And a great crowd followed him and thronged about him. 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. Mark 5:24b-26 (ESV)
Wow! God has an amazing sense of timing. I mean, we all know that, right? We know that God does all things well and at the right time, but a lot of the time, I don’t really realize it.
I started this study of Mark a little over a week ago and am taking it a chapter at a time: reading, reflecting, and creating in my journal bible.
That I would reach Mark 5 now is perfect timing. I have a sore on my foot that looked like it was getting infected so I went to see my doctor today. When he saw my foot, he said it was a very good thing that I had come in. I have a deep infection that if left alone could erode the bone and spread quickly throughout my body. Yikes!
Reading about how Jesus is our healer is the perfect prescription.
Here is a woman who has almost given up all hope. She has been sick (bleeding, in fact) for twelve years with no relief. She has spent all her money on treatments that don’t work. She has only gotten worse, never better.
She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. Mark 5:27 (ESV)
One last hope. This woman is suffering and desperate. And what is her action?
She draws near to Jesus.
Oh, if I could only learn this one lesson from this nameless woman in the bible! When a problem presents itself, my first course of action should be to draw near to Jesus.
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. Mark 5:28-29 (ESV)
She heard of the healings of Jesus and believed. Lesson number two from her is no small thing either. (Too bad she can’t start a blog – I’d love to learn more from her!)
If only I would read the bible and truly believe to the point that it directs all my actions. Lord, help my unbelief!
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.” Mark 5:30-34 (ESV)
Jesus whirls around and asks, “Who touched me?” He felt the healing power go out of Himself. The disciples have no idea what Jesus is talking about because there is such a large and pressing crowd around Jesus.
The unnamed woman is terrified that she is in trouble for touching him but full of integrity. She could have hidden, tried to blend in, started to sneak away. But no. She owns up, bows before Him, and tells the whole truth.
How often do we not even own up to passing gas in public in spite of the fact that the only consequence would be embarrassment? This woman teaches me another lesson that when faced with potential punishment and ridicule, I should always own up and tell the truth.
Three lessons from a woman that most readers give hardly a thought.
Her actions, Her faith, Her integrity. Jesus rewards her with healing that lasts and peace that endures.
What will my actions, my faith, and my integrity yield today?
Action Step: I am going to help myself remember that Jesus is my healer and the Prince of Peace. Later in Mark 5:36, Jesus says, “Do not fear, only believe.” Here is a printable that I am printing out and putting on the fridge so I will see it often. Click on it to get a free printable version to print too!
God, thank you that you heal all our diseases. Thank you for being involved in our daily lives and setting up things like the right chapter of the bible at the right time. Help me to be full of faith, full of integrity, and willing to take action. In Jesus’ name, amen.