Faith, Hope, and Healing

Mark 5:21-24 21 When Jesus went back to the other side of the lake, a large crowd once more gathered around him. 22  While he was by the lakeside, one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came to him. When he saw him, he threw himself down at his feet 23 and implored him, “My little daughter is dying. I beg you to come and lay your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So Jesus went with him, and a large crowd accompanied him, pressing in on him.

Mark 5:25-28 25 There was a woman who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years, 26  even though she had been treated by many doctors and had spent all she had. Instead of getting better, however, she had grown worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, so she came up from behind in the crowd and touched his clothes, 28 for she said [to herself], “If I can just touch his clothes, I will be healed.”

Mark 5:29-31 29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed from her affliction. 30 At the same time Jesus, aware that power had gone out of him, immediately turned round in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 His disciples said, “You see the crowd pressing in on you, and yet you ask, ‘Who touched me?’!”

Mark 5:32-34 32 But he was looking around to see who had done it Mark 5:32-34 32 But he was looking around to see who had done it. 33 The woman, trembling with fear and knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and told him the whole truth. 34 “My daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace, and be free from your affliction.”

Mark 5:35-36 35 While he was still speaking, some people came from the synagogue leader’s house, saying, “Your daughter has died—why bother the teacher further?” 36 But Jesus, overhearing what they were saying, told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.”

Mark 5:37-38 37 He did not let anyone to go with him except Peter and James, and James’ brother John. 38 When they arrived at the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus found a great commotion, loud crying, and wailing.

Mark 5:37-40 39 He went in and said to them, “Why all this commotion and crying? The child is not dead—only sleeping.” 40 They laughed at him. But having put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was.

Mark 5:41-43 41 Then, taking her by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum!,” which means “My child, get up!”. 42 Immediately the little girl got up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). When this happened, they were all completely amazed. 43 He gave them strict orders not to let anyone know, and told them to give her something to eat.

One story (the woman with the flow of blood) is sandwiched inside another (Jairus and his daughter).

Miracles in the Gospel of Mark an integral part of Jesus’ teaching

Miracles in the Gospel of Mark an integral part of Jesus’ teaching linked to the proclamation of the Reign/Kingdom of God

Miracles in the Gospel of Mark an integral part of Jesus’ teaching linked to the proclamation of the Reign/Kingdom of God Even false prophets can work wonders (Mark 13:22-23).

Miracles in the Gospel of Mark an integral part of Jesus’ teaching linked to the proclamation of the Reign/Kingdom of God Even false prophets can work wonders (Mark 13:22-23). Jesus refuses to accede to requests to perform miracles to authenticate his mission (Mark 8:11-13)

Healing and Salvation the physical and spiritual realms are united in classical Hebrew thought Deliverance from illness is a type of deliverance from bondage to Satan

The woman who had a flow of blood an unnamed woman without a male sponsor

The woman who had a flow of blood an unnamed woman without a male sponsor Wording echoes that in Leviticus regarding menstruation

The woman who had a flow of blood an unnamed woman without a male sponsor Wording echoes that in Leviticus regarding menstruation A bloody discharge causes ritual impurity necessitating quarantine

The woman who had a flow of blood an unnamed woman without a male sponsor Wording echoes that in Leviticus regarding menstruation A bloody discharge causes ritual impurity necessitating quarantine Consequences of contact with a bleeding/ menstruating woman

The woman who had a flow of blood an unnamed woman without a male sponsor Wording echoes that in Leviticus regarding menstruation A bloody discharge causes ritual impurity necessitating quarantine Consequences of contact with a bleeding/ menstruating woman Treatments for menstrual disorders

“Who touched my clothes?” Beliefs in the healing power of touch

“Who touched my clothes?” Beliefs in the healing power of touch Importance of intention

“Who touched my clothes?” Beliefs in the healing power of touch Importance of intention Jesus immediately knew power had gone out from him, and the woman immediately knew she was healed, but no one else did.

“Who touched my clothes?” Beliefs in the healing power of touch Importance of intention Jesus immediately knew power had gone out from him. The woman immediately knew she was healed. Why did Jesus ask who had touched him?

“Who touched my clothes?” Beliefs in the healing power of touch Importance of intention Jesus immediately knew power had gone out from him. The woman immediately knew she was healed. Why did Jesus ask who had touched him? The woman came in fear and trembling, fell down before Jesus, and told the whole truth.

