Desperate Faith - Mark 5: 21-43
Scripture Reading
Mark 5: 21-43 (ESV)
Jesus Heals a Woman and Jairus's Daughter
21 And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. 22 Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet 23 and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” 24 And he went with him.
And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” 29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. 34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child's father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was. 41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
Reflection:
This passage gives us two intertwined stories: a desperate father fighting for his dying daughter and a desperate woman fighting through a crowd just to touch the edge of Jesus’ garment. Both are out of options. Both are hanging all their hope on Jesus.
Jesus doesn’t rush past either one. He stops for the woman in the middle of an urgent crisis. He calls her “daughter” when she probably felt invisible. He also goes all the way to Jairus’ house when everyone else has given up.
For worship leaders, this reminds us that the room we lead isn’t full of “fine” people—it’s full of Jairuses and unnamed women hanging on by a thread. We’re not just leading songs; we’re making space for desperate faith to reach out and encounter Jesus.
Personal Questions:
- Where do I need to bring my own desperate needs honestly to Jesus instead of just pushing through?
- Do I still believe He sees and cares for individuals in the crowd—including me?
- How has Jesus met me in my own “interruptions” and delays?
Team Questions:
- How can we stay aware that there are people like Jairus and this woman in every service we lead?
- What does it look like to build moments of space and sensitivity into our worship flow?
- How can we pray more specifically for people who are hanging on by a thread?
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You that You see desperate hearts and never rush past them. Meet me in my own places of need, and help me lead in a way that makes room for people to reach out and encounter You. Amen.