Women of the Bible

Bible Study

by

Gladys DeMichael

April 2007

THE HEMORRHAGING WOMAN –

EXTENDED FAITH

Scripture:                          Mark 5: 25-34

Support Scripture:      Matthew 9: 20-22; Luke 8: 40-48

This is the story of a “nameless” woman who had an extraordinary encounter with a man named Jesus; the “name above all other names”.  Some translations title this portion of scripture in the book of Mark, “Faith Born in Desperation”. This woman had suffered a condition of hemorrhaging for twelve years.  A long succession of physicians had treated her, and treated her badly, taking all her money and leaving her worse off than before.  She was a desperate person!  Alone, sick, and seemingly without hope, she expected to live in pain and as an outcast until she died.

According to the Law (Leviticus 15: 25-33), the bleeding would have rendered her ceremonially unclean.  She would have been cut off from all good Jews, both female and male.  Even to come in contact with a chair she sat on was to contaminate oneself.  Alone, sick and seemingly without hope, she was isolated from all community life.  She could not go to the temple nor the synagogue, thus excluded from all corporate worship of God.  Most commentators believe that her husband would have divorced her.  Others suggest that she would have been obliged to leave him.  Whatever the scenario, it was impossible for her to maintain a normal relationship.  Even in today’s world with modern medicine to help us, a condition like hers would have been exhausting and debilitating; perhaps even causing depression.

“But”….this woman in need heard that Jesus was in town.  A flicker of hope stirred in her mind.  She believed that if she could get to Him, perhaps He could help her.

Biblical Truth:    “But” is a three letter word meaning “on the contrary” and is often used after a negative.  Scripture is filled with lessons from our Lord where this word is a “connector” to a truth or promise.  “But seek first the kingdom of God…” (Matthew 6:33), “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God…” (John 1: 12). 

If she could just reach out to Him, she would be healed!  He could do for her what no one had been able to do.  In the midst of her emotional turmoil, she made the decision to go where she was not welcomed, hoping to be unnoticed in the crowd.  This decision showed the depth of her faith.  Pushed and shoved in the midst of the pressing crowd, her eyes saw the Teacher, Jesus.  Propelled toward Him by desperation and hope she worked her way through the multitude of onlookers, afraid every moment that she would be recognized and ordered back.  Fear - pulled her back…..determination – pushed her on!  She ignored the convention of the day just for a chance to touch Jesus and be clean.

Biblical Truth:   Trust in God robs fear of its power over us!  David said, “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You” (Psalm 56:3).  I have written next to this verse in my Bible, by an act of my will.   Be determined to trust and believe God’s promise of deliverance and protection to His people.  Remember – fear never comes from God!

Finally, coming up behind Jesus, she reached out and touched the blue and white tassels of His robe.  Every good Jewish man wore four white tassels bound in blue thread on the four corners of his robe; one in front, one on each side and one in the back.  This was called “the hem of His garment” (Matthew 9:20).  At first it was a tentative reach then with desperate determination, she grasped the tassel.

The word Mark uses “touch” in the Greek means “clutch”.  This woman didn’t just brush her hand against the hem, she clutched it.  The Law said, “Do not touch” but she not only touched, she clutched the tassel.  And immediately, in “that moment” all the weakness and sickness that had plagued her every day for twelve long years was gone.  She was healed!

Picture this scene in your mind.  A large crowd was pressed around Jesus.  Who were the people in this crowd?  We know from the Scriptures that they were the blind, the lame, men, women and children of all ages, eager to get close to the One who “did great things” (Mark 5: 19).  No doubt it was a hot day and the road dry and dusty.  In spite of all the obstacles, she extended her faith and was changed forever!  What a testimony to her persistence.

Biblical Truth:  “Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid down at Jesus feet, and He healed them” (Matthew 15: 30 NKJV)

When Jesus comes, the tempter’s power is broken;

When Jesus comes all tears are wiped away. 

He takes the gloom and fills the life with glory,

For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.                                                                                         Oswald Smith

Jesus responded to faith’s touch by asking the question that bewildered His disciples (5:30).   He, being God, knew who had touched Him but it seems clear that He wanted to lift up this woman and her faith to a higher level.  He wanted her to know that she had exercised faith in Him, and that her faith, not the hem of His robe, had healed her.  He also wanted her to come forth in front of the crowd.  Up to that moment she had been an outcast.  Now she was set in front of that mob as an example of faith.  She came trembling with fear when He asked the question, fell at His feet and told her story of illness and isolation, then of her touch and healing.

Characteristic of the Lord, He responds with comforting words and voice, “Daughter, it is your faith that has healed you. Go home in peace, and be free from your trouble” (Mark 5: 34 Phillips).  No scolding or words of shame from His lips.  He addressed her not harshly, but tenderly, not as a “woman” or “sinner” but rather as “daughter”. This is the only place in the New Testament where Jesus called a woman “daughter”.  He called her into a relationship with Him; a part of His family by virtue of her faith.

