Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 3 of 5
Devotional: December 2nd

Mark 5:21-43

A ruler of the synagogue, called Jairus, appeals to the Lord Jesus to heal his daughter. But while the Master is on the way there, a woman, whom no doctor had been able to help, secretly tries to avail herself of His power. Dear friend, perhaps you have searched all over the place for cleansing from your defilement; the Lord Jesus is still passing near you today. Do like this poor woman did; take hold of the hem of His garment (cf. Mark 6:56)!

The woman knows that she is saved and the Lord knows it too. But everyone must hear about it; that is why the Lord Jesus wants her to overcome her shyness, to make herself known, and to confess publicly "all the truth". In this way she obtains, in response to her faith, a word of grace infinitely more wonderful than just physical healing: "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace" (v. 34).

Meanwhile, Jairus’ house was filled with laments and cries of despair (though without any great reality; see v. 40). But with a word, the Lord Jesus comforts the poor father (v. 36) and turns the thoughts of this man (and ours) towards God. "Be not afraid, only believe". Then with another word – so touching that the Spirit has even given us it in the very language used by the Saviour – He brings the young girl back to life.