The Same Reach

Read This Week: Mark 5

Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him, “My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live.” So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better, she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” – Mark 5:22-28 NIV

Mark 5 contains one of the most beautiful contrasts of people that Jesus ministered to during His earthly ministry. It is a reminder to us that God is no respecter of persons, that He greatly loves all people and offers His salvation and healing to all who will reach to Him in faith. It is an illustration of the truth that we all come from different backgrounds, cultures, persuasions, and statuses, but we have the same reach and invitation to be known and changed by Jesus.

The woman with the issue of blood and Jairus could not have been more different. One was wealthy; one was broke; one was a successful person of note, and one was an anonymous street person. But both had tremendous needs; both were desperate; both pursued Jesus in faith, and both acted. Verses 22-23 and 25-27 tell us both of their respective plights and faith-filled, humble actions:

Then one of the synagogue leaders, named Jairus, came, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He pleaded earnestly with him… A woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak.

In response to their same reach, Jesus welcomed and helped both of them. He reacted in grace and mercy to their same pleas and reach for help. Both encountered the same Savior, the same authority, the same reception, and they both got the same response from God. The contrast and parallel between these two people reveal the comprehensive love and power of Jesus Christ applied and available to all people.

The wealth and notoriety of Jairus could not save his dying daughter any more than the desperation, sorrow, and distress of the woman could solve the health issue that was threatening her life. They both expressed the same faith with the same reach that led to supernatural healing. They both needed Jesus:

He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” … Jesus told him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” He took the child’s father and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Little girl, I say to you, get up!” Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). 

The takeaway for us is despite our differences, we all have the same opportunity to reach out to God. Not everybody has the same story, the same issues, or the same faith. But we all have the same reach, and Jesus responds to our faith no matter how weak or unsure it is. When we reach to and believe in Him, He freely shares His power with us, and unbelievable, special things happen in our lives.

12 Comments

  1. Heidi on December 17, 2021 at 9:03 am

    This is the song God led me to for this Wednesday. When we remember that Father God knows everything we need all we have to do is ask Him, seek Him, continue to inQuire because He is our help because He loves us. Enjoy the song!

    “Shoulders” by King & Country

    When confusion’s my companion
    And despair holds me for ransom
    I will feel no fear
    I know that You are near
    When I’m caught deep in the valley
    With chaos for my company
    I’ll find my comfort here
    ‘Cause I know that You are near
    My help comes from You
    You’re right here, pulling me through
    You carry my weakness, my sickness, my brokenness all on Your shoulders
    Your shoulders
    My help comes from You
    You are my rest, my rescue
    I don’t have to see to believe that You’re lifting me up on Your shoulders
    Your shoulders
    You mend what once was shattered
    And You turn my tears to laughter
    Your forgiveness is my fortress
    Oh Your mercy is relentless
    My help is from You
    Don’t have to see it to believe it
    My help is from you
    Don’t have to see it, ’cause I know, ’cause I know it’s true
    My help is from You
    Don’t have to see it to believe it
    My help is from you
    Don’t have to see it, ’cause I know, ’cause I know it’s true

    You can listen to the song by clicking on this link: https://youtu.be/k5NnzYK5tFA

    • Jason on December 22, 2021 at 10:17 am

      Thank you so much for posting this, Heidi. It is such a beautiful song with a lot of promising and hopeful truth. These lines kept sticking out to me as I read and listened to it:

      You carry my weakness, my sickness, my brokenness all on Your shoulders
      Your shoulders
      My help comes from You
      You are my rest, my rescue
      I don’t have to see to believe that You’re lifting me up on Your shoulders.

      What an incredible word picture and encouragement of how our Father cares for, loves, and sustains us in life even when we may not see it or feel it. He is always faithful!

  2. Heidi on December 17, 2021 at 9:34 am

    What has blessed me over the years is Father God showing me He is always here to help me through. Father was showing me a time in the early years of our relationship when I needed help. I was in church worshipping Him and pouring out to Him and I was listening to Him on what to do in my situation. I felt my Father God’s hand on my shoulder and I looked around and no one was close to me. But within days, God blessed me.

    No matter what we’re facing, our faith, hope, and strength comes from Father God, Jesus and His Holy Spirit. It’s always going to be learning to go to God for what we need until we go home to be with Him. No one is perfect, we all go through trials, situations, temptations, the list goes on. Just like these people in this chapter they ran out of options in their situations so what did they do? They went to Jesus, they realized they needed Jesus, they knew in their heart Jesus could help them.

    So despite where you’re at in your walk with God, remember that God is right there for you it’s never too late. He knows right where you’re at. All you have to do is reach out to Him like Jason wrote. Maybe you haven’t begun your journey with Him yet. All you have to do is ask Him into your heart, He knows what you have been through in your life the first step is to (pray) talk to Him, then listen then respond to what He says. Hope you all feel blessed today and always.

    • Jason on December 22, 2021 at 10:48 am

      There is so much incredible insight and commentary in your post, Heidi. This part convicted and challenged me in my own walk:

      No matter what we’re facing, our faith, hope, and strength comes from Father God, Jesus and His Holy Spirit. It’s always going to be learning to go to God for what we need until we go home to be with Him.

