The woman with the issue of blood dealt with a chronic bleeding disorder for twelve long years. She seeks all the medical help possible and exhausts all he finances doing so with no avail. Instead, her condition worsens rather than improving, considering all the professional help she sought.
The woman was at a point in her life where she had become desperate for a change, a miracle, and healing because she was tired of living her life this way—a life that kept her alone, a life that kept her isolated from the rest of society. According to Levitical law, a woman was considered ceremonially unclean if she had bleeding other than her menstrual period and should refrain from visiting any place of worship or public places (Leviticus 15:25-27).
When she heard about Jesus and His power to heal and forgive sin, she purposed in her heart to have an encounter with Him. She pushed through the crowd, and while doing she was encouraging herself. No doubt this woman had an internal battle going on, but her faith sustained her. She declared within herself that just the touching of Jesus’ garment would make her healed.
She was determined no matter what, and she pressed herself through the crowd to receive her healing. When she finally touched Jesus’ garment, she immediately got healed, showing an instantaneous miracle—her bleeding stopped. She did not question whether she was healed; she knew she was. You see, you do not need anyone to tell you what the power of God can do for you because there is a change that took place within. She was restored physically and spiritually.
Jesus then realized that someone had touched Him because power went out from Him. He uses this moment to teach others in the crowd the importance of having faith. Jesus did not call attention to this woman to make her feel embarrassed about what she did. He did because it was her persistent faith that healed her. She was willing to not let her one opportunity pass by without taking the initiative to do what was necessary to have her healing encounter.
With this unnamed woman who exercises profound faith, we learn that we, too, do not have to remain stuck in our issues year after year, or for however long. It is time to take matters into your own hands and press through the crowd to get to Jesus. Note, there will always be some roadblocks, but we must push through, go over, and do what is necessary to touch the hem of His garment.
Let us close in prayer…
Dear Lord, strengthen our faith and grant us the courage to seek You in moments of desperation and need. Help us to exercise a mustard seed faith so we can move the mountains in our lives like the woman with the issue of blood. May our hearts be open to Your healing touch, and may we always remember to glorify You through our testimonies in Jesus’ name.
Amen!
