Sometimes Mark inserts a short episode, as part of his literary style, into a longer narrative in order to stress the theme they have in common - Jesus heals.

Jesus asks, "Who touched me?" But the poor woman is quiet; she is embarrassed. Her illness had placed her among the "untouchables". Would Jesus denounce her for touching His clothes? Though she 'feared', her courage to believe in Jesus' healing power gave her new life. She felt in her body the healing power of Jesus, and the contagious legal defilement of Lev. 15:25 was reversed. Her faith in Jesus made the Law obsolete. Jesus confirms this by saying, "daughter your faith has made you well; go in peace," (Mk 5:34).

Faithful to his literary style, Mark returns to the request of Jarius, a ruler of the synagogue, to stress the point that 'faith in Jesus heals'. The ruler of the synagogue, who is not a disciple, calls on Jesus for help. He wants his daughter healed by Jesus.

But Jesus heals the synagogue official first. He asks him not to "fear, only believe," (Mk 5:36). Then, taking his daughter by the hand Jesus heals her.

Jesus clearly shows us in His gentle way that 'fear' is an obstacle in the path towards wholeness. But by having faith in Jesus who heals we can overcome 'fear'. Once the 'fear' is replaced by faith in Jesus we too, can experience His healing touch and be at peace.