|
|
Mark 5 Commentary
by Brad Boyles
I want to make a few quick points about the demon-possessed man and then move to the woman who touched Jesus.
We read several striking characteristics about this demon-possessed man.
- This man had been possessed for a long period of time.
- This man lived among the dead.
- This man had no clothing, no dignity, and no hope.
- This man had supernatural strength.
- This man wanted only to kill, steal, and destroy, even if that meant himself.
This profile should not surprise us about demonic activity because the Bible tells us that the enemy’s motive is to kill, steal, and destroy. The hopelessness of this man’s life was on full display. It is important to understand that because humans were created in the image of God, demons actively want to destroy, mutilate, and distort that image. We see that in our culture and society today.
There was a superstition in the ancient world that if you spoke the exact name of someone or something, you were able to gain authority over it. By addressing Jesus by His full name, we can assume the demons were desperately grasping for control. They know who Jesus is and they even “pray” to Him and request that He not harm them, but instead allow them to go into the pigs. Of course, it is no surprise that they took pleasure in drowning (killing) those pigs.
But I want to go back to a previous point. The demons knew Jesus and even requested things from Him, however, they did not honor Him as God or submit to Him as Lord. There are many today who know Jesus and even pray to Him, requesting things like more control in their life. Jesus actually answered their request (most likely to teach his audience the motive of the enemy), however, it is an example that cannot be overlooked. We can know Jesus, recognize His authority, and selfishly pray to Him, yet, also be completely opposed to His Kingdom and His will.
Who Touched Me?
Jesus knew someone had touched him and been healed. To the disciples, it seemed like a useless question. Loads of people had touched him. However, he knew that power had left His body. God’s power which was granted to Him was permitted to leave. And rather than let this woman wander off healed by some sort of magical encounter, He desired a personal conversation.
There are so many questions.
Did the woman believe it was the clothing that healed her? This is certainly what needed correcting, right? How did she even know that a touch of His robe would heal her? We see no evidence in Scripture that He healed in this way before. Furthermore, why would Jesus, God in the flesh mind you, need to ask who touched Him? Surely, He knew.
Just A Touch
It’s likely this woman had misguided faith. It’s likely she was just like all of us. We pray things like, “Jesus if you get me out of this situation, I’ll never do it again.” We get superstitious at times. We have impure motives or misunderstandings. Then, on top of this, we watch as modern-day Pharisees crush people who don’t have a complete theological understanding of God before they come to Him.
“… even though her faith had elements of err and superstition, she believed in the healing power of Jesus, and the border of His garment served as a point of contact for that faith. There are many things that we could find wrong with this woman’s faith. But more than anything, her faith was in Jesus, and the object of faith is much more important than the quality of faith.”
David Guzik
The point of contact. I love this phrase. We all have different points of contact where Jesus meets us. Sometimes it’s in the church. Other times, it’s in the darkest of places. The important point here is that the woman believed that Jesus had the authority and power of God and her faith was strong enough that she was determined to fight through the crowds to get to Him. The determining factor in how God feels about this woman is clearly seen in how Jesus responds to her.
But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. [33] The woman realized what had happened to her, so she came, trembling with fear, knelt at his feet, and told him the whole truth. [34] Jesus said to her, “My daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your trouble.”
Mark 5:32-34 GNB
This reminds me of what Paul writes in Philippians 2.
So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey me now while I am away from you. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation, [13] because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose.
Philippians 2:12-13 GNB
In that moment of standing before Jesus, this woman literally works out her Salvation with fear and trembling. Coming before Jesus, she acknowledges what happened with only a partial understanding of what really was taking place. She is honest. She is humble. She is grateful. She is changed. Is this not a physical manifestation of a greater spiritual truth? Jesus was not just showing us that He has the power and authority to heal. He was illustrating a colossal, spiritual miracle.
In God’s Kingdom, humble sinners who respond to His voice with lowly, searching hearts will be healed for eternity.
“It is not every contact with Christ that saves men; it is the arousing of yourself to come near to him, the determinate, the personal, resolute, believing touch of Jesus Christ which saves.”
Charles Spurgeon
Your (imperfect) faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed.