Mark 5:25–28: “Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment; for she said, ‘If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.'”

January 31st, 2022 by Pastor Ed in devotional

Jairus was a ruler in the synagogue, and he came and asked Jesus to come to his home to heal his daughter. But as they went, a sick woman stopped them and received a healing. At first glance, the sick woman seemed to be an interruption, an inconvenience to the critical issue in Jairus’ life. No doubt Jairus was at first impatient by this interruption. After all, his daughter was very near death. In fact, while Jesus was healing this sick woman, word came that his daughter had died. But this woman was much more than an interruption, and for that reason, Matthew, Mark, and Luke mention her in their gospels. She had the faith that Jairus needed.

This woman represents us all. We are all sick with sin, and we have spent our resources on remedies that cannot remove the sickness. Jesus passes by and we need to reach out and touch Him in faith. We don’t need to fear that He won’t respond to us, only that we will let Him pass without reaching out in faith to Him. Jairus was of course closely watching everything that was happening in front of him, and was strengthened by this interchange between the woman and Jesus. His faith had grown and been strengthened by witnessing this miracle. And his faith needed that support because a huge challenge was coming that very instant. When word came that his daughter was dead, Jesus said, “Do not be afraid; only believe.” How would he respond? Just like the woman who had suffered, Jairus believed. He went with Jesus, and his daughter came back to life.

“LORD, help us to see the interruptions in this day as from Your hand.”