Mark 5:21-34

From Reject to Daughter

Devotional 26 of 50 · Mark chapter 5

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After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.” So they hurried away from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. “Do not be afraid,” said Jesus. “Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see Me.” While the women were on their way, some of the guards went into the city and reported to the chief priests all that had happened. And after the chief priests had met with the elders and formed a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money and instructed them: “You are to say, ‘His disciples came by night and stole Him away while we were asleep.’ If this report reaches the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the guards took the money and did as they were instructed. And this account has been circulated among the Jews to this very day.

Mark 5:21-34 · BSB

²¹When Jesus had again crossed by boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around Him beside the sea. ²²A synagogue leader named Jairus arrived, and seeing Jesus, he fell at His feet ²³and pleaded with Him urgently, “My little daughter is near death. Please come and place Your hands on her, so that she will be healed and live.” ²⁴So Jesus went with him, and a large crowd followed and pressed around Him. ²⁵And a woman was there who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. ²⁶She had borne much agony under the care of many physicians and had spent all she had, but to no avail. Instead, her condition had only grown worse. ²⁷When the woman heard about Jesus, she came up through the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak. ²⁸For she kept saying, “If only I touch His garments, I will be healed.” ²⁹Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she sensed in her body that she was healed of her affliction. ³⁰At once Jesus was aware that power had gone out from Him. Turning to the crowd, He asked, “Who touched My garments?” ³¹His disciples answered, “You can see the crowd pressing in on You, and yet You ask, ‘Who touched Me?’” ³²But He kept looking around to see who had done this. ³³Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him trembling in fear, and she told Him the whole truth. ³⁴“Daughter,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be free of your affliction.”

Jesus

Jesus’ family, His disciples, strangers, and even Roman guards all touched Him. But who actually touched Jesus? Jesus was on His way to heal Jairus’s daughter when this woman reached out and touched Him in faith. Even though she only touched His garment, Jesus was genuinely startled and noticed power had gone from Him. As she reached out in faith, seeking healing from Jesus, something miraculous took place.

Jesus was so in tune with the empowering of the Holy Spirit that He could feel it transfer through Him. He knew something had happened in the unseen realm; He felt power go out of Him. The Scripture says that immediately her bleeding stopped, and she felt this healing take place. She then felt fear as Jesus knew someone had touched Him. Because of her bleeding, she was ceremonially unclean, and the act of touching someone else would make them temporarily unclean.

Yet Jesus did not rebuke her; instead, He lovingly called her "Daughter" and affirmed that her faith in Him had brought healing. Jesus calling her "Daughter" should not be overlooked. She was likely called "unclean" for the last 12 years. Because of this, when she was caught touching Him, she was likely expecting a scolding, rejection, and more public humiliation by Jesus. Instead, He did not call her unclean, but He called her family—He called her His. Jesus welcomes all who come to Him for restoration, no matter how unclean they may feel, and He calls them His Sons and Daughters.

His Desires

Jesus delights in a faith that pushes through the crowds and even risks rejection to get to Him. He is never bothered by His children pursuing Him with faith. Even in the midst of important work, He is never too busy to stop everything to comfort and care for His hurting children.

Follow Through

Push past the obstacles to reach Jesus, relying on the Holy Spirit.
Look to Jesus in faith, knowing He is who He said He is.
Let the reality that He calls you His child sink in.

Testimonies

This is where people will share how they actually obeyed this passage — and read what happened to everyone else who obeyed the same words.

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Devotional 26 of 50

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Comments

Coming soon. This is where readers will share how they obeyed this passage.