QT 17/03/2026 Tue. Mark 5 Many requests to Jesus. Vastly different outcomes. 多人向耶稣请求，但结果却大相径庭。
QT 17/03/2026 Tue. Mark 5 Many requests to Jesus. Vastly different outcomes.
READ http://www.esv.org/mark5
In Mark 5, the unclean spirit, the town residents, the formerly possed man, a rule of the synagogue and an unknown woman who bled for 12 twelves all directed different requests to Jesus. Yet the outcomes of these request could not have been more diverse and surprising. Which of these attitudes describe you when you approach Jesus today?
(1) Same Scene, Different Begging (Mark 5:1-20)
The Demons Begged: In this powerful passage, we witness a remarkable series of events. The demon-possessed man who had been tormented by an unclean spirit for a long time is freed by Jesus (Mark 5:1-13). The demons, knowing Jesus’ authority, begged to be sent into a herd of pigs, which then drowned in the lake, symbolising the utter defeat and destruction of evil.
The Townfolks Begged: Following this, the people of Gerasenes, after witnessing the miracle, begged Jesus to leave (Mark 5:17), not out of reverence, but due to fear of economic loss—showing how often people are more concerned with their worldly security than the life-changing presence of Christ. Perhaps the townfolks’ clandestine attempt to rear poultry prohibited by Leviticus 11:7–8 (ban on pigs) were now found out.
As the townfolks begged Jesus to leave, they inadvertently cut off their own access to the Son of God. Are we making the same mistakes today?
The Healed Man Begged: The man himself, now healed, begged to be with Jesus (Mark 5:18), but Jesus sent him away too for a different purpose—“… Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” (Mark 5:19) The man’s response is to obey, proclaiming the mercy and power of God.
Reflection: What are you requesting Jesus to do today? What do you see as having more value more in the narrative? Your requests reveal the condition of your heart. Do we “beg” for things that truly draw us closer to God, or are we sometimes more concerned with comfort or control? This passage challenges us to consider whether we are more invested in personal blessings or in advancing the Kingdom by sharing our testimony.
(2) Long and Serious Illnesses. Miraculous Healings (Mark 5:21-43)
The next section of Mark 5 presents us with two miraculous healings, both involving long-standing suffering.
Firstly, the Woman with the Hemorrhage (Mark 5:25-34) – This woman had suffered from a continuous flow of blood for twelve years. In the culture of the time, this would have rendered her ceremonially unclean and excluded her from religious and social life. Despite the many doctors she had consulted, she only grew worse. However, her faith in Jesus was unwavering.
Believing that if she could simply touch His garment, she would be healed, she approached Jesus in the crowd. Jesus, sensing the power that went out of Him, turned to see who had touched Him. He acknowledged her faith and told her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease" (Mark 5:34).
(2) The Healing of Jairus’ Daughter (Mark 5:35-43) – Jairus, a synagogue leader, pleaded for Jesus to come heal his dying daughter. As they were on their way, word came that the girl had died (Mark 5:35). Despite this, Jesus responded with faith and told Jairus, "Do not fear, only believe" (Mark 5:36). When Jesus arrived at the house, He told the mourners that the girl was only sleeping. He took her by the hand and said, "Little girl, I say to you, arise" (Mark 5:41). Immediately, she stood up and began walking around.
Reflection: Faith in Long-Term Suffering: The woman’s illness lasted for twelve years, a long time to endure any affliction. Yet, her faith led her to take a desperate but confident step toward Jesus. In our own lives, long-term suffering can feel overwhelming, but this passage invites us to trust that even when things seem bleak, Jesus' power is greater than any chronic illness, any social stigma, or any hopeless situation.
Overcoming Death: In the case of Jairus' daughter, Jesus shows us that death is not the end when He is involved. His words of life can bring restoration, even in situations that seem irreversible. This teaches us that Jesus is the resurrection and the life (John 11:25), and in Him, there is hope even beyond the grave.
What obstacles do you face today that seem insurmountable? Do you believe, like the woman and Jairus, that Jesus has the power to heal, restore, and bring life even when all seems lost? This passage encourages us to never stop believing, even when things seem impossible.
Prayer
Heavenly Father. I come before You with a humble heart, acknowledging Your greatness and Your holiness. You are the Creator of all things, the One who sustains and upholds the universe by Your power. I thank You for Your infinite love, grace, and mercy that You continually pour out on me.
Lord, I seek Your guidance today. Please lead me in the path of righteousness. Help me to live according to Your will, to reflect Your love to those around me, and to be a vessel for Your purposes. Strengthen me in times of trial and help me to trust in Your perfect timing.
Father, forgive me for the times I have fallen short and for any ways I have not honoured You. I ask for Your cleansing, and I know that through Jesus Christ, my sins are forgiven. Thank You for the sacrifice of Your Son, who made a way for me to have a relationship with You.
