His : HEALING

‘The His Series’ – a study looking at three life-changing encounters, broken women had with Jesus in the New Testament; highlighting three particular attributes of God: His redemption, forgiveness and healing.

The third and final lady we’re looking at is ‘The Woman With the Issue of Blood” – whose story is told in Mark 5:25-34.

Jesus was on His way to heal the daughter of Jairus – a ruler in the synagogue, when great multitude followed and crowded Him. We’re told of a woman among the crowd who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding. We come to know and infer the  following:

1. This was a chronic, abnormal condition.
2. This was an affliction that she could “feel,” and which made her suffer, though whether physically or emotionally is not clear (vs. 29).
3. Chronic loss of blood probably meant she suffered for Anaemia and was a physical weakness for her.
4. She had endured medical “cures” (vs. 26).
5. She had suffered under medical treatments.
6. She spent all her money paying for these treatments which left her worse off.
7. She was ceremonially unclean. Thus everything and everyone she touched became ceremonially unclean, so she was shunned by everyone, even family. Sexual relations were unclean, her bed and even her husband were ceremonially unclean, so she probably was divorced by her husband (deu 24:1). Worship in the synagogue was barred to her since she could not make atonement for her blood flow (lev 15:28-30).

Jesus was in the midst of the multitude of people and this woman pushed through the crowd and made her way to Him. She approached Him from behind –  not shouting His name, not demanding his attention, not requiring anything at all of  Him – only herself, to simply touch the hem of His garment.  She was desperate. She was willing to break social taboos. She was willing to hope in Jesus. She pushed through and touched Him… She was INSTANTLY healed!

Jesus did not heal all who touched Him in the crowd, but He perceived her secret touch. He knew instantly healing power had gone out from Him, and He wanted to know who had been healed. Upon enquiry His disciples said to him,“Look at this crowd pressing around you. How can you ask, ‘Who touched me?’” When the woman saw that she was unable to hide from the Lord she came trembling and falling down before Him. He commended her for her faith, wished her peace and sent her away – completely healed.

Jesus was on His way to heal a girl who was at the point of death! Yet, in spite of the seriousness of His mission, Jesus took the time to stop for this woman! Jesus said something so profound to her: “Daughter, your faith has made you well…” There’s an incredible difference in touching Jesus with faith and just touching Jesus. Many people touched Jesus that day, yet nothing happened.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” – Hebrews 11:6

This woman had a great need and had the faith to come to Jesus for its resolution. The woman’s healing was a demonstration of Jesus’ power and deity, and the woman recognised this. In turn, Jesus recognised her saving faith and gifted her with total healing—both in body and soul. Like the man blind from birth who came to Jesus for healing and found both healing and redemption (John 9:2-25) this woman found all that her heart desired in Jesus.

She was healed! Her battle with this dread disease was forever finished! She had received a brand new life from the hand of the Master. She was no longer rejected, unclean, unworthy – Jesus In His mercy and love, He extended to her a gift of which all others would have deemed her undeserving: His grace, His healing… HIMSELF!

He did it for her… He can do it for you!

His : Healing

IfyAlexis Xx