Locations & Times

What was wrong with the woman in the story today? (She was sick.)

What did she do in the crowd of people when she saw Jesus? (She touched his robe.)

Who can heal? (Jesus can heal.)

Read: Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:43-48 

For 12 years this woman suffered constant bleeding, a disease that wiped her clean financially and alienated her culturally. But then she heard about Jesus and his reputation and ability to heal. The woman, despite the weight of her shame and uncleanliness, dragged herself toward Jesus. She hoped to fly under the radar, but Jesus knew he had been touched. Instead of ignoring what happened, he insisted on knowing who touched him. Why? Jesus cared about her. He wanted to see her and to know her. Jesus is always all about relationship with us. That’s why he came. Jesus encouraged and validated the strength and authenticity of the woman's faith, and he gave her more than just physical healing. He gave her peace.

This woman’s approach to Jesus is like so many of ours. We are desperate but determined. We are sure, but wavering—believing, but timid. The emotional and physical strength it took to leave her house must've been staggering, but we can relate, can't we? Thankfully, all Jesus needs from us is exactly what this woman did – to show up in spite of ourselves and believe that he is greater. The woman’s physical healing is a pretty bow on top of her story, and it could be easy to assume that great faith automatically correlates to great healing and no pain or problems in our lives. But we know that isn't true. We know it isn't true because we don't see it play out in our own lives, and we also know it isn't true because Jesus, who had perfect faith, still had to suffer immensely and die on a cross to save us.  

So what are we supposed to learn from this story? Perhaps it's that the object of our faith is much more important than the outcomes it may or may not produce. No doctors, no medicines, and no amount of time or money had saved this woman, and she knew she needed to put her faith in something, someone, greater. Putting our faith in Jesus doesn't guarantee our physical healing, but it does secure our peace (John 14:27). And we can be confident that in our time of greatest need, his grace and mercy are ours for the taking (Hebrews 4:16).

Jesus told this woman that her faith healed her. In what ways have you seen your faith in Jesus heal broken parts of your life?

Where in your life might you need greater faith, or where might you need to accept the peace Jesus is ready and willing to give you?