Biblical Truth:  Do you sometimes feel invisible, unwanted, lost in a crowd?  When we reach out to Jesus in faith – perhaps with only a little bit of faith – it is enough.  He will find us, lift us up, and calls us “Daughter”, as He brings us into a relationship with Himself.  “But You are a shield around me, O Lord; You bestow glory on me and lift up my head” (Psalm 3:3 NIV).  God is my protector (shield), my source of honor and the center of my hope (glory), and the cure for discouragement (lifts up my head).  “I am the Lord your God….I broke the bars of your yoke and enabled you to walk with heads held high” (Leviticus 26:13b NIV).

What made this woman so passionate about going to Jesus?  Faith!  She believed that He could and would do for her what He had done for so many. Her hope was not the kind of hope that says, “Maybe it will happen; I hope so”.  Her hope said, “I know He can heal me”!

The Greek word for “healed” actually means “saved”.  In this story of the hemorrhaging woman, both physical healing (be healed from your affliction) and spiritual salvation (go in peace) are meant.  Also, the Greek text actually says, “go into peace”.  What a marvelous message!  Jesus is saying to this woman and to us, “move out of restlessness and into peace.  Leave turmoil behind and move into peace”.  What a magnificent place to live – in peace!    Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.  Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:27 NKJV).

Biblical Truth:  God promises to heal us, but we need to remember that our concept of healing is not necessarily the same as God’s.  For some, physical healing may take place here on earth and this encourages our faith.  However, ultimate healing will take place not here but in heaven; healing from our sickness, our disabilities and our inclination to sin.  In Heaven we will be made whole!  “I am the Lord who heals you” (Exodus 15:26).

Remember this nameless woman whose faith was born in desperation.  She sought Jesus and found Him and when she did, He met her needs.  He asked nothing more of her except that she believe He had the power to do for her what she could not do for herself.  It is the same with us today.  Jesus asks only that we believe He has the power to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. In a relationship with Him, we have all God’s love and God’s power at work on our behalf.  Our faith may be imperfect; it may be weak.  But… (there’s that word!) when we come with whatever faith we have, He reaches out to us with healing.  And we, too, will hear His words, “Go in peace”.  He always responds to those who hope in Him.  He will do more than we can imagine.

How ready Jesus is to respond to the hand of outstretched faith!

Ponder – Praise - Pray:

• Do you have a situation, a problem, a circumstance, a relationship for which you need to extend your faith?  Reach out with a prayer of faith.  Believe that God stands ready to help you.  “But happy are those who have the God of Israel as their helper, whose hope is in the Lord their God” (Psalm 146: 5 NLT). Say as often as necessary, I believe God!
• Consider how long it has been since you expressed your faith in the midst of a group of people.  Our faith is strengthened when we express it.  Make it a goal this week to talk to others about your faith.          “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel.  I see it as the very power of God working for the salvation of everyone who believes it” (Romans 1: 16 Phillips).
• The hemorrhaging woman tried everything in order to be healed.  When Jesus came to her village she knew she had another option.  Perhaps right now, God is your last resort.  That’s OK.  He stands ready to help and heal.  You are never beyond the touch of His love and the reach of His grace.   God says, “I know what I’m doing.  I have it all planned out – plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.  When you call on Me, when you come and pray to Me, I’ll listen” (Jeremiah 29: 11-12 The Message).
• Re-read the focus text, Hebrews 4: 14-16, using several translations.  Praise God for His promises contained in those verses; we will receive, we will find.        

The glory of Christ is that He succeeds when others fail.  He brings healing when doctors say none is possible.  He offers forgiveness when the heart says it can never be forgiven.  He extends comfort when the agony is too great to carry and peace when all is chaos.  He presents the possible after twelve years of impossibility!  Ann Spangler & Jean E. Syswerda

Is your burden heavy as you bear it all alone?

Does the road you travel harbor danger yet unknown?

Are you growing weary in the struggle of it all?

Jesus will help you when on His name you call.

Is the life you’re living filled with sorrow and despair?

Does the future press you with its worry and its care?

Are you tired and friendless, have you almost lost your way?

Jesus will help you just come to Him today.

He is always there hearing every prayer faithful and true.

Walking by our side in His love we hide all the day through.

When you get discouraged just remember what to do,

Reach out to Jesus; He’s reaching out to you.

Ralph Carmichael

Prayer

Dear Lord.  I ask Your forgiveness for my struggling to live as a Christian without extended faith.  Help me to remember that faith is a gift that increases with use.  Please give me opportunities to exercise my faith this week, and if needs be, bring this woman’s story to my mind.  I praise You for your willingness to always respond to my outstretched hand of faith!

Amen