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“Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, 'If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.' Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.” (Mark 5.25-29; all emphasis mine, above & below, jeb). This same event is recorded in Matthew 9 and Luke 8; we will gather details from all accounts as we proceed with today's devotional.

Notice that the woman “came behind Him in the crowd.” Her intent was apparently to remain anonymous, but at the same time, to receive healing. Her thoughts were to just “touch His clothes.” Under what she perceived to be adequate cover (i.e. the throng of people around Him), she put her plan into action; Mark says, “Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed...” Even though she received what she came for, her plan was somewhat less than perfect. We now switch to Luke's record.

“And Jesus said, 'Who touched Me?' When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, 'Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, “Who touched Me?”' But Jesus said, 'Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.' Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately.” (Luke 8.45-47). The fact that “...she came trembling” is indicative of her humble spirit as well as perhaps some other behind the scenes factors. According to the Law of Moses, a woman with her disease was to be considered unclean and, as such, was to remain aloof from others in that anyone who touched her was to be considered unclean until the evening (see Leviticus 15.19-33). Perhaps it was this knowledge that made her not wish to be discovered since she had intentionally acted in a way that would have caused Jesus to be considered as ceremonially unclean.

Regardless of her intent or of her actions, Jesus' response was typical of how He treated people. Had He done nothing, it is likely that we would have no record at all of this event in as much as the woman would have quietly gone home a whole and healthy woman. Unless she chose to tell others how the healing occurred, it would have remained secret. However, Jesus' response to her was a compassionate and endearing response. Notice that His address to her used the word “daughter.” He did not condemn her actions, but rather implicitly approved of them. “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” (Luke 8.48). The miracle which occurred immediately upon her touch was allowed to stand and so was the overall good standing of the woman. Nothing was said or done by Jesus which indicated any irritation or displeasure with her actions; everything pointed to His approval of her deed since He said, “Your faith has made you whole!”

Not that the world would be significantly different had this woman not done what she did, but it would have been somewhat different. But for her, we would not have the expression, “the hem of the garment.” It is because of her faith that this idiom exists today. The next time you say or hear someone say, “We haven't even touched the hem of the garment,” think of this woman and her deed. Think of Jesus and His kind reaction to one who did what she could to seize a golden opportunity!

Questions:

1. How long had the woman had her illness? What had she done to rid herself of it?

2. What reason might she have had for wanting to touch Jesus but do so secretly?

3. What purpose might Jesus have had in exposing her to the crowds after her healing?

4. Did the woman's faith make her whole? Was it her faith alone? If not, what else was involved?

"Inspiration For You" from Randy Mitchell

Watching Your Dollars Fly Away