#mark 5

Did You Know that the letters "MRL" can be seen on the boots of the MJOLNIR Mark V model in Halo: Combat Evolved?

Written in conjunction with my friend Ainsley, pastor of Queer Church (link leads to a FB group page)

In Matthew 9, a woman who has been suffering physical pain, spiritual shame, and communal isolation for 12 long years approaches Jesus — but not crying out for healing, as many do.

She approaches quietly, not wanting to draw attention to herself. Perhaps, having experienced rejection before, she expects to be rejected by Jesus.

Better to brush against the hem of his robe, receive just a crumb of grace, than risk asking for more only to be rejected yet again. To be reviled as unclean by Jesus would be too much to bear.

In spite of all she has faced, this woman has faith – just as so many queer people continue to have faith, to hold on to their church’s traditions, even when those churches call them unclean, unworthy, unwelcome.

Jesus praises this woman’s faith for all to hear. He proclaims that her faith has saved her.

He did not need to call attention to this healing at all, but he does.

He does not need to give her the credit for it, but he does.

Perhaps because he knows this woman needs the affirmation that she was holy all along.

Perhaps because he knows the people who rejected her need to hear it, too.

Now nobody can deny that this woman is a beloved child of God, who belongs in their community!

Mark 5 caught my attention as a young woman. Jesus is performing all these miracles and moving around the region, but two miracles back to back happen that bring me to tears.

First, Jesus heals a woman who has been sick for 12 years and is considered unclean. He does this by accident since the girl touches him from behind. Her great faith proved worthy as she believed that even a touch of Jesus’s clothes could heal. Jesus calls her “Daughter” and tells her to go in peace as her faith has healed her.

Secondly, right after this miracle, Jesus is told of a dying 12-year-old who, in the process of Jesus walking to her, is said to have died. Jesus tells the father to believe and not fear. Jesus was, of course, right because He proceeded to touch the girls hand and say, “Little girl, I say to you, arise,” and she does.

Daughter and Little Girl. One with 12 years of sickness healed, and the other dead and rose again at 12 years of age.