Mark wrote his account of the life of
Christ to the Romans, the military minds of that day, who were more interested
in action than words. Mark emphasized what Jesus did rather than what He said.
In keeping with that pattern, he discussed the activity of the women who came
into contact with Jesus, giving us food for thought on what Christian women
today should be busy doing. It is interesting to note that all of the women in
the book of Mark had great faith. Several women in the book of Mark were
special recipients of His miraculous healing. And today, all women have access
to the blessings Jesus offers.
Peter's Mother-in-Law
Jesus entered into the house of Peter
and Andrew where Peter's wife's mother lay sick with a great fever (Mark 1:29-34; Matt.
8:14-15; Luke 4:38-39). Obviously she was a woman who was greatly loved since
"straightway they tell Him of her" (V. 30). Jesus came, took her by the hand and
rebuked the fever, which left her immediately. Since it was accomplished by His touch, it
was clear to all that the power came from Jesus. It also demonstrated the compassion that
He felt for this woman.
This miracle gave the woman absolute recovery. A fever often leaves one
feeling weak, yet she was able to return at once to her household duties. She immediately
arose and tended to the needs of her guests. This unnamed woman was a great example of
hospitality. She had done her part to fill her home with love and kindness. Especially
poignant is that upon being healed, she immediately got up and served her Healer. Jesus
can heal our spiritual illnesses too. Are we so grateful for this spiritual healing that
we immediately rise up and serve our Master?
Peter's Wife
Peter had a wife. Although this certainly negates the idea
that Peter was the first pope and was not married (1 Cor. 9:5), what do we know about this
woman? She certainly had a wonderful example of a loving and industrious mother. Imagine
being married to impetuous Peter! When Peter wrote about the ideal woman and wife (1 Pet.
3:1-12), could he have been thinking about his own special wife? We know that she was
reverent, not a malicious gossip, temperate and faithful in all things,for she was the
wife of an elder (1 Pet. 5:1; 1 Tim. 3:1-11). Was it possible that she stayed in the
background, exhibiting a meek and quiet spirit, so that the greater cause of the Master,
to whom both she and Peter were dedicated, could be advanced? Historians report that she
was one of the Christian martyrs. If so, she was not only content to remain in the
shadows, quietly serving her Lord, but to give her life for Him as well.
The Woman With the Twelve-year Issue of Blood
In Mark chapter 5, Jesus leaves an indelible impression on
three women in particular. On the way to heal Jairus' daughter, He encountered a woman who
had been troubled with an issue of blood for twelve years (Mark 5:25-34; Matt. 9:20-22;
Luke 8:43-48). Men of medicine had failed her. She was sorely in need of the Great
Physician. She had heard of Jesus' healing powers but had not yet witnessed them
first-hand. According to Jewish law, she was considered unclean (Lev. 15:19-30). That,
coupled with her humility, may have been why she came up behind Jesus and touched the hem
of His garment. She said to herself: "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be
made well" (v. 28). What faith! Immediately she was healed. Jesus inquired as to who
in the crowd had touched His clothes. With fear and trembling, she came forward. She fell
at Jesus' feet and told Him all the truth. What courage! Her faith caused her to act, and
make a confession which resulted in her being cured. Jesus responded with kind words:
"Daughter,your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your
affliction" (v. 34). After suffering for so long, to be immediately healed and then
to have Jesus pronounce her as one of His own must have filled her with praise and
gratitude. Do we have the kind of faith and courage to seek out Jesus, to humbly and
truthfully lay our life before Him and then allow Him to make us whole?