On the surface in Mark’s Gospel concerning the event of the unnamed woman who was hemorrhaging for twelve years and Jairus’ 12 year old daughter who was dying, several things seem quite clear. Jesus wants us to be encouraged that it is never too late to have faith. Jesus wants us to understand that reaching out to him is not a risk and that he will take time for us understanding that we are all a priority. It is the reason I believe that Jesus delayed his route to Jairus’ house to recognize the needs of an unnamed woman along the way. However much deeper is the understanding of the limitation of what we know to be independence. The law of spiritual independence for the Christian is to be able to break through, to be free from the cultural norms (some of which can be misinterpretations and misuse of the physical laws), and the “crowds” when they prevent us from reaching out to God. Particularly in today’s economy it is important to understand that as we journey we may find our selves as the unnamed woman or the well-known official, either way survival of the fittest (our ability to adapt) may apply to the physical freedoms of this world but our true strength lies in the survival of the heart that continually seeks after God. To that end the original thought of being at wits end (Breaking Through) seems less likely because I believe it takes a lot of strength, courage and endurance to be able to break through. Strength comes with repetition. Thus, rather than being at wits end, Christ for the unnamed woman and Jairus, is the manifestation of 12 years of hope. Regardless of where we are in life, faith is not entirely about overcoming struggle but also being able to reach out to God at the most crucial times in our lives. We don’t ever need to find ourselves at wits end because in spite of everything, daily to ourselves, we just have to be able to say from the heart “I believe”.

Mark  5:21-43 “Daughter, your faith has made you well” …”Do not fear, only believe.”