Read: Luke 8:40-48
Question: Instead of by name, how would you like to be known as the woman with an issue of blood? Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record this woman’s story. Not one of them took the time to ask her if she had a name; however, they did take the time to talk about her faith. I reckon that’s more important anyway.
After a little research through some theology books, different translations, and the Internet, my heart goes out to this gal. Not only did she bleed for 12 years, and have to deal with all that, but an issue this severe left her with a lot of other problems, too: weakness, fatigue, headaches, irritability, brittle hair and nails, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, mouth sores, iron deficiency, and restless leg syndrome are all symptomatic. That’s just for starters. Then, there was The Law. The Law was very specific (starts at Leviticus 15:25): as long as she was bleeding she was unclean, everything she sat on or touched was unclean. So for twelve years, no one wanted to touch her or be near her, because to do so left you defiled (that word alone is intimidating)…and the process of cleansing was fairly complicated. Add to that the fact that she’d seen every legitimate doctor (and, probably, quack) around the country, and, as a result, she was flat broke. Take all this into consideration, and we see a woman barely holding onto a rope of hope. The emotional torment left her embarrassed, distressed, depressed, discouraged, and desperate. Her soul was wracked with a futile combination of fear and frustration. Put yourself in her shoes, how would you feel?
There was no question, this gal’s only remaining hope rested in the One she heard rumors about. One such rumor came from across the lake where a local crazy man had holed up for years in the tombs. The word on the streets, that came drifting through her window, was that Jesus had healed him. Now this man was dressed, in his right mind, and headed home to tell his story. She wanted to add her story to his.
In spite of her lack of energy, she made her way through the pressing crowds. This was no small task. It took every ounce of effort she could muster. She couldn’t get quite near enough, and she didn’t want to risk being seen or “felt” – if she were identified, it would leave the Master defiled. So, she bent low, beneath the outstretched arms above, all grabbing for a piece of Jesus, and simply touched the hem of his garment. You know the rest of the story. Immediately, she was healed and Jesus felt power go out of him. Jesus demanded to know who touched him. She had very little to lose, so trembling the woman stepped forward and blurted out her whole story. I love the words of Jesus from The Message, “Daughter, you took a great risk trusting me. Now you’re healed and whole… Go in peace.”
Here’s what her story teaches me:
Brokenness leads to great faith. This woman’s desperation drove her to take a chance she wouldn’t have taken otherwise. As long as she had something to “try next,” she could continue to look elsewhere for an answer. Being desperate is our biggest blessing.
Faith always involves a risk. We have to face our greatest fears and be willing to surrender to them for the sake of greater gain.
Jesus’ power is sufficient to break the chains of whatever holds us back from experiencing an abundant life. We just have to make the first move to reach out.
Faith not only saves, but it brings healing to our hearts and draws us into God’s family. For someone no one wanted to be near, Jesus’ use of the word “daughter” mended years of agony brought about by isolation.
This kind of faith always brings peace.
Did she deserve any of this? No. Neither do we; it’s ours, though, simply because of His grace.