When an Interruption Is the Mission
Personal reflection · Mark 5:21–43
Write as much or as little as you wish. Every field is optional, and you may stop at any point.
Observe
Jesus stops and asks, “Who touched my garments?” (Mark 5:30). The disciples point out that everyone is touching Him. He keeps looking — while a child is still dying.
The woman comes forward in fear and tells Him the whole truth. He calls her “Daughter” — the only recorded time in the Gospels He addresses a woman this way. The healing had already happened; the text suggests the encounter was about more than the cure.
Then word comes: “Your daughter is dead.” Jesus responds, “Do not fear, only believe,” goes to the house, takes the girl by the hand and says, “Talitha cumi.” She rises.
Reflect
Respond to any of these questions — or none.
Examine
Pray
Ask God to open your eyes to the person whose need has grown quiet — and to give you the patience to stop.
- Ask the Holy Spirit for clarity about what you may be overlooking.
- Bring the people affected by this decision into prayer.
Discernment pause
A brief pause to slow the decision down.
- What do I know to be true?
- What am I assuming?
- Who is affected?
- What may be influencing me?
- What would alignment require?
- What deserves prayer before action?
Apply
Who might you be overlooking because their need is quieter than the crisis already in front of you?
Kept on this device as you type.