The lesson in Mark today has details concerning the healing of two women, both of whom are sick, and both of whom are healed.

One of the women is the daughter of Jairus, an important local official. The other woman is a chronic sufferer from done a lot gynecological problems, including issue of blood.

The woman who was sick would have also been an untouchable. If anyone in the crowd had brushed her, they would have had to miss Temple for a week. It is possible that the community might have stoned this woman. She has spent all her money trying to get better so she is now poor.

In both cases, Jesus points to the faith and confidence of each of the women in their healing. The sick woman comes in fear and trembling, perhaps expecting punishment for her unrighteousness.

Mark notes that the woman is sick for 12 years and the little girl was herself only 12 years old. Folks in Israel would have understood the choice of that number as representing the 12 tribes of Israel.

The commotion of people wailing outside Jairus’ house has been suggested as a group of professional mourners. That they laughed at Jesus’ claim that the child was only sleeping indicates this may be so. It certainly indicates little faith.

Jesus wants to keep the nature of his feelings secret for a while yet, so he asks for secrecy.

He suggests that the daughter get something to eat, most likely to establish that she really is alive.

Jesus is surprised at his first healing. It seems like an odd combination of his godlike nature to provide healing and his human nature to be unaware of it, perhaps not entirely in control of the healing process.

The main lesson of this story is that miracles can happen to folks from all parts of a community, as long as they have faith. Miracles happened in Jesus’ time. With faith, they can happen now.