A Tale of Two Healings: Unique Yet Universal Encounters with Jesus

In the Mark 5:21–43, we see two dramatically different people with dramatically different situations approach Jesus in dramatically different ways. The encounters play out in a way that shows us a great deal about Jesus and how we can approach Him.

Contrasting Characters: Jairus and the Woman

The two characters at the center of these stories could not be more different. On one hand, we have Jairus, a "ruler" of the synagogue. As a leading member of the community, Jairus was a man of significant responsibility and social standing. The synagogue was not just a place of worship but also a community hub for Jewish education, prayers, and town meetings. Jairus’s position in this setting meant he was highly respected and had a prominent role in the community.

On the other hand, we have a woman who had been suffering from bleeding for twelve years. She was poor, having spent all her resources on futile medical treatments, and she was an outcast. According to Jewish law, her condition made her ceremonially unclean. She couldn’t participate in worship or community life, and everything she touched or sat on became unclean, further isolating her from society.

The stark contrast between these two individuals—one a respected leader, the other a marginalized outcast—illustrates the wide spectrum of people who sought Jesus. Whether we find ourselves at the top of the social ladder or at its lowest rung, we can see ourselves in either Jairus or the woman at different points in our lives.

Approaching Jesus

The manner in which Jairus and the woman approach Jesus also differs greatly. Jairus, upon hearing about Jesus, boldly approaches Him in public, directly asking Jesus to heal his dying daughter. His approach is straightforward and confident, reflecting his social status and perhaps his desperation as a father.

In contrast, the woman, having also heard about Jesus, approaches Him with a sense of unworthiness. She believes in Jesus' power to heal but feels unworthy to ask for His help directly. Instead, she sneaks up behind Him in a crowd, hoping merely to touch His garment and be healed.

Despite their different approaches—Jairus's public plea and the woman's secretive touch—both individuals demonstrate a profound faith in Jesus’ ability to heal. They seek Him out of desperation, each in their own way, and this faith, regardless of its outward expression, is what ultimately connects them to Jesus.

The Encounters Unfold

The woman’s encounter with Jesus is marked by immediacy. She touches His garment and is instantly healed. Jesus, aware that power has gone out from Him, asks, "Who touched me?" His disciples, puzzled by the question amidst the pressing crowd, miss the significance. The woman, trembling with fear, comes forward and confesses. Far from rebuking her, Jesus tenderly addresses her as "Daughter," affirming her faith and granting her peace and healing.

Jairus’s encounter is more prolonged and fraught with tension. Initially filled with hope as Jesus agrees to come to his home, Jairus’s hope is shattered when messengers arrive to inform him that his daughter has died. Jesus, however, encourages Jairus with the words, "Do not fear, only believe." Despite the skepticism and mockery of the onlookers, Jesus proceeds to Jairus’s house, where He takes the hand of the dead girl and commands her to rise. She does, to the amazement and joy of all present.

The Same Jesus for All

Jairus and the woman have encounters with Jesus that are very different in their circumstances but very similar because they both involve Jesus. These stories demonstrate that Jesus responds to each person’s unique situation with the same compassion and power. Whether addressing a synagogue ruler or a destitute woman, Jesus remains consistent in His ability to bring healing and wholeness.

The flow of healing and wholeness from Jesus is a central theme in both encounters. Normally, the woman’s touch would have made Jesus ceremonially unclean, and touching a dead body would have done the same. Yet, instead of being defiled, Jesus' purity and life flow into the woman and Jairus’s daughter, bringing healing and resurrection. This reversal of the expected underscores the transformative power of Jesus.

For us today, these stories assure us that healing and wholeness flow from Jesus into those who seek Him. Regardless of our status—whether we are rich or poor, respected or lowly, triumphant or struggling—Jesus responds to our faith, no matter how small or desperate it may be. His desire is always to bring healing and wholeness into our lives.

Faith as the Key

Both Jairus and the woman exhibit faith directed at Jesus. The woman’s faith, though small and desperate, is enough to make her well. Jesus acknowledges her faith and grants her peace and healing. Jairus’s faith, perhaps more a glimmer of hope than a robust belief after he is told that his daughter had died, is also directed at Jesus. Despite his initial despair, Jairus trusts Jesus enough to follow Him to his home, leading to his daughter’s miraculous healing.

These accounts highlight that faith, no matter its size, when directed at Jesus, makes all the difference. It is not the strength of our faith but the object of our faith—Jesus—that matters. In our own lives, directing our faith towards Jesus, even in our weakest moments, allows His power to work in us.

The Compassion of Jesus

Throughout these stories, the compassion of Jesus shines brightly. To the trembling woman, He speaks words of tenderness and peace. To the devastated Jairus, He offers words of courage and hope. Jesus’ responses are tailored to their individual situations, reflecting His deep love and understanding.

Jesus’ compassion is not limited to the characters in these stories. He extends the same love and understanding to us. When we come to Him with our brokenness and fears, we can be confident that He will respond with compassion and bring us healing and wholeness.

In these intertwined episodes, we see vastly different people in vastly different situations approaching Jesus in vastly different ways. Yet, the outcome is the same: they find healing and wholeness in Jesus. Whether we approach Jesus in boldness or trembling, with great faith or just a glimmer of hope, Jesus responds with compassion and power.

We seek Jesus not because we are perfect but because we need His healing touch. Our faith, however small, is directed at Him, and that is enough. We can trust that He will respond to us with the same compassion He showed to Jairus and the woman.

As we come to Jesus, whether we are full of hope or barely holding on, we can expect with certainty that He will lead us towards healing and wholeness. He walks with us through our darkest times, bringing His peace and joy into our lives.

Much grace and peace to you!