Where were you twelve years ago? June 2012. That’s ancient history!
For the weary woman, twelve years was a lifetime of misery. Of worry. Of loneliness.
For twelve years, the weary woman had been hemorrhaging. The Bible doesn’t give any additional details, but I suspect she was plagued with menstrual bleeding that never ceased. Month after month, year after year, for twelve years, she continued to grow more weary and weak.
Her physical troubles, though difficult, were only a small part of her plight. According to the Levitical Law, her bleeding rendered her “unclean” (Leviticus 15:25-26). Untouchable. Excluded.
I wish we could know more of her story. Was she married when the bleeding started, or was she engaged to handsome Mr. Right? Did her physical infirmity drive a wedge into otherwise healthy relationships? As the years passed, was she left alone?
She had spent every penny in search of a cure, but doctors and their remedies were powerless. Repeatedly, her hopes were dashed.
Then, Jesus came to town.
He was on an emergency mission, jostling, shoving, elbowing through the crowd toward the home of the religious leader (Mark 5:21-24). “Having heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his clothing. For she said, ‘If I just touch his clothes, I’ll be made well’ ” (Mark 5:27-28).
“Instantly her flow of blood ceased, and she sensed in her body that she was healed of her affliction” (Mark 5:30). In the swarming crowd, Jesus turned. I can imagine His knowing eyes, His compassionate smile. “Daughter … your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be healed from your affliction” (Mark 5:34).
Someday we’ll know the rest of the story!
“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).
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