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. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

Mark 5:21-43

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. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” Mark  5:33-34

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 5:21-43, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's second (of three) division (vv24-34): 

• The commentary's title for the second division is "Jesus Responds to the Pain of the Diseased."
• The text focuses on Jesus's healing of a woman with discharge of blood for twelve years (v25), and the commentary first points us to Old Testament law (see Leviticus 15:25-30, 22:1-9, Numbers 5:1-4) led to those with discharge to live not just with their malady, but also with heavy stigma of being labeled as "unclean" and "ostracized" from the community.  This is of course a heavy burden with which to live. Yet once again, we Jesus help this woman.  
• Not fully understand who Jesus is, the woman did nonetheless believe that Jesus could heal her so she simply touches His garment. She believed and was healed immediately.  Upon being discovered by Jesus that she did this, she fell at His feet acknowledging her act.  Jesus demonstrates love and compassion as she serves as an example of why Jesus came - to heal.    

If you are an unbeliever, you must start with acknowledging that all of humanity is unclean without Jesus - Romans 3:10-12, 23, and 1 John 1:8. Just as He did with the woman in the text, Jesus heals us both spiritually and physically (per Revelation 21:4 upon death our bodies will be perfect and never decay).  If we confess our sin, seek forgiveness and then acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and Savior then we are saved (Romans 10:10).  Jesus seeks this type of faith where if we believe that Jesus will help us, then He will, and we must be prepared in desperate circumstances, like this woman, to fall down before Jesus in prayer.  Jesus saves and He hears and responds to our prayers.   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion for me - saving me while an enemy and hostile to You.  You have seen me through desperate circumstances, You never leave or forsake me, and You provide for all of my needs.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation, nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.