Lessons on Faith from the Woman with the Blood Issue.

And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. Mark 5:25-29

After several days in the hospital and weeks in recovery, we are glad my husband had survived the Covid-19 virus. However, in the months which followed, we learned this virus left Richard with a blood issue. Discovering blood clots in his lungs as well as his legs was very concerning. Months after treatment, we received a diagnosis of “Chronic Blood Clots.”  The doctors told us, my husband, Richard, will have to be on medication for the rest of his life.

In the Bible story of Jesus healing a bleeding woman, we have an opportunity to understand how little faith and action are required for God to notice us and change our circumstances. We find this story in all three of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke), and never once is her name revealed. However, we do know her condition and the extent of her problem. The woman had been bleeding for twelve years, suffered a great deal, spent all her money on doctors, and instead of getting better, she was getting worse.

Desperate people do desperate things.

With a diagnosis of chronic blood clots, my temptation is to accept this as our new reality. To consider it a blessing to have modern medicine available to support a lifelong blood issue without healing it. Unlike the woman in our story today, Richard’s life will not be altered much by his condition. However, the woman’s altered life drove her to desperation.

The woman with the blood issue would have been considered unclean, which meant she was unable to live a normal life, and was in a sense, dead to the people around her. You can read in Leviticus 15:19-31 what it meant to be a woman who was bleeding.

Upon hearing that Jesus would be coming through town, her desperation mixed with her faith, and she made a risky choice. Knowing she should not be out in public, understanding the condemnation she would receive for being in town, she walked right into the crowd of people surrounding Jesus. Feeling like she didn’t dare step up and talk to Him, she snuck up behind Him and bravely reached out to touch just the hem of His robe.

If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.

My faith is small, and my fears are long. My heart is unsure. Do I dare ask God for a miracle? What right do I have to ask for more after all God has already done? Do I dare step up to the King of Kings and request complete healing for my husband?

Our woman in this story was held back by her modesty, humility, and uncleanliness from approaching Jesus directly. But her faith was strong, and she believed in the power of the Lord.   Therefore, she surmised Jesus would heal her if she could touch the hem of His garment.

As soon as her fingertips brushed up against the cloth of Jesus’ robe, her bleeding stopped. At once, Jesus noticed the power had gone out of Him, and He questioned who had touched Him. This immediate transfer of energy did not go unnoticed by either party. When asked, “Who touched me?” The woman came forward and told all.

Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth.

Mark 5:32

Only faith can release God’s healing. I know the Lord and believe in the power of healing. I will not stop praising Him for what He has done, but my faith will not allow me to stop praying for complete healing in the body of my husband.

It is faith that heals.

Jesus didn’t see a woman who was breaking the law. He did not concentrate on her uncleanliness. He saw her pure faith, and instead of blaming her for reaching out and touching his garment, He confirmed and encouraged her.

Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.

Mark 5:34

It would be easy for us to sit in our situation and never risk asking for more. Had the bleeding woman stayed home, she would have missed out on her complete healing. My dear friend, please do not miss out on the blessings God has in store for you by waiting for the perfect moment or situation. Imagine yourself reaching out and touching the hem of His garment as you stop right now and dare to ask for complete healing in your body, soul, and mind. Listen to Him say, “Your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Heavenly Father, as I reach out and touch the hem of your garment, as I come to you with a pure heart, I ask for you to heal what is wrong. I believe in the power of your touch on my life and the lives of those I love. We boldly ask to be freed from our suffering. In Jesus’ name. Amen.