To read the texts click on the texts: Heb 12:1-4; Mk 5:21-43
In the text of today, Mark has used what is known as the
sandwich construction. This means that he has introduced the incident about
Jairus’ daughter being ill (5,21-24), interrupted it with the cure of the woman
with the flow of blood (5,25-34) and continued again and completed the incident
of the curing of Jairus’ daughter (5,35-43). The reason for this sandwich
construction seems to be to heighten the suspense. Since Jairus’ daughter is at
the “point of death”, Jesus must not tarry but hurry if she is to be saved.
Yet, Jesus tarries, confident in the knowledge that he can indeed raise even
the dead.
In these miracles, both of those who are healed are female, and
the number twelve appears in both. The woman has been ill for twelve years and
the girl is twelve years old. In both, the cure is the result of faith. These
incidents indicate that Jesus has power over both life and death. He is indeed
Lord of heaven and earth.
We may tend to give up and lose heart especially when our
prayers remain unanswered for a period of time. We may sometimes accept defeat
and stop praying. We may lose faith. These miracles call us to continue to hope
even if there are times in our lives when our prayers do not seem to be
answered. If we persevere and have faith like the woman and Jairus, we too can
obtain from the Lord what seems impossible.
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