Inspired by a miracle recorded in Mark Chapter 5 and Luke Chapter 8
The woman pushed her way through the dense and noisy crowd.
The scene was chaotic and the sounds from the excited multitude were loud.
The people were pressing together to see the Master.
The Christ had just arrived and the masses thronged Him to get closer.
She would have to make a desperate attempt to reach the famed preacher,
as she believed Jesus was the only one who could heal her.
She knew that this may be her last chance to be made well and whole,
but she wanted to be discreet so that no one but her would know.
Her health issue was one that she tried constantly to conceal-
one that people misunderstood and would be best not to reveal.
For twelve long years she had suffered with this illness-
spending all her resources on an affliction that seemed cureless.
Because of her infirmity she was treated as an outcast and normally would not be seen.
She endured avoidance and condemnation because she was considered unclean.
It was Jesus who brought her openly into the public eye.
She had heard of the miracles He performed in Galilee and the towns nearby.
She had spent much time thinking about His healing and teachings.
Could He possibly save her from her life of isolation and suffering?
She thought it best not to approach Him directly-
that just a touch of His clothes would be enough to make her healthy.
Finally she beheld the Savior and in that moment
she reached out to touch the hem of his garment.
Instantly she felt her body healed and renewed,
by the touch of her faith and the Saviors divine rectitude.
Her faith was rewarded and she felt the immediate relief-
it had all happened so quickly because of her effort and belief.
As Jesus felt virtue depart, he turned around to question the source of
the profound touch.
The woman fell down before Him and confessed-worried she had done too much.
“Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace” was His gentle response-
the same message He gives to all who come to Him seeking comfort and rest.
For this humble woman, it was not the hem of His robe that made her well-
it was her faith in Christ and His power to heal.
Do you have an issue in your life that seems hopeless?
Do you have enough faith to reach for the Lord and receive His blessings as promised?
January 2023
Mark 5: 25-34 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
From the book “Jesus the Christ” by James E. Talmage
“Observe the significant assertion, “Thy faith hath made thee whole”. Faith is of itself a principle of power, and by its presence or absence, by its fullness or paucity, even the Lord was and is influenced, and in great measure controlled, in the bestowal or withholding of blessings; for He ministers according to law, and not with caprice or uncertainty”. …. That there was an actual giving of His own strength to the afflicted whom He healed is evident from the present instance. Passive belief on the part of a would-be recipient of blessing is insufficient; only when it is vitalized into active faith is it power”.
Quentin L. Cook, “Foundations of Faith”, April 2017
“The root word for virtue could easily be interpreted as “power.” In Spanish and Portuguese, it is translated as “power.” But regardless, the Savior did not see her; He had not focused on her need. But her faith was such that touching the border of the garment drew upon the healing power of the Son of God. As the Savior said to her, “Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” I have contemplated this account all my adult life. I realize that our personal prayers and supplications to a
loving Father in Heaven in the name of Jesus Christ can bring blessings into our lives beyond our ability to comprehend. The foundations of faith, the kind of faith that this woman demonstrated, should be the great desire of our hearts”.
Anne C. Pingree, “ To Look, Reach and Come Unto Christ” October 2006
“I love the symbolism of women reaching out to touch the Savior. We long to be close to the Lord, for we know that He loves each of us and desires to encircle us “eternally in the arms of his love.” His touch can heal ailments spiritual, emotional, or physical. He is our Advocate, Exemplar, Good Shepherd, and Redeemer. Where else would we look, where else would we reach, where else would we come but to Jesus Christ, “the author and finisher of our faith”?
He pronounced: “Yea, verily … , if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive.” His promise invites us not only to reach towards Him but also to take the all-important next step: to come unto Him. This is such a motivating, cheering doctrine. The Messiah extends His arm of mercy to us, always eager to receive us—if we choose to come to Him. When we do come to the Savior with “full purpose of heart,” we will feel His loving touch in the most personal ways....
I have asked myself what might have happened if this woman with the issue of blood had not believed in the Savior enough to make whatever effort was necessary to touch the border of His robe. In that throng I imagine getting even that close to Him took some doing. Yet, “nothing wavering,” she persisted. In like manner, we must demonstrate that faith in the Lord has penetrated our hearts deeply enough to move us to action”.
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