Mark 5
by Philip Layton
Jesus casts out demons, heals a woman and brings a dead girl back to life
Discussion Questions
- Why do you think Jesus asked the name of the evil spirit within the possessed man? Didn’t he know it?
- Can you imagine the impact in the area of 2,000 pigs drowning?
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Going Deeper – from 'Words of Life'
T he woman referred to in today’s Scripture not only suffered from a debilitating ailment; she also had been under the ‘care’ of many doctors (v 26). No doubt various concoctions were prescribed, costing her a small fortune, for she’d ‘spent all she had’ (v 26). She suffered from the doctors’ ignorance, maybe even their deceitfulness.
Things became even worse for her. She had nothing left in life – materially, physically, emotionally. Her only hope was to find this man called Jesus. Hearing he was to soon pass by, she managed to push her way into the crowd, thinking that if she just touched his clothes, she’d be healed. So she did.
The touch. It happened immediately. Her bleeding stopped. She was free from her suffering because of her faith. Healed – in every way possible.
Many brush against Jesus. Give lip service to him by singing songs, attending church. But they hesitate to reach out in faith; to ‘touch’ him. Hesitate to believe that Christ can meet their every need.
Jesus felt the woman’s unique touch – sensing the power go out from him. But why did he force this woman to admit that she did it? Perhaps he wanted her to publicly witness to the powerful touch of Jesus. He then pronounced a beautiful blessing and benediction upon her life – even addressing her in a most familiar way: ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering’ (v 34).
Daughter. Son. The touch. Christ’s blessing and benediction upon our life. How beautiful. How holy. But we have to purposefully reach out to Jesus. What hope we have in him!
Action
Today, as we appropriately touch others on the shoulder or back, or hand to hand, may we think of passing on God’s blessing and then remember to keep in touch with Jesus as we pray for those people throughout the day.
This will also bless us!
Beverly Ivany
Photo courtesy of FreeBibleImages.org