Mark 5: 25 -34
Now there was a woman who had been suffering from haemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, ‘If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.’ Immediately her haemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, ‘Who touched my clothes?’ And his disciples said to him, ‘You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, “Who touched me?”’ He looked all round to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’
Reflection
This story appears in all three Synoptic Gospels. I am drawn to the version in Mark – with its conversation between Jesus and his disciples, and the woman who initially approached Jesus in fear and trembling going on to identify herself as the one who had touched his garment.
Immediately before this encounter, a senior member of the synagogue had come to Jesus explaining that his daughter was gravely ill and requesting that Jesus come and restore her. Jesus was on his way to do just that, when suddenly, it happened. To everyone’s surprise, Jesus stopped and allowed the unnamed woman to share her story. He listens. He calls her ‘Daughter’. He highlights that her faith has made her well.
I love that the woman’s healing took place at her own initiative. Her actions were full of risk, breaking all the social rules and norms – but worth it! She knew she had been healed from the moment she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment. In many of his healing miracles, Jesus asked people not to say anything to anyone over concerns of being overwhelmed. This time, he did not give that instruction – so I wonder about the people with whom the woman shared her story. It was such a personal story, so perhaps she only shared it with other women…in those days you didn’t talk about such things! But the woman had been healed by Jesus. No judgement…just a welcome to the family and back into society. What a testimony! I wonder, how many lives have been changed by hearing the woman’s account?
But you know, we all have a story to share. It may not be as dramatic as the healing of this woman, but we have faith – and Jesus affirms that faith is strong enough to make us whole. So, share the story of Jesus’ touch on your life – and it might just encourage others to reach out to Jesus too.
Prayer
Jesus, the great Healer,
we remember your ministry of healing
and how you changed the lives of so many people
as you brought healing and wholeness.
In your mercy, we seek your renewing touch
on body, mind and spirit to those who need healing.
Restore us. Touch our lives afresh,
and bring us closer to your kingdom.
Amen