This sick, unnamed woman must have been withered after a hemorrhage lasting for twelve years, which rendered her legally unclean. She could not throw herself, therefore, at the feet of Christ and reveal her problem. Her modesty, humility, uncleanness and pressure of the crowd made close contact almost impossible, therefore her eagerness to just touch the hem of Jesus garment. “…a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better SHE GREW WORSE. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed.” IMMEDIATELY HER BLEEDING STOPPED and she felt in her body that SHE WAS FREED FROM HER SUFFERING.” (Mark 5:25-29)
What this poor woman really endured at the hands of the medical men of the time is left to the imagination. What a touch of reality is given to her story by the knowledge that she had suffered many things of many physicians and was no better but rather “GREW WORSE.” WHERE MEN FAILED, CHRIST SUCCEEDED. What is not possible with men is blessedly possible with God. Her disease was of long standing yet she was swiftly healed, for as soon as she touched the hem of His garment, IMMEDIATELY her bleeding stopped. “At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from Him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” “You see the people crowding against you,” His disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?'” But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at His feet and, trembling with fear (because she was unclean), told Him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go IN PEACE and BE FREED FROM YOUR SUFFERING.” (Mark 5:30-34)
Oh that we could humble ourselves and JUST BELIEVE that what Jesus says, HE CAN DO!!!
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham