Wednesday, March 18

Scripture: Mark 5:25-34
And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. 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. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”

IF I JUST…….

There are probably more than a few of us who can recall a time when we were desperately seeking or waiting for an end to some trial in our lives. Perhaps it was monetary, perhaps it was a health issue, or issues with a job. Consider the plight of the bleeding woman. Reading Mark 5:25-34 makes some people uncomfortable. Even in our tell-all culture, reading about a woman’s gynecological problem can be perceived as “too much information.” Yet, scriptures like Leviticus 15:19-28 go into detail explaining the laws related to her condition. Considered unclean, she really couldn’t leave her house very easily, as potential contact with others while in this state was forbidden. For years, this woman had put her trust and her money into the hands of doctors, who not only did not cure her, but made her situation worse.

Then, something happens that literally changes her focus and her life. This woman hears about Jesus and believes that if He has healed others, she too can be healed. She chooses to believe with all her heart and mind that “If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed” (Mark 5:27). She didn’t think she would have an audience with Jesus. She didn’t think He would acknowledge her. Yet, she firmly believed that all she had to do was touch the hem of His garment, and she would be made whole (Mark 5:28).

Imagine if you will, this woman working her way toward Jesus. What she lacked in physical strength she poured into her faith. “If I just,” she thought, pushing through the crowd getting closer to Jesus. “If I just….” As she reached out with all the strength she had left, she made contact with His clothes. In an instant two things occurred (Mark 5:29-34). This woman was healed, and Jesus knew that healing power had left Him. “Who touched my clothes?” He asked. Jesus was walking in a crowd of people, and many were pressing up against Him. Yet, this one individual mattered to Jesus. She fell down at His feet and told her story, and in return is told “Your faith has healed you.” 

No further mention is made in Mark 5 about this woman. We can surmise that she went back to her daily life, only now she was healed. Her life changed in one touch!

PRAYER
Lord, thank you for Your Word. Thank You for reminding us that You are a healer, not only of our bodies, but of our souls. Help us to have the kind of faith this woman had, an all-consuming faith, fully believing that You are who You say you are; Our Savior, our risen Lord, and returning King.  May we always be ready to share with others the power of Your presence in our lives.
Amen.

Becky Fallon, Assistant Professor, Department of Nursing