Poor woman. She had been "subject to bleeding for twelve years"! It's easy to read over those words quickly but what suffering they represent! By Jewish law she was considered unclean. No mixing socially. No sexual relations. She must have been exhausted from anemia. At the end of her rope. She had spent all her money on doctor bills and not one of those doctors had given her health or hope.
Many of us can relate to this sick woman. We might suffer from health problems that are unique to us women. They may be too personal to share or to talk about much, so we feel isolated and alone. Our condition may not be life threatening, but it saps our strength and provides one more irritation in our already busy and complicated lives. The medical community may be unable to help, or the help forthcoming may be patronizing and discount our emotions and ignore our instincts about our own bodies.
The story in Mark 5 offers us encouragement. This woman was desperate, but she had heard about Jesus and her hope was renewed. She didn't want to call attention to herself - she had lived long with embarrassment - but she quietly worked her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of his cloak. I don't think Jesus had to turn around to know who had touched him. I think he did so to show her (and all those around him) how much he cared for her. I can picture him lifting her from her knees where she huddled in fear and, to her joy, calling her "Daughter." He looked her full in the eyes and ended her ordeal with his loving words, "Go in peace and be freed from your suffering".
Whatever problems we have, none are too personal to take to Jesus. He might offer us instant healing or inspiration to try a different approach or treatment to our health problems. We may indeed have to live with them for a long time. But in any case, we are his "daughters," and he offers hope of healing in every aspect of our lives, personal or not (Read Mark 5:25-34). AUTHOR: Ruth DeJager
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