Jun 4
Submitted by on as 2023


Mark 5:25-34           (Also found in Matthew 9:20-22 and Luke 8:42-48)


(25) And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, (26) and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, (27) when she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. (28) For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. (29) And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. (30) 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? (31) And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? (32) And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. (33) But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. (34) And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.


  This is a great story to learn a valuable lesson. Here is a women who has been suffering an affliction for many years. She had spent all her money on many doctors but the condition only seemed to get worse. Then when she heard of Jesus her thought was If I could only touch his clothes, she would be made whole. And of course, she does, and Jesus notices that virtue had left him. He turns and says who touched my clothes. There were many people around him touching and shoving, but one person made a difference when they touched him. She comes forth and he tells her that her faith has made her whole.

 

  When I read this, the first thing that comes to mind is whenever we are afflicted or come across hard times in our life, our first reaction is self-help. It is what the woman did, she was seeking in all the wrong places. Then she hears about Jesus and probably all the miracles he has performed and realized; He is the only one who can help me. She makes a point to Go and get close to Him to just be able to touch His clothes, not even talk to Him, but literally to just be near Him. (Psalm 73:38) In our modern times, we have the knowledge and access of the great things Jesus does, yet when we run into problems, usually that last thing we do is to seek out and draw close to Jesus. We have been groomed for self-help, I can do it all on my own mentality. That was never the plan of God. He wanted to be the one that we grew near to and trusted to heal our sickness and supply our needs and to provide us with everything we needed.


Are we seeking God in the fashion that to us it is a life and death situation? It was almost for certain it was for her.

 

Are we seeking God in the fashion that even He notices when he has been touched by us? Every day, God is being prayed, to sought after by millions of people, but do you make a difference that He feels you in your approach to Him.

 

Do we wait or only seek God after our Self-help remedies do not help our afflictions? Whether it be sickness or issues in every day life.


Has Jesus told you: Your faith has made you whole. Go in peace?

 

Psalm 73:28   But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord GOD, That I may declare all thy works.

James 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

Matthew 6:25  Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

Philippians 4:6  Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

2 Thessalonians 3:16  Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

Colossians 3:15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Matthew 6:33   But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

 


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COMMENTS


[ posted by Cindy, 06/05/2023 09:11 AM ]

We have to remember back in that time her constant bleeding problem made 
her "unclean" by Jewish law.  She would not been able to participate in their religious customs or practices, No one would touch her, or  they too would become "unclean."
So we have to imagine her plight thru life.  She as not allowed to  have fellowship with others like her. She would have been looked at unfavorably.
 
Isn't it strange how of all the people around Jesus probably pushing and shoving  near Him... that only when SHE touched Him, He knew. He was not even interacting with her. Could he feel her unwavering faith? Her desperation?  She had that much faith in this man, the people from all around  had starting to talk about his miracles, and believed He was the savior coming to save them.  Her faith was so great to be healed and knew only He could do it. And He felt it.  Wow!    You also notice he acknowledges her faith and publicly blesses her.   He did not see her as unworthy or untouchable, but as someone who needed his love and grace.   It's also worth noting that in Jewish tradition that every devout Jew wore four tassels on the four corners of their outer garment.  It would signify they were a chosen people and the tassels were a daily reminder they belonged to God.  Was she attempting to try and touch a tassel she thought he was wearing?  Notice He says "your faith has healed you" (not His clothing! Which she was so desperate to touch!)  
I also noticed He calls her "daughter."  Like you talk to a member of your own family.
That day she was "free." She was saved.  The peace she had seeking, filled her.
She found that rest in Jesus.
 
Again we talk about faith and action together.  The woman's faith and belief in Jesus
made her seek Him out, she went to find Him. Make her way thru the crowd to just try to touch His clothing believing He who was.  Her faith was that strong.
Mike has great statements about our own faith.  Do we seek God only as a last resort?  Do we wait til we need something?  Does God think our faith in Him is convenient?  Are we wishy washy?  Do we even have that kind of faith this woman had?  Are we desperate enough for Jesus?
Faith requires risk.
True faith gets God's attention.
God's attention to your faith is not divided.
God works with imperfect faith.
When Jesus heals, it is complete.
 

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[ posted by Mike, 06/06/2023 12:06 PM ]

That is a great follow up!

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[ posted by Mike, 06/08/2023 09:44 AM ]

As stated by Cindy, she risked herself publicly to get to Jesus, even if her doing so could of caused her life under the circumstances of the time. Yet today we hide our Jesus in public apparently afraid of any backlash we may receive, and expect Him to do great things.

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