Jesus Heals

Mark 5:21-42

When was the last time you felt desperate for God to show up? Bring that feeling to the forefront of your mind. I’d imagine what you felt at that moment was similar to how Jairus felt when he knelt before Jesus, asking him to save his daughter. As a synagogue leader, he had a lot to lose by putting his trust in Jesus’ power, but his desperation sent him to his knees, asking Jesus for the impossible.

Imagine how Jairus felt when Jesus stopped in a crowd, asking who had touched him. Jairus’ daughter was dying. This is a time sensitive matter, and Jesus was stopping to see who touched his robe. I would assume Jairus felt frustrated at Jesus’ lack of urgency. Jairus was obviously in a desperate rush, and the person who could help was paying attention to an unclean woman on the street who had touched his robe.

This other woman was desperately seeking Jesus, too. Outcasted for her condition, she also put a lot on the line by being “unclean” and touching Jesus. She wasn’t facing an imminent death like Jairus’ daughter, but she was as good as dead to society. In the Jewish culture at the time, having a discharge of blood made one untouchable. (Leviticus 15:19-23)

We see Jairus, desperate, even frantic, for Jesus’ help with a time-sensitive need. And there’s Jesus, taking his time and stopping in the street to help a “nobody.”

We see the woman, desperate and ashamed, reaching out for Jesus. And there’s Jesus, acknowledging and healing her.

If you’re desperate for Jesus, do you relate to either of these characters? Whoever you might resonate with, we see that Jesus sees them compassionately and meets their need. In the case of Jairus, it wasn’t on his timeline. But even when his daughter passed, and hope seemed lost, Jesus was there.

The compassionate Jesus who heals is with you. Are you desperate for him? Even if he doesn’t meet your needs or heal you in this lifetime, will you still desperately seek him?

The fact that Jesus stopped to meet a need on his way to a dying girl shows your struggle is not too small for him. Maybe you’re not actively dying, but Jesus still desires to heal your struggle. Will you allow him to?