Daily Bible Reading Wednesday 19th August 2020
Mark 5:30–43
30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 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. 34 And 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, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” 36 But overhearing1 what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” 37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James. 38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus2 saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly. 39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” 40 And they laughed at him. But 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 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” 42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement. 43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.
(ESV)
Teaching by Rev. William Moody
Why did Jesus ask who touched Him (v30)? As the Son of God, would He not have known anyway? Jesus wanted the woman to come forward in order to speak to her (v33). Jesus doesn’t just want to heal people or meet their other needs, He wants a real relationship with them. Does it excite you to know that Jesus wants such a relationship with YOU?
As you pray and read the Bible do you approach God seeing Him as just someone to meet your needs, or do you have a real desire to know Him better and to having a deepening relationship with Him?
The news in verse 35 must have made Jairus despair, but the words of Christ (v36) encourage faith. The people who came to mourn (v38-39) were not helping but a barrier to faith.
Jesus powerfully, yet gently restores Jairus’ daughter (v41-42). What an amazing Saviour! But notice His command not to tell others (v43). Again this is for the reason that Jesus didn’t want people to come to Him just to be entertained or just to have their needs met. Jesus wants people to come who are serious about a sincere relationship with Him. How well is that relationship? Is it growing and deepening? Pray about this.