One after another they came. Indirectly, secretly and desperately.

In Mark Chapter 5:1-7; They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes.And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones.And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.”

The man enslaved and tormented by demons saw Jesus from afar, ran to him and fell down before him. He knew Jesus was the incarnate son of God. The demons knew it. Jesus commanded the demons to leave the man, and they begged to be sent into the herd of pigs who then ran down a steep cliff and drowned. The man was healed, now sound in mind and body. He wanted to leave with Jesus, but was told, ”Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” vs19

I understand his request. When I allowed Jesus to embrace me, fill me and rescue me, I wanted to stay in that safe space and never leave. Jesus has never left me. Not once….yet I drift again and again.

So, the once demon possessed man did as Jesus told him. ‘And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.’ Mark 5:20

Continuing on in Mark 5:21-24; And when Jesus had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a great crowd gathered about him, and he was beside the sea. Then came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and seeing him, he fell at his feet and implored him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.” And he went with him.

Jairus’ heart must have been pounding with a hope filled beat. My daughter will be healed, my daughter will be healed. I wonder if the crowd following Jesus could hear it. One woman heard her own heart pounding.

And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease.” Mark 5: 24-34

Daughter. A woman, who did not want to draw any attention to herself, was desperate for healing. So desperate, she risked safety to simply touch the hem of his garment. She was unclean due to the flow of blood. She should have been in  isolation, yet in her desperation, she came to Jesus and was healed. Her heart was peaceful, and her life miraculously changed.

While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler's house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?” But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.” Mark 5:35,36

Jairus’ daughter died while Jesus was healing a nameless woman in the crowd. Jesus called her daughter! Was Jairus wondering why? Why did you call her daughter while my daughter was dying? We aren’t told what he was thinking, because the most important words from Jesus were recorded. “Do not fear, only believe.” vs 36

Jesus healed Jairus’ daughter and we are told she was 12 years of age. The woman healed had been bleeding for twelve years. Hmm.

What is your story? Are you in bondage? Are you crying out for healing for yourself or someone else? Are the chains around you physical, mental, emotional or spiritual? There is nothing too great or too small for Jesus to break or heal or restore. Run to Jesus and fall at his feet. He knows, he loves you and healing will come. In unexpected ways and in his perfect timing.

I am in a desperate place. People I love are close to death and although these two individuals know and love Jesus, I will be heartbroken having to say goodbye. I have family members far from God and I have been crying out on their behalf for years. Yet I am not without hope. I believe.