I lift up my concerns and my loved ones before You today. I ask for Your provision, protection, and peace in every situation. May Your will be done in my life, and may I glorify You in all I do. I pray all this in the precious name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
QT 17/03/2026 星期二. 马可 5 多人向耶稣请求，但结果却大相径庭。
阅读 http://m.bbintl.org/bible/ncv/mak/5/
在马可福音第五章中，污鬼、城里居民、曾被鬼附之人、会堂主管以及患十二年血漏的无名妇人，都向耶稣提出了不同的请求。然而这些请求的结果却截然不同，令人惊讶。当你今日来到耶稣面前时，哪种态度最能描述你？
(1) 同一场景，不同恳求（马可福音5:1-20）
鬼群的恳求：在这段震撼人心的经文中，我们见证了一系列非凡事件。长期受污鬼折磨的附鬼之人被耶稣释放（马可福音5:1-13）。鬼群深知耶稣的权柄，恳求进入猪群，随后猪群奔入湖中溺毙，象征邪恶彻底溃败毁灭。
乡民哀求：目睹神迹的格拉森人竟恳求耶稣离开（马可福音5:17），并非出于敬畏，而是担忧经济损失——这揭示世人常更在意世俗安稳，而非基督改变生命的同在。或许居民们暗中饲养家禽的行为暴露了——这违反了《利未记》11:7-8对猪类的禁令。
当居民们恳求耶稣离开时，他们无意间切断了自己与神之子的联系。今日我们是否重蹈覆辙？
痊愈之人恳求：那人自己痊愈后，恳求跟随耶稣（马可福音5:18），但耶稣却因另一目的打发他离开——“……“你回家到你的亲属那里去，把主为你作了多么大的事，并他怎样怜悯你，都告诉他们。”（马可福音5:19）那人的回应是顺服，宣告神的怜悯与大能。
反思：今日你向耶稣求什么？在这段叙事中，你认为什么更有价值？你的祈求揭示了你内心的状态。我们是否为真正能使我们亲近神的事物“恳求”，还是有时更在意舒适或掌控？这段经文挑战我们思考：我们更注重个人祝福，还是通过分享见证来推进神的国度？
(2) 顽疾与神迹医治（马可福音5:21-43）
马可福音第五章后半段记载两则医治神迹，皆涉及长期病痛。
首先是患血漏的妇人（马可福音5:25-34）——她十二年来持续流血， 在当时的文化背景下，这使她成为礼仪上的不洁者，被宗教与社会生活所排斥。尽管求医问药，病情却日益恶化。然而她对耶稣的信心始终坚定不移。
她深信只要触摸耶稣的衣裳，就能得医治，便在人群中靠近耶稣。耶稣察觉有能力从自己身上出去，就转身寻找触摸祂的人。祂称许她的信心，对她说：“女儿，你的信使你痊愈了，平安地回去吧，你的病已经好了。”（马可福音5:34）
(2) 叶鲁女儿的医治（马可福音5:35-43）——会堂主管叶鲁恳求耶稣去医治他垂死的女儿。途中传来女孩已死的消息（马可福音5:35）。耶稣却满有信心回应说：“不要怕，只要信”（马可福音5:36）。抵达屋内时，祂告诉哀哭的人说女孩只是睡着了。祂拉着女孩的手说：“小女孩，我吩咐你起来吧”（马可福音5:41）。女孩立刻站起来，开始行走。
反思：长久患难中的信心：妇人患病十二年，这般漫长的苦楚令人难以承受。然而她的信心驱使她向耶稣迈出绝望却坚定的步伐。在我们生命中，长期的苦难常令人窒息，但这段经文邀请我们相信：即便处境看似绝望，耶稣的大能仍胜过任何慢性疾病、社会污名或绝境。
战胜死亡：在睚鲁的女儿身上，耶稣向我们表明，当祂介入时，死亡并非终点。祂生命的话语能带来恢复，即便在看似不可逆转的境况中亦然。这教导我们：耶稣就是复活，就是生命（约翰福音11:25），在祂里面，即使超越坟墓也有盼望。
今日你面临哪些看似无法逾越的障碍？你是否像那妇人和睚鲁一样，相信即便万事皆失，耶稣仍拥有医治、恢复与赐生命的大能？这段经文激励我们永不停止信心，纵使处境看似绝望。
祷告
天父，我怀着谦卑的心来到你面前，承认祢的伟大与圣洁。祢是万物的创造者，以大能维系并托住宇宙。感谢祢不断倾注在我身上的无限慈爱、恩典与怜悯。
主啊，今日我寻求祢的引导。求祢引领我行在公义的道路上，助我遵行祢的旨意，向周遭彰显祢的爱，成为成就祢计划的器皿。在试炼中坚固我，使我信靠祢完美的时机。
天父，求祢赦免我一切的过失与对祢的不敬。我祈求祢的洁净，深知借着耶稣基督，我的罪已得赦免。感谢祢儿子为我献上的牺牲，使我得以与祢建立关系。
今日我将忧虑与所爱之人呈于祢面前。求祢在每种境遇中赐予供应、护佑与平安。愿祢的旨意成就于我生命，愿我所行之事皆荣耀祢。奉耶稣基督宝贵的名祈求，阿们。
