In Mark 5:25-34, we read about a woman who had suffered for 12 long years. She had a condition that caused her to bleed constantly, and she had spent all her money on doctors who couldn’t help her. Her situation was desperate.
This woman heard about Jesus and believed He could help her. She thought, “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.”
So, she made her way through the crowd, despite her weakness and fear, and touched the hem of His garment. Instantly, she felt in her body that she was healed of her plague. Jesus, knowing that virtue had gone out of Him, turned around and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”
The woman, trembling with fear, came forward and told Him everything. Jesus said to her, “Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.”
This woman overcame many obstacles. She had to deal with the length of her suffering, the ineffective treatments from doctors, the crowd that stood between her and Jesus, and her own fear and doubt. Yet, her faith drove her to Jesus, and she was made whole.
Often, we suffer needlessly, carrying our worries and burdens instead of bringing them to the Lord. We seek help from others and try various solutions, but they only provide temporary relief. We spend time, money, and energy, but nothing changes in our lives.
Notice how the woman overcame everything to get to Christ.
Notice Her Humbleness
First, let’s notice her disposition. She was humbled. The time, money, and pain had brought her to her knees. Sadly, this is where we usually find ourselves when we come to Jesus. Joy and abundance rarely drive us to the feet of Jesus in a humble manner. We are a prideful people, and God rejects the prideful but helps the humble. Her suffering led her to seek Jesus with a humble heart, just as our struggles can lead us to rely on Him more fully.
Notice Her Posture
Next, notice the position of her body. She came from behind Jesus to kneel down and touch His hem. The Bible says we can come boldly unto the throne of grace, but it’s hard to be bold when we fear for our life and well-being. She came with much hesitation because she was running on faith. This mirrors our Christian journey, where we often approach God tentatively, unsure of our worthiness, yet longing for His touch. But one thing I’m sure of she knew after this event she could trust Christ!
Notice Her Will
She had to overcome the idea of death, and this is something all of us must face. The thought of death should and will drive us to our knees to reach out to Jesus. Her determination to reach Jesus despite her fears shows us the importance of persevering in our faith. We, too, must be willing to push through our fears and doubts to find the healing and peace that only Jesus can provide.
Notice Her Focus
She had to overcome the crowds. The mass of people. What would they think? What would they say? So often we struggle with this. We care more about the crowd than the One who cares for us so deeply. Her focus on Jesus, despite the distractions and potential judgments from others, is a powerful reminder for us to keep our eyes on Christ. In our walk of faith, we must prioritize His opinion above all else.
Notice Her Faith
Lastly, and most importantly, she was running on pure faith. Nothing more. She hoped for a miracle from Christ. Despite the disappointments she had faced with doctors and treatments, she believed Jesus could heal her. Just like us, we get burnt by people, and it causes our hearts to distrust the power of Christ. But we must remember, He is not man that He should lie. He is faithful to those who come. He opens the door to all who knock. Her story teaches us to maintain our faith in Jesus, knowing that He is trustworthy and able to meet our deepest needs.
We must humble ourselves before the Lord, come to Him in faith, and push through the obstacles and fears that hold us back. Our focus should always be on Jesus, trusting Him to provide the healing and peace we desperately need.
Let us be encouraged by her example and embrace our faith with the same determination and hope, knowing that Jesus is always ready to make us whole.
