More words of encouragement today (Hebrews 12:1-4) for the Hebrew Christians to whom this letter is addressed, urging them to remain faithful to their Christian calling and not to be tempted to fall back to the old ways. First, Paul reminds them of “so great a cloud of witnesses” to the faith. He is referring to that impressive list of Old Testament heroes mentioned in the previous chapter, some of whom we saw in the readings of the past two days.
The imagery today suggests an athletic contest in a great amphitheater. The witnesses in this case are not mere spectators; they are inspiring examples. They bear witness to the power of faith and God’s faithfulness. The Hebrews to whom the letter is addressed should follow in their footsteps and lay aside every obstacle, especially sin, which can be so difficult to shake off. Instead, let them “run with perseverance the race” that is set before them.
Paul in his First Letter to the Corinthians uses a similar image: “Run in such a way that you may win [the race] … I do not run aimlessly, nor do I box as though beating the air…” (1 Corinthians 9:24,26). Again, to the Philippians, “I have fought the good fight; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:7).
We may say, too, that Christian life is pictured as a long-distance race rather than a short sprint. Some Hebrew Christians were tempted to drop out of the contest because of persecution and obstacles to the practice of their faith. Perhaps they were among those pestered by the ‘Judaizers’ whom Paul speaks about in the Letter to the Galatians (chapter 2) and that we discussed in an earlier Daily Reflection.
As their model, they (we) are to look to Jesus, the “pioneer and perfecter” of their faith. He both leads the way in showing how to lead a life of faith and, through his death, at the same time gives the strength and grace for them fully to develop their own faith.
Just as a runner concentrates on the finish line, we should concentrate on Jesus, the goal and objective of our faith (see Philemon 3:13-14). Jesus is both the start and the end of the race. He is also the supreme witness who has already run the race and overcome.
Jesus set a marvelous example. In order to reach the unending joy and happiness that were offered to him, he underwent the appalling pain of the cross and the despised terrible shame of such a death, hanging naked in a public place as a criminal. Because of this, he now sits at the right hand of the throne of God. If they (and we) follow in his footsteps, they (and we), too, can be with Jesus sharing the same glory.
Finally, he reminds them that, unlike their Master and Lord Jesus, and many other martyrs, they have not yet been asked to shed their blood in their living out of the Gospel. They may have been persecuted and even lost their possessions, but they have not had to die for their faith. The whole passage can be applied word for word to our own situation.
Today’s Gospel passage (Mark 5:21-43) illustrates another example of inclusion, where one passage is contained inside another. Today we have two miracles, with one of them narrated inside the other. Again we are told of large crowds gathering around Jesus on the shore as once again he crosses the lake.
A synagogue official, Jairus, approaches and begs Jesus to lay his healing hands on his daughter who is very ill. Jairus was a person responsible for conducting services at the synagogue and keeping order.
Jairus asks Jesus to come and lay his healing hands on his daughter, as he has done for so many others. As Jesus makes his way to the house followed by a large crowd, there is a woman who had been hemorrhaging for 12 years. She had tried every kind of medical treatment in vain, and she was getting worse. Apart from the distress caused by the ailment, her bleeding rendered her ritually unclean. If the people around her knew of her condition, she might have been attacked. Hence she felt great anxiety about approaching Jesus without being identified or drawing attention.
She had this tremendous faith that, just by touching the hem of Jesus’ garment, she would be healed. And she was—immediately. In both cases, there was a deep conviction that physical contact, together with faith in Jesus’ power to heal, would bring about a cure. It is important for us to recover the connection between physical touch and healing.
Jesus knew something had happened: “Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my cloak?” His disciples naturally wondered why he would say this when so many people were pressing in on him. In fear and trembling, probably more afraid of the crowd than of Jesus, the woman identifies herself. She then hears the beautiful words: “Daughter, your faith [your total trust in me] has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease.
Peace indeed. Not only was she physically cured, but she could now mix freely with people again. She was fully restored to society and her community, without the shame that a woman of that time would feel, and without having to hide.
After this, we resume the first story. Messengers come to say that Jairus’ daughter has died. There is no need to bother Jesus anymore. Jesus urges Jairus to keep believing. As he approaches the house, he separates from the crowd and brings only Peter, James and John with him as witnesses to a very special event. The house is full of mourners, wailing and weeping in the customary way. “Why do you make a commotion and weep? The child is not dead but sleeping.” In so speaking, Jesus is not denying the child’s real death, but it is an assurance that she will be wakened from her sleep of death. Death in the Old Testament is often described as sleep. And we, too, read on gravestones that so-and-so “went to sleep in the Lord”.
The crowd, often portrayed as so supportive of Jesus, is here shown as incredulous. They laugh at him. Everyone is put out of the room except the child’s parents and Jesus’ three companions. Then: “Taking her by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, get up!” The words suggest resurrection to new life. Immediately the girl got up and began to walk around. She was just 12 years old.
Those present are “overcome with amazement” and are told not to say anything to anyone. They are also reminded to give the poor girl some food. This is another step in the unfolding of Jesus’ true identity, while at the same time, he does not want that identity to be made public at this stage. It is another indication of Jesus’ mission: “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10).
May God Bless You and Grant You His Peace!