Read Mark 5: 24 – 34
Freed From Suffering

Summary/Thoughts:

This passage is nestled right in the middle of the account of Jairus daughter.  Jesus was on his way to Jairus house when the woman with the bleeding problem entered the picture. If you or a loved one has suffered a long time with a chronic illness or disease, then you can relate to the woman in this account.  She had suffered 12 years with a bleeding disorder. It’s very likely, due to Jewish law, her condition made her ceremoniously unclean and therefore ostracized her from society.  

This woman heard Jesus was in town so she sought him out.  We see the extent of her long-term suffering in verse 26: “She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse.” 

Word had gotten around town about Jesus, so having nothing to lose, she joined the crowds pushing against him, all seeking healing.  Believing he had the power to heal her, she felt all she needed to do was reach out and touch his clothes. Just touching the hem of his garment would be enough in her eyes.  So when she reached out and touched his cloak, she immediately felt in her body that she was healed.  

But she wasn’t the only one that felt that touch.  Jesus felt it as well, and describes it as “power had gone out from him”.  Confusing his disciples due to the multitude pushing up against him, Jesus asked who had touched him.  Trembling and fearful, she told the whole truth.

That act of faith is what got this response from Jesus, “Daughter your faith has healed you.  Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” And she did.

Questions:

1.  This woman saw many doctors and spent all of her money to no avail.  Why do you think she still sought Jesus after so many disappointments?
2. Why do you think Jesus asked who touched Him?
3. What can you learn from this woman’s faith which led to her healing?

Read Mark 6: 7 – 12
The 12 disciples go out healing people

Summary/Thoughts:

Jesus gathered His 12 disciples, paired them off two by two, and gave them authority over evil spirits.  They were to take nothing with them but a staff. Interesting that a staff is the primary tool of a shepherd.  It was used to protect sheep, direct them, and even yank them by the neck if they were going in the wrong direction.

These 12 men were to go out preaching repentance, driving out evil spirits and healing people.  They also anointed many sick people with oil, healing them. Anointing with oil is another shepherd’s tool.  Shepherds would pour oil on sheeps’ heads to relieve them of nasal flies that would cause great aggravation and inflammation.  The oil was a healing salve for the sheep. King David even wrote about this practice in the Shepherd’s Psalm 23. “You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.”

Questions:

1.  Jesus gave His disciples authority over evil spirits.  Why do you think He did that?
2. Why do you think the disciples were to only take a staff with them?
3. What does the sheep/shepherd analogy mean to you?  Read Psalm 23 about Jesus our Great Shepherd.

Read Mark 6: 53-56
Running to Jesus

Summary/Thoughts:

Picture Abraham Lincoln in your mind.  He had a long face, usually with a beard, and a weary look from the wages of leading a country at war.  You and I have never met Honest Abe, but we recognize his face from pictures, drawings and statues of him.  

Now put yourself in the days of Jesus.  There were no magazines, photos, nor social media apps to feature the likes of Jesus, yet in this account, people recognized Jesus. How would they know what he looked like unless He had done some crazy cool stuff and word was getting out quickly?  That’s exactly what was going on in this story as Jesus arrived with his disciples and anchored their boats. People immediately recognized him and ran to get their sick loved ones in the hopes that He might cure them. They went so far as to put them on mats and run to the marketplace to get them before Jesus.  There was no cell phone to alert them when Jesus was coming. They waited with great expectation for Jesus.

Have you ever carried a grown adult around?  That can’t be an easy task. It’s not like they could put the person in a car and rush over.  They literally carried them from all over the region, not knowing if He’d still be there. They believed that if they only touched the edge of His cloak He would still heal them.  

So when they heard stories in the marketplaces, around the town wells, and synagogues of this guy Jesus who had actually healed people, you can bet they got a detailed description of him so they would never miss an opportunity if He was in their midst.  Wouldn’t you do the same?

Questions:

1. Is there anyone you’d drop everything to go see?
2. If Jesus came to town today, what would you do?
3. Recognizing Jesus meant they had heard of Him and His miracles.  Are you seeking Jesus?

Read Mark 7: 24-30
Barging In

Summary/Thoughts:

Have you ever gone home one day and just wanted time alone?  No distractions. No work. No one needing you. Just quiet time.  In this account, Jesus was in that mode. He was in a house with His disciples.  The text says that He did not want anyone to know it, yet He could not keep his presence secret.

Barging into the home comes a woman whose little daughter was demon-possessed.  It may seem rude that she interrupted Jesus’ personal time with His disciples. She didn’t care because she was a mother desperate to see her child healed.  This interruption is a possible explanation for Jesus saying, “First let the children eat all they want for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.  He was the Bread of Life and was having time alone with His disciples. This time alone was a priority, yet the woman’s response to his rebuike showed her great faith.  

“‘Yes Lord,’ she replied, ‘but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s bread.’”  She was willing to get just a crumb from Jesus because she believed a small crumb of His power could heal her daughter.  Jesus rewarded her faith by healing her daughter.  

Questions:

1. What did you learn from this woman as she pursued healing for her daughter?
2. What did you learn about Jesus and His response to her?
3. Have you been so desperate you’d just take a crumb?

Read Mark 7:31-36
Jesus heals the deaf man

Summary/Thoughts:

Immediately following Jesus respite in Tyre, He went into Decapolis where some people brought to him a man who was deaf and mute and begged for him to place his hands on the man. Look closely at what Jesus does next.  It’s actually quite unconventional.  

The people asked Jesus to place His hands upon the man.  Jesus went one step further. He leads the man away from the crowd, puts his fingers into the man’s ears and spits and touches the man’s mouth, and with a deep sigh said to the man:  “Be opened.”

The man’s ears were opened and he began to speak plainly.  Again, Jesus tells them not to tell anyone what happened. Word continues to spread and people were overwhelmed with amazement exclaiming that Jesus has done everything well, making deaf hear and mute speak. 

Questions:

1. What did the people ask of Jesus when they brought the man to him?
2. What are your thoughts about why Jesus would put his fingers in the man’s ears and spit and touch his tongue?
3. We read here again Jesus not wanting others to know what He was doing.  What do you think you would do if you were in their situation?