WOMEN IN THE WORD: SUFFERING FOR TWELVE YEARS

Think back twelve years… 2014. There’s been a lot of water under the bridge! Your kids have grown. You’ve moved to a new house and changed jobs. Your hair has turned grey, and you’ve gained some weight… Twelve years is a long time.

This dear lady had suffered, “bleeding for twelve years … and endured much under many doctors. She had spent everything she had and was not helped at all. On the contrary, she became worse” (Mark 5:25-26).

Matthew, Mark, and Luke each tell her story. There is no mention of a husband or a family. There was no one to hold her hand, no one to comfort and encourage. She was alone!

At the end of her rope, ready to give up, without hope… she heard that Jesus was in town.

Jesus! The miracle-working rabbi! The One who had fed five-thousand. The One who had calmed the sea. The One who had healed the leper, the blind, the lame. Jesus!

“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). She believed.

Anemic, weak, and frail, she shoved and pushed her way through the crowd. She wanted to get close enough to touch Him. She had to … her life depended upon it. Reaching out, she brushed the hem of His coat. When she did…

“Instantly her flow of blood ceased, and she sensed in her body that she was healed of her affliction” (Mark 5). “The woman was made well” (Matthew 9:22). “She was instantly healed” (Luke 8:47).

Turning, Jesus looked compassionately into her eyes. “Daughter … your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be healed from your affliction” (Mark 5:34).

“… think on these things” (Philippians 4:8, KJV).