27th June 2021 Pentecost 5 (Fifth Sunday after Pentecost)
Time to Get up
(Scripture Reading: Mark 5:21 – 43)
By Heeyoung Lim
Jesus is our healer; He will always be by our side. He frees us from all sins and evil, and he tells us to go back and spread the gospel of God. Just like people who were healed in faith and obedience by the power of Christ, it is important that we too “go and tell”, share the words of Jesus, and live-in worship and gratitude. We can tell people how much Jesus had done for us.
Another gift of Jesus offers is consolation, and we are the ones receiving consolation and comfort by Jesus. The passage of Mark chapter 5 tells the story of Jesus’ compassion, genuine love, and healing. It tells us about a girl restored to life and a woman healed.
Crowds were gathered when Jesus and his disciples crossed back across Lake Galilee. One group asked Jesus to leave, while the other welcomed Him. Some denied and rejected Him, but some welcomed and followed Him.
Jairus was a synagogue ruler. This was a respected and honored position in the community. In the first story, Jairus threw himself down at Jesus’ feet for Jesus to save his daughter. Jesus went with Jairus to his house so that his daughter may be healed.
A woman touched Jesus’ clothes whilst Jesus was on the way. The woman said to herself, “If I can only touch his clothes, I will be rescued.” Immediately the flow of blood ceased, and she felt healing in her body from her disease. (29) The bleeding stopped when she touched Jesus in faith. Jesus was immediately aware the power had gone out of Him. (30) Only the woman knew what had happened to her when Jesus asked the crowd, “Who touched my clothes?” She came in fear and trembling, fell down before Him, and told Him everything. Fear and anxiety may accompany in our lives, but most important thing is “coming to Jesus” in faith anywhere, anytime. When our lives crowd in with all their pressures and uncertainty, there is still room for us to look at Jesus and lean on Him. One of the most remarkable things is the way in which the healing happened even when the healer was not expecting it.
Jesus did not rebuke the woman for touching Him. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you, go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” Jesus called her daughter and said that her faith made her well though itself powerless. Her faith was recognised by Jesus. He healed her and restored her to community. Jesus wants us to be made whole by His healing power; He wants us to be restored to our faith community and society. Jesus calls us daughters and sons in faith and peace.
While He was still speaking, some people came from Jairus’ house to say, “Your daughter is dead.” Imagine Jairus’ sudden grief and doubts at these words, but in verse 36, Jesus said to Jairus, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” Jesus comforted and encouraged Jairus, and He told him to just believe. Likewise, Jesus is telling us to have a continuous and ongoing faith.
Jairus walked to his house in faith with Jesus and three disciples, Peter, James, and John. These three disciples are also mentioned at the Transfiguration and in Gethsemane. (Mark 5) Jesus said, “She is not dead, she is asleep.” The crowd laughed at Him, but Jesus got on with what had to be done. Taking only six people, he went into the room where the dead girl lay. Jesus took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” Immediately the girl got up and began walking around the room. Jesus strictly ordered them that no one should know about this and told them to give her something to eat. Jesus is concerned about the physical dimension of her and our lives.
When I first read this, I was so impressed by the last verse that Jesus told them to give her something to eat. Life-giving moments were not the end but rather the beginning. Jesus showed His compassion, genuine love, and continuous care for the healed woman, resurrected chid, and grieving man. The words of Christ give us hope and strength in the reality that he does really lead us to go the extra mile in looking after others in His name. Wherever we are living, in a caring community or uncaring society, may we be people that can take the extra step in faith and obedience, by blessing and loving others one more time. I believe it can be one of ways to extend the kingdom of God.
We do not exactly know the reasons why He only raise Jairus’ daughter, the widow’s son in Nain (Luke 7), and Lazarus (John 11), or why He tells them not to tell anyone, but we know His aim goes much deeper; these things are some of His signs of salvation and healing through His death and resurrection.
It is time to get up from the darkness, emotional difficulties, and spiritual stagnation. The life-giving power of God is breaking into our lives, and the unconditional love of God is working through the world we face even in our suffering from illness, anxiety from uncertainty, and depression from long-term isolation or loneliness. May we turn on the switch of Jesus’ light by coming to Jesus and leaning on Him. Jesus is with us. May we get up and begin to walk with Jesus together.
Jairus who had a very sick 12-year-old daughter rushed off to Jesus and the woman who suffered for 12 years from severe bleeding touched Jesus’ clothes. They had faith in Jesus and Christ gave healing. Two stories are about fear and faith. Jesus turned fear into faith, showed His unconditional love for the sick and outcasts, and proved his authority over disease and death. Truly, Jesus is our healer and comforter. For Christians, even death is passage to eternal life.
We are often in all sorts of emotional, physical, social, and spiritual pain. But God is quick to comfort, and he always knows what we are going through. May we be people that search for the Spirit’s voice and listen out when He speaks. There are times in life, especially in our past that we are ashamed of. However, may we be people that continues to show love and faith towards Christ Jesus who gives us a peace of mind and comfort.
We live by the word of Jesus Christ, and it is what gives us strength and comfort. We read the word “immediately” three times in today’s text. Let us not postpone our love and action towards God and others. I believe our lives will be restored by Jesus’ healing and life-giving power. Our life cannot be the way it was before if we are with Jesus. May we live today as a gift from God, like it is the first day of our lives but could also be the last day too.
God has given us the gift of life, with the responsibility to look after the church. May we all be people that allow God to work within us by keeping a good balance with Church and our lives, to wisely mature through and to love one another by the love of Christ. It is time to get up in accordance with Jesus’ word! Let us spread Gospel so that more people can meet and believe in Jesus, and they will become Christians and more like Christ, believing that Jesus is our healer, comforter, lover, and Savior.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
(Ref. Bible, commentaries, theological books, UCA materials)
