Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.
Mark 5:25–27
We are told in the text that this poor woman had suffered for twelve years, constantly hemorrhaging blood. Imagine how emotionally spent she must have been. The physical suffering alone would have drained her strength, and the emotional toll would have left her weary and hopeless. Humanly speaking, she had lost all hope. She had visited every doctor she could find, only to discover that none could help her. She had spent all her financial resources, yet her condition only grew worse.
According to the Law, she was considered unclean (Leviticus 15:19). Think not only of the discouragement she must have felt, but also of the shame that weighed heavily upon her heart.
The bright spot in her story begins with the words, “When she heard about Jesus…” Perhaps she had heard that this Man gave sight to the blind, made the lame walk, healed the sick, and even turned water into wine. Deep in her personal agony, she thought to herself, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well” (v. 28).
Picture this woman pressing her way through the crowd—weak, unnoticed, yet determined. Perhaps she received scornful looks from those who knew her condition, aware she was “unclean” according to the Law. But her faith would not be deterred. As she reached out and touched the hem of His garment, “Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction” (v. 29).
Then we read: “And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched My clothes?’ But His disciples said to Him, ‘You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, “Who touched Me?”’ And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came 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 affliction.’”
What a powerful encounter! This woman’s faith connected her to the healing power of the Lord Jesus.
Anchor For Today:
What are you holding on to? What burden are you carrying? Have faith to come to the Lord Jesus—reach out to Him, believing that He is both willing and able to meet your need and answer your cry.