Jesus Is the Great Physician

Mark 5:35-43

Jairus by now must be beside himself in anxiety and frustration. His daughter is at death’s door. This woman has been sick for 12 years—she could have waited another 30 minutes! Unlike Nicodemus, who came in the dark of night, he came in daylight, humble and begging. He demanded nothing, and look where it got him!

Note the similarities between Jairus and the nameless woman: (1) they knew only Jesus could help them; (2) they knew they were unworthy; (3) they fell down; and (4) they believed Jesus could heal. She got what she wanted. However, things for Jairus appear to go from bad to worse.

Jesus is interrupted with bad news: Jairus’ daughter is dead. Hope is suddenly gone. Jesus responds to the bad news with a challenge. It is as if He is saying: “Despite all appearances I am neither distracted nor disinterested in your need. I work in My time, not others’ time. I will not be hurried or dictated to. Believe and watch what I do.”

He takes the inner circle of Peter, James, and John. This is the first time He separates them from the others. Professional mourners had arrived to accompany the family with their “loud wailing.” It would have been quite a scene. Jesus rebukes them with a shocking statement that only invites their ridicule. He kicks them out of the house (!) and goes in with just the three disciples and the little girl’s parents.

Hard-core realists who breathe the air of skepticism will always be with us. They will mock our faith in a crucified Jew and ridicule our trust in a God we cannot see. They will laugh at your love for the Savior who has cleansed you of sin’s defilement and given you spiritual life by His atoning work on the cross. Nevertheless, believe. Have faith—not faith in faith, which is spiritual nonsense, but faith in the omnipotent, sovereign Lord Jesus whose authority and power are absolute and know no rival.

Jesus again does the unthinkable in that culture, a taboo of enormous magnitude: He touches the dead body of the little girl! With a gentle touch, as115 Mom and Dad look on through tears, He says, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”

The response, by now, should not surprise us! Immediately she got up, obeying the Master. They were “immediately overcome with amazement,” which is one of the great understatements of Scripture.

He gave a command to keep this quiet (for Messianic reasons). He instructed them to give her something to eat (for practical reasons). This little lady had been completely restored to full health. Like her spiritual sister in verses 24-34, her gender, namelessness, uncleanness, and impossible condition did not stop her from experiencing the healing touch of the great physician. Yes, we can believe in Jesus no matter what. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

What does this text teach me about God? God honors the faith of all who come to Him through Jesus. Social status, gender, or any other distinction does not matter. God cares for the demon possessed, the man of distinction, the outcast woman, and the little girl who is powerless. God truly loves the world of people without distinction (John 3:16).

What does this text teach me about sinful humanity? Disease and death are realities we must face in our fallen and sinful world. Ours is a world that desperately needs the touch and grace of God mediated through Jesus.

What does this text teach me about Jesus Christ? Jesus cares for the hurting. Jesus does His work on His timetable. When Jesus touches the unclean, they become clean as He takes on their uncleanness. Jesus gives healing and life to those who trust Him as He takes on our diseases and dies our death (Isa 53). He willingly gives up power for those who have no power.

What does God want me to know? We can come to Jesus with our request no matter who we are or what we have done. We must come to Jesus in faith, believing and not fearing (cf. Mark 6:5-6). God honors imperfect faith from a sincere heart when the object of that faith is Jesus.

What does God want me to do? God wants you to come to Him with any and every request. God wants you to trust Him regardless of the circumstances or situation. Why? Because He can be trusted to heal our diseases and conquer the great enemy called death. How do we know? We look to the cross and an empty tomb. Hallelujah! What a Savior!