his cleansing power. Remember that God has drawn near to you, no matter your situation. He’s not put off. He’s here to love you, redeem you, and redeem you.
