Tuesday, January 10, 2017

The Woman with the Issue of Blood

Mark 5:21-34

“And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.  And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.” (Mark 5:21-23)

When Jesus returned to the area around Capernaum, a multitude flocked to meet him.  One of the people in the crowd was Jairus, one of the leaders of the local synagogue.   He fell at Jesus’ feet begging him to come and touch his daughter and heal her because she was at the point of dying. 

“And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.  And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.  For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.” (Mark 5:24-28)

Jesus went with Jairus and the crowd followed around, pushing and shoving to be close to him.  As they went, a woman who had an ongoing menstrual discharge heard he was coming,  she had spent all the money she had trying unsuccessful treatments that seemingly only made things worse.  Embarrassed by her problem, she pushed her way in to touch Jesus in the belief that just touching his clothing would be enough to heal her. 

“And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.  And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?” (Mark 5:29-31)

The woman was healed instantly and could feel the difference in her body.  Jesus was also aware that the healing had happened, and asked who had touched his clothing.  With the crowd pushing and shoving to get close, the disciples couldn’t believe he was concerned about one person touching his clothes. 

“And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.  But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.” (Mark 5:32-33)

Jesus looked for the person who had touched him, and the woman, fearing he would be angry finally confessed to touching him, explaining why she had done so.  She had thought he wouldn’t even notice such a little thing. 

“And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” (Mark 5:34)

Jesus was not angry, he just wanted her to know he cared about even her problem, no matter how small it was.  Unfortunately, we frequently forget that God is concerned about even our smallest problems.  The cure for her problem was the same as that for others with bigger problems, just trusting him to heal them. 


1 comment:

  1. This is a beautiful example of Jesus' love, compassion and grace. It was the inspiration for a dance that we choreographed for our dance ministry, to music for which I wrote the lyrics, entitled "Save Me Jesus." Thanks for the great post.

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