Healing in His Wings by Marybeth Stafford

Gospel of Mark Reading Plan
Day 5 Reading: Mark 5

Pastor Lisa’s Journal
Scripture
If I but touch his clothes I will be made well. – Mark 5:28 (NRSV)

Observation
Mark 5 contains three huge healing stories.

• The healing of a demon possessed man, so strong he breaks chains, so ill he hurts himself and cries out like an animal, so far gone he lives in the tombs.
• The healing of a woman suffering from hemorrhages for 12 years. She’s so desperate she spends all she has on doctors, but only grows worse.
• A little girl so sick she dies.

Each situation involves a desperate outcast, a lost cause. Jesus changes all that, providing sanity, healing, and new life. Jesus’ involvement in these situations is scandalous because all three persons would have been labeled unclean according to Jewish law due to their association with the dead or blood. “Good” Jews would have had nothing to do with them because touching them would have made the good/clean unclean as well. Jesus breaks through the barriers and chaos, demonstrating the power of God and the will of God that the Kingdom of God is for all people.

Thy Kingdom come! Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!

Application
I admire the woman who remains hopeful after so many years of chronic pain, loneliness, and disappointment. Her condition labels her unclean, separating her from the worshipping community and table fellowship. Her condition robs her of time, companionship, energy and money. It would have been easy for her to simply give up due to the exhaustion and letdowns of daily living. Yet she does not lose faith. She continues to reach out for healing.

Prayer
Compassionate Christ, you draw near to those the world labels unclean, lost causes, and beyond hope. There is always hope with you. Come again to all who are desperate and despairing. Come with companionship and salvation. Come with encouragement and strength. Come with answers, healing, and new life. Come, sweet Jesus, come…

You are invited to name persons, institutions, and situations in need of Christ’s healing and hope…

Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

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For another devotion and original prayer based on Mark 5, click here

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