The story of the woman with the issue of blood has always intrigued me. story I have read numerous times, and one which has such application to our own lives.
You can find the accounts of the story in Matt 9:18-22, Mark 5:21-34 and Luke 8:40-48. Mark and Luke give the most detailed accounts.
It was a day the Jesus did a miracle, on the way to doing a miracle. Image the scene as the popularity of Jesus was growing, everywhere he was travelling people were gathering, so see what was going to happen next.
Jesus has just stilled the storm on the sea of Galilee, and also release a man from demons in the land of the Gadarenes. He was returning and they landed in front of a multitude of people.
The leader of the synagogue - Jairus, had come to ask Jesus for help, His daughter he thought was dying. Jesus didn't say anything to help simply walked with him to confront the problem. I have always wondered what was going through Jarius mind. What hope was stirred up in his heart when the self proclaimed son of God decided to walk with the leader of the temple, who was still preaching that one day, we will meet the son of man.
Then the interruption, then Jarius heart must have sank. As Jesus proclaimed 'who touched me' . The disciples were trying to make out that the crowd was so big, anyone could have. Yet a resolute Jesus stood his ground, pushing the point and explaining 'virtue or power' had gone out of him.
Jarius was probably feeling devastated by now and as the minutes ticked away, hope of something happening was falling through his fingers. Jesus was insistent and eventually a lady came through the crowd to share details of what happened to her. No doubt bringing more delays from Jarius' point of view.
Here is a summary of what she shared
Subject to Bleeding for 12 Years (MATT)
Came up Behind him to ‘touch his Garment’ (MATT)
Been under the care of many Doctors (MARK)
Spent all she had and the bleeding had gotten worse (MARK)
Let's talk about this lady
I have often wondered what the lady would have gone through in those 12 years. Personally I think she felt this was the last chance. But I also wonder if she thought, I'll find Jesus we'll have a quiet conversation and I'll share my private problem with him.
What was she thinking ?
What was she crying out for in Private ?
How many friends did she loose ?
How many dresses did she reuin ?
How much money did she spend ?
How many experts did she consult ?
How many lotions and potions did she try ?
Did her heart sink when she saw the large crowd ?
The bottom line was, even faced with so many difficulties she still stepped out in faith, pressed through the crowd and touched Jesus. She wasn't going to let her opportunity be wasted.
Once she had finished, some servants from Jarius house came to confirm the death of his daughter, he must have been devastated. Jesus without doubt proclaimed, she hasn't died, she's just sleeping. We know the outcome of the story, Jesus finished his walk to Jarius home, put everyone out of the room except for Jarius and his wife and then raised his daughter back to life.
I always wondered why Jesus made this woman give her testimony. He was in no rush and she had to share all the details. I then came across this portion of scripture at the end of Matthew 14.
For people to understand the change in us, they must understand how we were
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT ?
MATT 14:34-36 (NKJV)
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.
Why did the people in Gennesaret think the only way you could get healed was by touching the hem of Jesus garment ? No doubt as the multitude of people who were there that day and saw first hand what happened, returned home, carried on their business, the story of what happened got gossiped around.
I can imagine the conversations, 'You'll never guess what happened today...'
The testimony of the miracle the woman with the issue of blood shared, ended up building faith and the end result was an entire region was blessed by the miracle working power of Jesus.
This story is a modern day picture of the church. How long must we wait for Revival to come, for a touch from Heaven. Has it been 12 years already, and have we resigned ourself with where we are ? How do we smell to the people around us ?, Do we carry the smell of life or the stench of death ? Are we asking God for His Power ? If we are He will force us to be displayed
Before we can be a testimony we must have a touch from God.
The challenge to us today is to step out, in faith, in our weakness, without many resources and touch this world.
Let the testimony of Jesus resound around the country, we must believe today that our
miracle of revival exists as a church. We must stand strong and remain resolute, and
touch the hem of His garment for all to be healed.
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