Gospel of Mark: Two stories of healing

Two stories of Healing

Text: Mark 4:35 – 5:43

Outline:

A. 4:35-41, Calming down a storm

B. 5:1-20, Healing a man with a demon

C. 5:21-43, Healing of two “girls”

Comments:

I told you I am a fan of Creation. Here we go again. Just look at the outline. Nature, then Man, then Woman (actually two of them – God loves His daughters). Now, let us go to the text.

A. Calming down a storm. After a series of parables Jesus tells His disciples to go to the other side… v. 36 says that THEY took Him with them in the boat. But we know it was more than 12 – see 4:10. So, how big was the boat, if it caried 12 + some more disciples with Jesus. Again, these guys were not dirt-poor nobodies – they had good established businesses. He reached out to those who have skills to change the world and a desire to use their own resources for it.

For sure, there is a contrast between sleeping Jesus and terrified guys. If they would only pay attention to their Teacher… Stop for a second or two… just look. If He is asleep (in the midst of the storm) maybe “it’s gonna be ok”?

What is worth noting is Jesus’ reaction – seeing them overpowered by the fear – He first calms the storm, THEN He addresses them. Addresses them with questions, forcing them to THINK… And they began to think in a right direction: “Who is this?” Comparing their boat experience to Psalm 107:23,28-32.

B. Healing a man with a demon. This is a very complicated story. It is NOT complicated in its plot. The complexity comes from unexpected details. For example, the man IS chained. Who puts him there? On one hand v. 3 and 5 says nobody could bind or subdue him anymore… So, maybe it means singlehandedly? This means that the men of the city together would catch him from time to time, and chain him back. Why? Because they did not want his “legion” to spread among them… Mean? Yeah… it is so called Scape Goat technic. Very popular in variations during antient times. Bible prescribes a goat – literally, Leviticus 16. While Antient Greeks use a human.

Therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised that people, after seeing what happened to the demoniac, ask Jesus to leave (5:17). They did not ask for defense. They did not ask for blessing. Who is really demon possessed in the story??

C. Healing of two “girls.” Here is a perfect example of sandwich story – one story envelopes another story. Jesus is back on the other side from the other side – he is back in Capernaum. A ruler of the synagogue comes to him and asks for healing of his daughter. This term is important, for it is the same word he addresses the woman who was suffering from bleeding. We’ll shift to her story now.

Jesus walks among the crowd. Someone touched Him, and His power healed a person. Sounds SO esoteric. Now let’s see. She wanted to touch his garment. Numbers 15:37-40 tell about the tassels at the ends of the garment. Then Zechariah 8:23 has a promise that people will hold of these ends of the garments and go where the God is. This woman expressed a sign of great faith. Bleeding for 12 years – being kept out of worshiping community for 12 years. A touch of Jesus restores her on physical, emotional, social, and spiritual level.

Now Jesus goes to awake a sleeping beauty. Note the number of people: sick daughter+ Jesus + 3 disciples + parents. Almost identical group to healing of Simon’s mother-in-law (Mark 1:29-31). Same way, Jesus takes her by the hand. Here He adds command – little girl, rise. Not being resurrected. Rise is a verb to be awake (from sleep). This is why St. Paul uses the same terminology – fallen asleep, 1 Corinthians 15:17-19.

Also, there is an interesting touch at the end as we find out that she was 12 years old – same time as the woman was suffering from bleeding. Girl’s young life almost ended, while the woman’s life was restored. He cares for all!