Mark 5:34 “My daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has healed you Mark 5:34 “My daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace, and be free from your affliction.”

Jairus and his daughter “Come and lay your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.”

Jairus and his daughter “Come and lay your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” The girl’s death challenged Jesus’ credibility

Jairus and his daughter “Come and lay your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” The girl’s death challenged Jesus’ credibility Jesus’ reaction to the news of her death

Jairus and his daughter “Come and lay your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” The girl’s death challenged Jesus’ credibility Jesus’ reaction to the news of her death Who are the mourners?

The Raising of Jairus’ Daughter “Little girl, get up!” “Get up” – the same word used for Jesus’ rising from the dead She immediately got up and began to walk about.

Comparing the Two Stories Both petitioners seek wholeness and fall at Jesus’ feet

Comparing the Two Stories Both petitioners seek wholeness and fall at Jesus’ feet Direct request versus surreptitious, unspoken one

Comparing the Two Stories Both petitioners seek wholeness and fall at Jesus’ feet Direct request versus surreptitious, unspoken one Faith is an element in the effectiveness of the healing

Comparing the Two Stories Both petitioners seek wholeness and fall at Jesus’ feet Direct request versus surreptitious, unspoken one Faith is an element in the effectiveness of the healing Touching that was forbidden by the Law

Numbers 5:1-3 The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “Command the Israelites to put out of the camp everyone who is leprous, or has a discharge, and everyone who is unclean through contact with a corpse; you shall put them out, both male and female, putting them outside the camp; they must not defile the camp.”

Jesus heals through touch those who are unclean according to the Law. 1:40-45: a leper 5:25-34: a woman with a bloody discharge 5:41-42: a dead person

Comparing the Two Stories Jesus’ words of compassion: “My daughter,” “my child”

Comparing the Two Stories Jesus’ words of compassion: “My daughter,” “my child” Healing versus resurrection

Why the secrecy? Some possible answers: Publicity forced Jesus to seek privacy (Mark 7:36, 8:10, 9:30).

Why the secrecy? Some possible answers: Publicity forced Jesus to seek privacy (Mark 7:36, 8:10, 9:30). Jesus confided the secrets of the new age of the Reign of God to those who were most committed to God and to him.

Why the secrecy? Some possible answers: Publicity forced Jesus to seek privacy (Mark 7:36, 8:10, 9:30). Jesus confided the secrets of the new age of the Reign of God to those who were most committed to God and to him. The time was not yet right – Jesus had first to be crucified and rise from the dead.

Healings and Exorcisms as signs of the Reign of God a restoration of order the defeat of Satan/evil/disorder

Meanings for Us

Meanings for Us Unseen miracles?

Meanings for Us Unseen miracles? Do we laugh off the possibility of what God might do among us?

Meanings for Us Unseen miracles? Do we laugh off the possibility of what God might do among us? God wants us to ask for healing; He delights in giving us good gifts.

Meanings for Us Unseen miracles? Do we laugh off the possibility of what God might do among us? God wants us to ask for healing; He delights in giving us good gifts. unanswered prayers

Psalm 30: 1-3 I will extol You, O Lord,     for You have drawn me up,     and did not let my Enemy gloat over me! O Lord my God, I cried to You for help,     and You have healed me! O Lord, You brought me up from the realm of the dead; You restored me to life as I was descending into the Pit.

Psalm 30: 11-12 You have turned my mourning into dancing;     You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, so that my soul may praise You and not be silent.   O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever!

Applying the Lessons of these Stories Do we dare believe that God wants us to ask Him to do great acts of healing among us?

Applying the Lessons of these Stories Do we dare believe that God wants us to ask Him to do great acts of healing among us? What would it mean for the Reign of God to be so visible among us?

Applying the Lessons of these Stories Do we dare believe that God wants us to ask Him to do great acts of healing among us? What would it mean for the Reign of God to be so visible among us? What would it require of us?

Fostering the Reign of God among Us God wants us to ask persistently, boldly Trust in God’s goodness – receive His grace Daily infilling

Lamentations 3: 22-23 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases,     His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;     great is Your faithfulness!

Lamentations 3: 18 Gone is my glory, and all I had hoped for from the Lord!

Lamentations 3:21-23 But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases, His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!

Lamentations 3:24-26 The Lord is my portion, says my soul;    therefore, I will hope in Him. The Lord is good to those who wait for Him,     to the soul that seeks Him. It is good that one should wait quietly     for the salvation of the Lord.