Jesus often addresses the inner condition of the one coming to Him in Mark’s narrative, instead of the outward issue. Mark 5:21–42 provides a clear illustration of this. A synagogue leader by the name of Jairus came to Jesus, pleading for His assistance as his daughter lay dying.

Along with him walked Jesus heading to his house, and a lady who had been bleeding profusely for twelve years touched the hem of His garments in the hopes that it would stop her bleeding.

When Jesus saw that life and virtue had gone out of Him, He demanded to know who had touched His garments.

Overwhelmed with terror, the lady confided in Jesus, telling him the story. He told her faith had restored her health.

Some members of the synagogue leader’s household announced the death of their daughter while Jesus was speaking. Jesus urged them to have faith and not be fearful. Just three men—Peter, James, and John—were permitted to accompany Him.

Upon reaching the residence of the synagogue head, Jesus saw a great uproar and mournful people. They mocked him despite His explanation that the child was sleeping. After that, Jesus gathered the girl’s parents and followers around Him and commanded her to “get up!” (Talitha Koum), which shocked everyone since the girl immediately was raised from the dead. The moral of the story is that coming to Jesus for assistance should begin with admitting that you are anxious.

At first, Jairus sought Jesus out so that He might cure his sick daughter at home. They were on their way home when a lady with blood issue halted them and told them her story of sorrow and disease that had lasted twelve years.

Jairus blamed his daughter’s untimely death on anxiety, which caused him to wonder how and where she had died.

On the other hand, Jesus avoided addressing Jairus’s exterior issue and failed to guarantee any particular external result. Instead, he drew attention to Jairus’s uneasiness from inside, encouraging him to identify the source of his distress. Because our anxiety may be triggered by a wide variety of external factors, and because we often seek answers to these difficulties, Jairus’s trip symbolises his anxiety journey.

Before Jesus can completely unveil his solution for our issues, we need to focus on our anxieties. He knows them. A deeper walk with Jesus begins in the depths of our fears and struggles, not in some external place or thing.

Whether Jairus accepts Jesus’ offer to acknowledge his concern and make his inner reality the subject of discussion with him or continues to fixate on external difficulties determines his answer. By leaving the topic open-ended, Mark implies that we are meant to be active participants in the trip.

As we follow Jesus, are we ready to admit that we worry too?

Blessings,

Shaliach.