Readings:
Sermon:
Today’s Gospel reading has links to stories which have stuck with me since a lecturer at Theological college highlighted that the two women in this passage are linked in a number of ways.
Before we get to that it is worthy of note that the two healings described here are repeated in the 3 synoptic Gospels. For me this indicates that we learn something important about Jesus and the relationship between God and Humanity revealed in Jesus.
Before we get to the two healings, Matthew gives us the calling of Matthew the tax collector. This sets the tone for what is to come – a despised person not really considered, “one of us,” is called by Jesus to follow Him. Leading to conversations about who Jesus, as a teacher, should interact with.
It is also worth noting that Luke and Mark both have the healing of Legion, the man possessed by many evil spirits before the two healings. Again, we have a person excluded from society but accepted by Jesus and restored by Jesus.
This moves us on to the two healing interactions, placed together here in Matthew and in Mark and Luke. The themes of what has gone before hold them together. We have relationships; that is our relationship with God and our relationship with others. We also have Jesus’ authority to change the status quo and His willingness to go to places which may be considered off limits.
My memory of these two healings is enhanced by the additional information that is provided in Mark and Luke. (Mark 5:21–43 and Luke 8:40–56). These versions add that the little girl is the daughter of Jarius, a leader of the synagogue. Plus, specific information that she is 12 years old; Matthew is less precise but still, by the words used, implies that she is prepubescent.
This point is significant, in the nature of things girls and particular girls not yet of child-bearing age would be not be considered as fully part of the community. So, we have Jarius who might be thought of as having status but his daughter not so.
Jesus sets out with Jarius to see the girl but enroute we have another encounter.
Again, we have a woman who, under cover of the press of the crowd, dares to reach out to touch Jesus robe. She reaches out in faith that she may be healed of the bleeding which has affected her for 12 years.
These two women are linked by time, 12 years and by virtual of their status with the community. The girl too young and the older women, with this problem of haemorrhages. The bleeding would mean that she was constantly ritually unclear. Unable to worship and frequently shunned by others.
Jesus feels power go from Him and challenges this woman to come forward. What must that have felt like, what would he say? But Jesus simply say’s “your faith has made you well.” In this moment she is freed from her condition AND restored to the community.
During this unexpected delay, news has arrived that Jarius’ daughter has died.
Another layer of exclusion now appears, a layer that Jesus will push through. As with contact with blood, contact with the dead would make one unclean. But Jesus pushes through issues of status and convention. In all three Gospels we are told, “He took her by the hand,” and in this moment she is restored to life.
For the girl there will still be time before she is fully part of the community. However, I suspect that despite Jesus’ imperative to tell no one, as recorded by Mark and Luke, “Report of this spread.”
I suggest that what we have here are reminders of how Jesus would push through the conventions and indeed prejudices of the day. In His interactions with people He would be focused upon: His relationship with them; their relationship with God, Father and Spirit AND even with His deep prophetic insight, into the depth of who they are, His love for them.
We live in days where too many people are trying to strengthen the divisions between nations, cultures and people groups. How does this sit with how Jesus behaves here and in so many other interactions we read of. The woman at the well. The parable of the Good Samaritan, the healing of lepers and those possessed by evil spirits.
Jesus, so often in the wrong places with the wrong people. But not there simply to shock, there to bring healing and restoration.
Over recent weeks the lectionary has touched upon Jesus praying for His disciples to be one as He, the Father and the Spirit are one. We have had the people together in one place as the Spirit came upon the Church! We’ve focussed on the mystery of the Trinity – that perfected relationship.
Let us focus on our relationship with God, what would Jesus have for us? How is God calling us, individually and as the Church to reach out to those on the margins to bring about restoration and healing.
Amen
Questions:
- Imagine being face to face with Jesus what would he have for you?
- Do we need personal restoration, do we need permission to belong fully and be Kingdom people?
- Is God calling us as individuals or as Church to reach out to those who are on the margins? Who are we called to journey with and what does restoration look like for them?