He had heard rumours about Jesus, so in the midst of the crowd he approached Jesus from behind and touched His garment (Mark 5:27)
Women, then as now, often have no place. It was common to be considered non-existent, unknown, even forgotten. It is also found in the Bible. There are many women who are present only in the background of the story, or stop by to be a supplementary character, without the author feeling the need to give her a name or tell who she is. They're just called "that woman..."
These women often appear wordless, or if they do, they only say a line. Yet the original nature of women is always rich in words. Is this an indirect statement that their words don't count? Is it that by appearing silent, their presence is not heard? Is it not in silence that the voice of the LORD can be heard more clearly? In the same silence, can we hear their stories?
Minus words don't mean no mission! At first, it seems like the story of the son of a synagogue ruler - Jairus, a man of honour. Suddenly the story switches, a nameless woman appears, grabbing attention. But she is behind Jesus, not in front. She is the one who approaches, not the one who is approached by Jesus like Jairus, the honourable man. Silently she spoke to her own heart. Perhaps it was to boost his courage, "If I just touch His garment, I will be healed." (Mark 5:28). And she was healed! Was it the cloak or the words in her heart that did the trick?
The story doesn't end there. Jesus called him, invited him out, challenged him to show who he was. Yes, Jesus is always challenging me and you to come out of fear, shame, and low self-esteem because we feel small, unimportant or unworthy. Jesus wants her to come out boldly because for Jesus, whoever she is, everyone is a precious person, whom He loves unconditionally. But always, the invitation and call is open, without coercion, with the free will of the one who is called, whether or not to welcome it. So the woman, though trembling and afraid, answered the call of Jesus.
Not only that, but she came forward sincerely, confessing what she had done. And instantly transformed into a child who was adopted by Jesus himself; in front of a crowd of people, he was told by a nameless woman, "Son, your faith has saved you" (Mark 5:34).
The evangelist Mark opens the story as if it were about Jairus and his son, but the story of the woman with the haemorrhage interrupts, even becoming the first focus. At first glance, it seems like the woman is the active one, on her own mission - to be healed and free from her affliction. But if we pay attention to the whole story, then we will find that this anonymous woman's active movement is part of the LORD's own design. Her mission was to be a living witness to the people, showing the power of faith and the power and compassion of the Son of GOD. Jesus even used her to declare that His love is inclusive. He does not care about social status, or gender. When his arrival was being awaited by an important man (Jairus), the Master stopped, postponed the meeting, and turned to meet the nameless woman. For Him, a man's courage, enthusiasm and faith were more important than his name, social status and position.
Faces of Mission, The Story of Mission in Scripture, Rev Anwar Tjen, Hortensius F. Mandaru, Budi Ingelina. 2021. Indonesian Bible Society.