      It seems so rudimentary and straightforward, yet it is a truth and promise that we often forget or fail to recognize in our lives. Our life with God is a journey not a destination until we go home to be with Him. Our lives should be a perpetual going to, approaching, and learning from Him. The wonderful thing is when we do, He always responds with the faith, hope, and strength that we need.

      I also loved your personal story. I have a similar one that happened to me early in my Christian life at Brooklyn Tabernacle in New York City and it was no doubt the Lord’s hand on my shoulder. I am thankful for those moments that He let us know that He is near. He is such a good Father like that.

      • Heidi on December 26, 2021 at 8:27 am

        Aww, thank you for sharing that story! I am so thankful too for all the moments He lets us know He is near. I wish I would have written them all down. I guess it’s never too late to start.

        • Jason on January 6, 2022 at 10:51 am

          I am so thankful as well, Heidi! And I agree, it is never too late to start. That would be a powerful collection of stories that I know would bless others.

  3. Jeri Centers on December 17, 2021 at 10:16 am

    My post this week comes from Mark 5 verse 36:

    When darkness comes, don’t be afraid just believe.
    When storm clouds gather, don’t be afraid just believe.

    Darkness can’t fight the light, don’t be afraid just believe.
    Storms fall silent at his voice don’t be afraid just believe.

    Our Christ is with you don’t be afraid just believe.

    What that means to me is that you know the promise of God that He will provide for all your needs. You can also know the promise that God will never leave you or forsake you. Know all the promises of God for your life. All of God’s promises are His perfect love for you. You have no reason to be afraid no matter what is thrown at you in this life. Just believe the promises of God. Trust God and believe what he says and you will not be afraid.

    • Jason on December 22, 2021 at 10:30 am

      Thank you for this creative and touching post, Jeri. It is such an encouragement for all believers and one we need to hear and be reminded of every day. I can’t think of a better message during the Christmas season than this:

      Darkness can’t fight the light, don’t be afraid just believe.
      Storms fall silent at his voice don’t be afraid just believe.

      It reminded me of Matthew 4:16 and the true light of the world: “The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned.”

  4. Alma on December 22, 2021 at 10:14 am

    This week, God gave me a song from Mark 5 called “Praising”:

    We praise you, we praise you, we praise you, our Lord
    We have faith in the power of your name, we have faith in the power of your name.

    We have faith in you because you can restore our health, peace and love
    We believe in you, we are believing in you, our Father.

    We praise you, we praise you as we are trusting and relying on you
    You give us strength through the power of your name, strength through the power of your name
    Strength to stand with you through all things.

    We praise you, we praise you, we praise you, our Lord. Amen.

    We should always try to be quick responders to our Lord. He is so faithful and only wants the best things for his children. I have witnessed many things that I know can be only him. Thank you God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit.

    • Jason on December 22, 2021 at 10:36 am

      This is so good, Alma. It reads like a modern Psalm of Asaph. These lines really resonated with me and is a promising truth that is still on repeat in my heart:

      We have faith in you because you can restore our health, peace and love
      We believe in you, we are believing in you, our Father.

      Thank you for reminding us all that God is a restorer and sustainer. There is nothing outside of the scope of His provision and power to restore, recoup, or help us sustain in our lives. It is a hopeful message that points us to the heart and character of God and how He relates to us.

  5. Kathy on December 23, 2021 at 1:28 pm

    This was what God gave me in reading Mark 5. Demons have the goal of wrecking My image in Christians. But their tactics are restricted, because of their being disarmed by Jesus’s work on the cross. Do not let these spirits bind you with fear and unbelief. You can know who Jesus is, and not surrender to Him. You can pray to Him and not surrender to Him. When you are more afraid of what My son Jesus will do in your life, than what Satan does in the moment, you may often push Jesus away. The true change in your heart is shown by your desire to be with Jesus, and surrendering to My will. You can share your story with others of what you use to be, and how your heart change came about. You have an important ministry in your own family and in the community that you live in. Your ministry is wherever you are. Tell the message of what great things Jesus has done for you and in you. With Jesus, no one is beyond hope; Jesus can change anyone. Put yourself in the presence of Jesus, and humble yourself. Totally surrender to Him, and quit holding back. You must have total confidence in the power and the goodness of Jesus.

    What this said to me is I have to not feed into the enemy trying to bind me with fear and unbelief. I need to truly surrender to Jesus. With Jesus, I have hope. He will use my story to bring others to Him.

    • Jason on December 31, 2021 at 10:19 am

      Kathy, this post is so packed with powerful, spiritual truth. This line reads like a strong point from a sermon:

      Demons have the goal of wrecking My image in Christians. But their tactics are restricted, because of their being disarmed by Jesus’s work on the cross.

      This is so good. That is the Enemy’s concerted goal but the finished work on the cross prevents him from ever fully succeeding. What a hopeful truth yet makes us vigilant and focused.

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