12 Years of Bleeding, 12 Years of Living-- Mark :24-34

The previous sermon from Mark 5:24-34 where the woman who had been bleeding for 12 years was a blessing to study. God showed me some things I had not noticed before, applying them in ways I had not seen.

There was one thing that I was not willing to put in the sermon. It’s because it’s highly speculative and one of those, “I wouldn’t be surprised to find out in heaven that….” kind of moments. I was struck by Mark’s emphasis of numbers in the passage. The woman had been bleeding for 12 years, the daughter was alive for 12 years. That could easily be to emphasize to Jairus, Jesus’ power.

Again, what I’ll be saying is highly speculative and is likely to be wrong (i.e. don’t build a theology on it), but we serve a God who surprises us sometimes with His connections.

In 5:40, Jesus kicked out the mourners and took the father (Jairus) and the girl’s mother into the room where her body was. I addressed the story of Jairus and his daughter on Father’s Day. I had always assumed and read the account as if the girl’s mother was just waiting at home for Jairus to return with Jesus. Of course, she wouldn’t want to leave the girl’s side. That is the likely explanation—sometimes, simpler is better.

However, I was struck by the fact that the woman had been suffering her bleeding for 12 years and the little girl was 12 years old. What if, the bleeding woman was the girl’s mother and Jairus’ wife, who had complications from delivery that never fully healed?

Mark does not call her as such and most of the descriptions of her describe her as if she is cut off and depending on her own resources; without the protection of a husband. But I had thought that if she had been married before the bleeding started, that the husband may have put her out. Someone in Jairus’ position may have felt even more pressure to do so as a leader in the synagogue. How could he be such a leader if everything his wife touched was unclean, rendering him unclean?

So her coming to Jesus and experiencing healing, even going in peace and wholeness would have restored her to the community. Where could she go to? What if it also restored her to her husband and just follow him home to their daughter? What if in these healings, Jesus was restoring the life of the whole family? Raising not only a daughter back from the dead, but a marriage?

It was a touching thought, totally speculative, but one of those things that I want to ask about when I get there.

What would this add to our understanding of the passage? I can't say for sure. Why would it be hidden and concealed if true? I don't know that either. Like I said, just a thought that came to me that made me say, "hmmmm".

There’s a couple of others, like the location of the ram caught in the thicket, but if you want to know about that one, you’ll have to ask!

Pursuing Answers to Questions of Faith & Life

Free Grace & Free Access

I just came across a friend's blog talking about the Grace of God, how it is undeserved and cannot be earned. You can read the entry here.

One of the responders is a Mormon arguing the Mormon belief that there are 3 tiers of heaven. The following I was moved to write and thought I would post it on my own blog. Here you go.

Kevin,

I am so glad I don't have to work to earn God's love or His favor. I know I'm too lazy and incompetent for that.

I'm also glad He does not determine access to Him based on "performance". As a child of the King of Kings--I have the great pleasure of approaching the Throne of Grace with CONFIDENCE--His Presence is Heaven. He has invited me into His presence, not based on what I've done or earned but upon what Christ has done on my behalf--Jesus has entered and passed through the Holy of Holies--torn down any veil of separation--any tier of access (3 heavens and special members only access!!???) because of His atoning sacrifice. See Hebrews.

It's not what I bring to the table--it is solely what He brings to the table.

We may be rewarded for faithfulness and works once we get there, but access to the Father is not included in that.

I am adopted fully and completely as an heir and there is no future expectation that will make me more of an heir than my initial adoption.

Imagine if our adoption policies in the US followed the Mormon tiers of heaven.

Tier 1--Your adopted into the family, but until you do certain things, then you get to live in the doghouse and we'll give you the scraps off the table. Hey, at least you've got a roof and some food which is better than nothing.

Tier 2--You've done some good things now as a "member" of our family--(maybe you take out the garbage, or you made the lawn look real nice since you were out there all the time anyway)--now we'll let you come into the house and you have the permission to speak with our real children but you're still not allowed to eat at the table, nor do you get your own bedroom, nor are you allowed to have access to "Mom & Dad"

Tier 3--you're now a "contributing member of the family"--you've given enough money to cover room/board and adoption costs, maybe even let "Dad" retire early. Now we'll give you you're own bedroom, you can sit at the table, "Mom & Dad" will actually talk with you, and you are given the same status as one of their natural children.

To treat the adopted child differently than the natural child is illegal in most, presumably all states. What real parent could do that? What kind of loving God would do that?

Thank you God for fully adopting me and granting me access to You, to be able to call you Daddy and even climb into your lap. I know I don't deserve it--but you grant it anyway.

Pursuing Answers to Questions of Faith & Life,

Kelly

Thoughts?