A REFLECT/RESPOND EXERCISE WITH TODAY’S TEXT
Sit in a comfortable position. Inhale and exhale several times. Try to let go of distractions, quiet your thoughts and open yourself up to God.
Invite the Holy Spirit to meet you and speak to you during your time with him.
Read Mark 5:24–34 slowly.
21-24 After Jesus crossed over by boat, a large crowd met him at the seaside. One of the meeting-place leaders named Jairus came. When he saw Jesus, he fell to his knees, beside himself as he begged, “My dear daughter is at death’s door. Come and lay hands on her so she will get well and live.” Jesus went with him, the whole crowd tagging along, pushing and jostling him.
25-29 A woman who had suffered a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years—a long succession of physicians had treated her, and treated her badly, taking all her money and leaving her worse off than before—had heard about Jesus. She slipped in from behind and touched his robe. She was thinking to herself, “If I can put a finger on his robe, I can get well.” The moment she did it, the flow of blood dried up. She could feel the change and knew her plague was over and done with.
30 At the same moment, Jesus felt energy discharging from him. He turned around to the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?”
31 His disciples said, “What are you talking about? With this crowd pushing and jostling you, you’re asking, ‘Who touched me?’ Dozens have touched you!”
32-33 But he went on asking, looking around to see who had done it. The woman, knowing what had happened, knowing she was the one, stepped up in fear and trembling, knelt before him, and gave him the whole story.
34 Jesus said to her, “Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague.”
Sit for a few moments in silence, then read the story again, this time out loud.
As you read, imagine the scene in your mind. Picture the woman and Jesus. Feel the pressure of the noisy crowd. Watch what happens as the events unfold. As you read, what moment, action or phrase stands out to you? As you watch the action unfold, what are you feeling and thinking? Is there a particular word or phrase that jumps out? Take a moment to notice and perhaps write something down.
REFLECT Why might God be leading you to this particular word, phrase or idea? Is there something about this story that is connecting with your life? What might God be inviting you to know or understand about yourself or someone else?
RESPOND Take a few minutes to respond to God about what he has revealed to you. You may wish to come clean like the woman and tell the whole truth to Jesus, remembering that God listens attentively when we speak.
REST Spend a few moments resting in the truth of Jesus’ love for you, his invitation to you to be known and loved and to be set free from what plagues you. Rest in his love.
RESPOND Look for someone in your own life who may need to be heard. Ask God for eyes to see the person in your life that needs to be seen and known, valued and loved.