Jump Start # 356
Mark 5:34 “And He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”
Our verse today is what the Lord said to the woman with an issue of blood. This is a fascinating story. It is found in one of the most action packed scenes in the Bible. At the end of Mark 4, Jesus crosses the Sea of Galilee. A violent storm takes place and the disciples believe that they are all going to die. Jesus rebukes the wind and the sea suddenly becomes calm. As soon as they reach shore, as Mark 5 begins, a demon possessed man races toward Jesus, screaming. He’s naked and has been dwelling in the tombs. The demons are cast into over 2,000 hogs, which turns them wild and they stampede off a cliff and drown. Jesus is not welcomed by the town so He gets back into the boat and crosses the sea again. As He reaches the shore and begins teaching, Jairus, a synagogue official begs Jesus to follow him to his house for his twelve year old daughter is dying. Jesus leaves with the official.
As He is traveling to Jarius’ home, an unnamed woman comes up behind Jesus and touches Him. She has a hemorrhage, or an issue of blood. She’s had this for twelve years. Her condition would make her weak physically, unclean spiritually, embarrassed socially, and exhausted emotionally. Mark tells us that she spent all that she had on doctors and has only grown worse. Now she is broke, hopeless and desperate.
She thinks that if she could get near Jesus and only touch Him that the powers about Him would heal her. She believed that. She doesn’t say anything to Jesus. She doesn’t want to draw attention. She wants to do this silently and secretively. She touches. Immediately her bleeding stops. Jesus knows. He asks who touched Him. The crowd is massive. The disciples proclaim that everyone is touching. Jesus knew that this wasn’t an accidental bump. He felt His powers going out.
He confronts the woman. She tells her whole story. This takes time. I expect Jairus is frantic at this point. Jesus could come back and talk to this woman. Now is not the time. But He talks. Making sure that she does not feel guilty for what she has done, Jesus calls her “daughter,” and assures her that it was her faith that made her well. It wasn’t Jesus’ special garments, it was Jesus who healed her.
News comes from Jairus’ home. The little girl has died. Jesus was too late. The messengers state, “don’t bother the teacher anymore.” They think that even Jesus can’t do anything now. If only He hadn’t stopped. If only that woman hadn’t touched. You can imagine the thoughts.
Jesus goes with Jairus to his home. There He resurrects the girl.
Great miracles. Great lessons.
First, Jesus knows. He knew the woman had touched Him. He wanted her to know. Second, the problems this woman faced were as important as the health of the synagogue official’s child. Notice the contrast. One is a man, the other a woman. One name is given to us, the other is not. One is an important official, the other unknown.
Your life and your world is important to God. You do not have to be an important person to draw the attention of God. He loves each of us. More of us walk in the steps of this woman than we do the synagogue official. More of us are private about our problems. More of us would rather come up behind Jesus and not make a scene.
Here we find our Savior saying, “It’s ok.” Don’t be afraid. Don’t be ashamed. When hope has run out, we turn to Jesus. He alone understands. He alone can help. He alone will treat us kindly.
What a beautiful story in our Bibles. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to meet this woman some day in Heaven? Wouldn’t it be more wonderful to meet the Savior in Heaven. He wants you there. Don’t give up. Don’t give up trying. Don’t give up on God. Don’t give up on your marriage. Don’t give up doing right. You may be weary. You may have run out of options. You may have tried everything, now it’s time to find Jesus.
If you haven’t read this story in your Bible, give it a try today. Mark 5 will show you how much God cares.
Roger