Read: Mark 5-6
Today was a day … and to be honest I am struggling to put thoughts together on today’s reading. My children both needed me a little extra today, my husband was at paramedic school then came home and slept after a long 24-hour work shift, and even though I cleaned the house it doesn’t look like it. So, I highlighted what stood out to me, prayed, sat with it for a little, and then started reading various sources online. A lot of today’s Bible study comes from what I gathered after reading Courage for Life and Bible Ref.
For context, Mark is one of the four gospels in the New Testament. In these chapters the focus is so clearly on Jesus. He is the center of everything. God is in the flesh and present among His people.
In Mark 5, we see Jesus meet people in three completely different situations. Demon possession in Mark 5:1–5 (also seen in Luke 8:26–39), chronic illness with the bleeding woman, and even death with Jairus’ daughter in Mark 5:21–43 (also in Matthew 9:18–26 and Luke 8:40–56). These are real encounters, real people, real moments of desperation meeting the power of Jesus.
We see other’s faith in action. I think that’s exactly what stands out to me: their faith. Theses didn’t just hear and know about Jesus, they believed that He could actually do something. They went to Him, reached out for Him, trusted Him. There was no backup plan, no “maybe.” Just faith.
It’s also important to remember that while these moments are real and powerful, God doesn’t always do everything exactly how and when we want Him to. These stories aren’t a particular method, they’re a reminder. A reminder of who He is and what He’s capable of. A reminder that our faith matters and that placing it in Him changes things, even if it doesn’t look the way we expected.
The entire focus of Mark 5 is Jesus. His power and authority over things that we still face today. Spiritual darkness, sickness, and even death. None of it is beyond Him.
Then in Mark 6, even the disciples, the ones walking closest to Him, still don’t fully understand. They’re given opportunities to step into His authority, and they still struggle. They misinterpret Him. They don’t fully grasp what He came to do. They see the miracles, but they’re missing the fullness of who He is. They’re human! If we’re honest, we often do the same thing.
It’s easy to have faith when we think that God is going to move the way that we expect; when the outcome feels good or makes sense to us. Real faith is deeper than that. It’s trusting Him for who He is, not just what He can do.
“Do not be afraid; just believe.” -Mark 5:36
Just believe! God can and will move in your life. He still does miracles and He still shows up. We are invited to know Him, to trust Him, and to have faith in Him even when we don’t fully understand.
Discussion Question
- Do you find yourself more focused on what He can do or who He is?
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A Note from the Author
Hello everyone,
I wanted to take a moment to share a bit about the Bible verse studies, devotionals, and prayers that I put together. While I strive to offer meaningful insights and reflections, it’s important to clarify that I am not a trained or licensed biblical professional. My goal is not to provide expert theological advice but to share my personal knowledge, beliefs, and experiences as I read and reflect on the Holy Bible.
The insights I offer come from my own understanding and spiritual journey. I approach these reflections with the intention of sharing what personally resonates with me, what I’ve learned through my own study of Scripture, and what the Holy Spirit is sharing through me. I hope these thoughts are helpful and encouraging, but they are based on my personal perspective rather than formal theological training.
This specific Bible study is based off the book A Beautiful Year in the Bible The 52-Week Bible Study for Women by a series of wonderful authors Copyrighted by Alabaster Creative Inc. I do not own the rights to this book and am not claiming to. I am using the book to create my own version of the Bible in 365 days and continue to direct God’s word towards women, more specifically mothers.
Thank you for your understanding and for joining me in this journey of faith and reflection.
Blessings,
Maria Wilcoxon
*The header image is not mine and was taken from Pinterest
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