The story of Jairus's Daughter and the Hemorrhaging Woman can be interpreted as messages of how Jesus brings life to the dead. Those are completely valid and true readings of this scripture. However, as I prepared to preach this scripture last week, I found something else shining from the text. Yes, Jesus brought life back to people who had lost it. Jesus does that today. But there is also something in this scripture that we often miss.
Mark 5:21-43New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed
21 When Jesus had crossed again in the boat[a] to the other side, a great crowd gathered around him; and he was by the sea. 22 Then one of the leaders of the synagogue named Jairus came and, when he saw him, fell at his feet 23 and begged him repeatedly, “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 So he went with him.
And a large crowd followed him and pressed in on him. 25 Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, 28 for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” 29 Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. 30 Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 He looked all around to see who had done it. 33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. 34 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, some people came from the leader’s house to say, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing[b] what they said, Jesus said to the leader of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38 When they came to the house of the leader of the synagogue, he saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 When he had entered, he said to them, “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. Then 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 He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began to walk about (she was twelve years of age). At this they were overcome with amazement. 43 He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
We often get in the "trap" of over-spiritualizing our faith. Before you get angry, the Spirit is good! The Spirit is part of the Trinity. I'm not speaking of that spirit. Over-spiritualizing is when we begin to say that our physical existence doesn't matter and only our spiritual existence does. Over-spiritualizing occurs when we say our sole purpose to life is to get to heaven and none of the sufferings of this world matter. That cannot possibly be true. Jesus came as a God-man. God and Human. Jesus came in our form to sanctify this experience and to redeem it. Humanity and human existence matters. Jesus healed human suffering in this scripture and in many others. God the Father delivered human Israelite slaves from bondage. Humanity matters!
With that in mind, we see what happens. Jesus brings life in this scripture. But notice what happens BEFORE Jesus heals. Jairus and the Bleeding Woman must tell the truth of their conditions.
In churches, Christians often feel it is our job to pounce upon people and give them the truth of Christ as we understand it. Yes, we are to guide people to Christ. But sadly, well meaning Christians often take that as a battle order rather than a discipleship call. We forget that in order to make disciples, we must listen. And if we truly want to make disciples, we must let those whom we are charged to minister to tell the truth. We are in essence, "doctors" for God.
Think of going to the doctor. A doctor cannot treat an illness unless the patient tells the truth about his or her condition. Sometimes it feels embarrassing to tell your symptoms to the doctor, but yet the doctor patiently listens with care so that she can treat you the best she knows how.
Why aren't most churches places where we can tell the truth of the symptoms of our lives? Why do people feel they have to hide their problems from other Christians? Simply put, too many Christians disobey the plain words of the Lord - they judge, they gossip, and they shun. No, I'm not saying every Christian is like this. I've met many who are not. But as the saying goes, "It only takes one bad apple to ruin the barrel." As Christians we bear the burden of proof. We are ambassadors of Christ. As people see us, so they assume we are.
In our scripture, talking about a dead 12 year old girl is not pleasant. Talking about hemorrhaging for 12 years is not pleasant. In our churches, talking about suffering relationships is not pleasant. Talking about abuse is not pleasant. Talking about sins that we struggle with is not pleasant. Talking about questions or doubts we have is not pleasant. But they should be allowed so that people can come into a closer walk with Christ.
As Christians, we do not have to micromanage God. God can defend and take care of whatever happens. Our job is only to point to God. We don't have to judge. We don't have to have all the answers. If we truly believe in an all powerful God, then we should trust that God!
Making disciples means we have to listen. We don't get to choose who we meet or who God calls us to serve. People have real questions and people have real struggles. Committed Christians have real questions and real struggles. Why can't the church be a place of support rather than one of judgment and reproach?
If the church wants to be the church, then our call to authentic truth telling and vulnerability is something we will take seriously. Take an inventory of yourself and of your church. Can people tell you the truth? Can they be vulnerable to you? Can you tell the truth of your own struggles? Then, rather than sulking in the negative answers you find, do something about it. Be the example. This will not create a weak church - it will create a strong church - The one God intends us to be!
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