The Story of the woman with the issue of blood is widespread in Church culture. After suffering for years with an unknown disorder she’d spent all she had on cures that only made the condition worse. But one fateful day she encounters God in the flesh. She seeks after him with purpose and everything changed for her with just one touch.
Mark 5:25-28 (ESV)
25 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, 26 and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. 27 She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. 28 For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.”
A few things are worth noting from the above account. First, this was not a spur of the moment decision for this woman. She had heard of Jesus and most likely had been told about the great miracles He was known for doing. This causes her to seek Him out with a purpose in her heart.
Notice also that she came with true faith not wavering over whether she believed or not. She did not say I hope, think, or maybe I will be healed if I touch Him. No, she had it settled in her heart that if she could just touch the hem of Jesus’s garment she would be healed. And you know what? She was healed in an instant!
Mark 5:29 (ESV)
29 And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
As we continue to read things get even more interesting. Jesus is in the middle of a crowd. Being touched on all sides. He still notices one touch that is different from all the others. Which actually causes the Disciples who were with him to question him.
Mark 5:30-32 (ESV)
30 And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” 31 And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it.
You see, even though, Jesus felt touches from multiple people, they were all the same. Except the one-touch from the only person in the crowd coming to Jesus with a purpose and the faith to see it accomplished. So Jesus continued to look for the person until she revealed herself to Him.
Mark 5:33 (ESV)
33 But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth.
As you can see the woman was afraid of what Jesus may do to her. For two reasons, one being the fact that she knew something had changed within her. The other, because it stopped Jesus in his tracks and caused Him to immediately search the person out. She was expecting a rebuke but Jesus simply said go peace and that she had been healed.
Mark 5:34 (ESV)
34 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
This verse its self is powerful. Jesus explains that it was not touching Him that healed her. It was because of her faith that she received healing by touching Jesus. If just a touch was enough, all those in the crowd would have received a blessing too. But only this woman came that day with the kind of faith required to receive something from God. Its the same kind of faith described by James in his letter.
James 1:6-8 (ESV)
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
When we go to God it’s important that we do it just like this woman did. With a purpose and true faith. Our purpose can be anything from healing to just bringing glory to His name. Believing that God is able to do whatever we need. Not just hoping that God will act in our lives, but truly having faith in the Lord. This is not the teaching of the man but that which Jesus taught in His ministry.
Mark 11:24 (ESV)
24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Matthew 7:7 (ESV)
7 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Don’t be like those in the crowd. Standing in the presence of God but not receiving anything. All because they came to Him with no purpose. Or because they just didn’t really believe God could do what they needed.
Instead, choose to be like the woman who received her blessing because she sought out Jesus. With true faith and a purpose. And don’t forget the other lesson taught through this woman’s actions. A little bit of Jesus can go along way!
Visit Justin’s personal website Here. Or see articles from other writers we feature Here. Also, be sure to stop by our prayer wall.