Jairus, a religious leader, asks Jesus to heal his daughter. While Jesus is on his way, a woman, suffering with bleeding, dares to touch his cloak. In ancient Jewish culture, bleeding made you unclean, so this woman would have been an outcast. In her desperation, she crosses a boundary to be healed (by touching Jesus’ robe) and Jesus crosses a boundary when he not only insists on finding out who she is, but also does not condemn her actions as he offers her healing.

In the Gospel reading, and in Mark’s Gospel in general, Jesus has few comfort zones and is no respecter of the social, cultural or religious barriers of his time. He breaks taboos and conventions so he can meet people where they are and address their needs. How do we respond to those who reach out for help?

This week we explore reaching out of the crowd for help.