What I’m Thinking: Beyond Expectation

Twice in Mark 5:21-43, Jesus heals when people think he can’t. A woman touches him in a crowd – and she’s healed. A child who has died rises again to life.

Here’s a transcript:

I’m thinking about the fifth chapter of Mark (Mark 5:21-43), today, in which a woman found healing beyond expectation simply by reaching out and touching Jesus as he passed by. Her faith made her well, he said.

And about how Jairus’ daughter was raised, despite the fact that people had said, don’t bother the Teacher any longer, for she has died. Beyond hope or expectation, Jesus called her back to life and family and home.

We have demanded much of God, of our government, of one another. There is more to demand. We must persist:

Persist in insisting that reunifying families is not sufficient if they are going to be imprisoned.

We must insist that those who have lost homes to the volcano in Puna must receive all the help that we can give, and not just what we think might be enough.

And we cannot stop with those who’ve lost their homes due to a natural disaster. We must also find places so that those who were already homeless may have a roof, and security, and a place they can call home.

Beyond expectation and beyond anticipation, Jesus healed. Let us, as Jesus’ disciples, do the same.

That’s what I’m thinking. I’m curious to hear about what you’re thinking. Leave me your thoughts in the comment section below; I’d love to hear from you.

You can support those affected by the current eruption in Puna by donating through our church or online through the United Church of Christ’s Emergency USA.