Her Faith Just Like Ours

DEBORAH, RUTH, ESTHER, ABIGAIL..., PICK YOUR PERSONALITY.

Mar 30, 2011

WHO TOUCHED ME?

"24 So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him. 25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.27 when she heard about Jesus; she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. 28For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” 29 immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” 31 But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” 32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. 33 but the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. 34 And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” Mark 5:24-34
 
Every woman can relate with this woman’s story but to what extent? It’s one thing for her to bleed for the usual five to seven days; it’s another thing entirely to bleed for seven whole years, equivalent of 4384 days. How fast could the red blood cells multiply to replace the lost ones? How much white blood cells would be left in the body to defend it from disease? How strong could her immunity have been after such loss of blood? How physically strong could she have been? How much money could she have left if she had being treated for the same illness over and over again, getting second opinions, perhaps being used as a guinea pig for the latest drug, being poked and prodded in various delicate places by physicians who were puzzled by her ailment yet unwilling to admit it.

The bible says this woman suffered many things in the hands of physicians. They promised her healing falsely yet continued to milk her dry. What could her life have been like?

Lev 15:19-31, paints a good picture of menstruating women and how they were seen and to be treated.

According to the Leviticus law, women were considered unclean during menstruation and were to remain separated from everyone. Everyone had to stay away from such women during this period and she would wait in isolation until the cessation of menstruation after which she would bring two turtles or two young pigeons to the priest who would offer both a sin offering and a burnt offering. Then she would be welcomed back to the camp, back to civilization, so to speak.  

Can you imagine how this erodes the discreetness we modern women so craves at such a time. Each time a woman goes into the separation camp, everyone goes ‘Oh oh, she’s got a bloody issue’, lol.

Well this law was still very much in effect during Jesus’ time and so this woman must have lived in isolation twelve long years. That must have been painful. She was isolated from everyone she loved and knew. She was denied physical touch or even intimacy. She couldn’t interact in anyway, share a joke or two, laugh and eat with people. Her body was riddled with this debilitating disease and basically she was as good as dead. In fact, she smelt like death as she probably never had the strength to wash her ‘separation clothes’, so she probably just laid in it day and night, fresh and crusted blood all mixed together. No luxury of ‘Always’ I’m afraid. J.

Then her finances dwindled fast. One thing is apparent, either she was a woman of means or she had family with some wealth because it seems she’d seen the best physicians over and over again. Her finances either dwindled or the family could no longer support her. They decided to leave her for dead after all she’d not been seen anywhere for twelve years anyway. But she never gave up. She never lost hope of being one day free from her infirmity. Even after twelve years she still had hope.

Now imagine this scenario; she sat at her window to listen to people talking. That was the only way she was informed of current events, in fact it was the only time she felt connected with people. And these people talked about a man called Jesus. They said He healed the sick, raised the dead and performed the most awesome miracle and He was passing by the road by her house that day. The moment the testimony of Jesus’ deeds entered her ears, like the parable of the sower, the testimony lands on very fertile soil, the soil in the heart of a very desperate woman. This Jesus she had to see. In the past she’d never been able to make it beyond the door, being weak and all but strength from nowhere rose in her. She quickly changed into the only clean clothes she had left to hide her condition and blend in with everyone else.


Her heart pounded. She knew she had to make a move but the law forbade women from touching a rabbi/priest, least of all an unclean one. If the men knew she was unclean perhaps she would be stoned to death. But then she was dying anyway. She knew in the depths of her heart that if she could just touch him, just that one touch would make all the difference. Buoyed by her strengthening faith, she leaped with all her strength into the crowd and tried to gain up but Jesus walked too quickly and only his garment flowed behind Him. She strained as hard as she could as she stretched and caught hold of his helm of his garment.

Boom! A powerful force zipped through her and in that moment, the bible says ‘the fountain of her blood was dried up’. She knew in that instant that life had come back and she was made whole.

Interestingly, many people touched Jesus that day; in fact many rubbed shoulders with Him, probably stepped on His toes but only this woman made a real, concrete connection. She was the only one who did not see Jesus’ presence as mundane; she saw beyond a mere man, she saw with the eyes of faith. Her act of faith was so phenomenal she drew heaven’s attention and stopped Jesus in His tracks. This woman was a show-stopper through her courage, tenacity and persistent faith. Jesus was in a hurry to go and heal Jairus’ daughter but the woman with the issue of blood stopped Him for a moment and claimed her deliverance.

And when Jesus asked the question: “WHO TOUCHED ME?” He knew virtue had been released from Him. He wasn’t enquiring to punish the woman, He wanted to know and commend the person who took that step of faith. He respected her actions and told her Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” 

And here’s one admirable thing she did. When Jesus wanted to know who touched him, she owned up to her deeds even though she was trembling. She didn’t run away or try to pretend, she come forward and volunteered the information and that honesty sealed the deal. Halleluyah!



(c)Histiara

26 comments:

  1. It must have been a terrible situation. When we find ourselves in dire situations, we go to any length to get rid of it. It still boils down to Faith Faith Faith

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  2. Yes, Ilola, faith rulzes. :-)

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  3. Hmmm, Nice take on this woman that still holds a firm fascination for us after so many years. You have inspired me o!

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  4. Thanks RemiRoy. I'm pleased the story inspired you as it did me.

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  5. "But then she was dying anyway"....

    My mum always said the most dangerous people are those that believe they have nothing else left to loose and its the same way with faith, getting to the end of the line makes you feel like, all i've got to go on is this one last kick at faith....Her faith is what gets at me the most...by now, one would think she would have given up on being cleansed but she persisted and it paid off

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  6. '...she persisted and it paid off.' That was the key jhazmyn. Not giving up even in the face of odds. Profound comment.

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  7. This is one bible story that always leaves me amazed at how we could be right there in the presence of God and still miss it....I love the faith and persistence of the woman but its the crowd that always leaves me speechless.....how many of us just go to church 'just like that sha' not really expecting anything really? Its Sunday now, what else? Sing, raise our hands, feel 'spooky' and then go home. How many us of really go to church expectant? wanting to see God's face? How many of us are just there like that mob? Rubbing shoulders with deity yet not having any encounter......Nice one Maid of HEART! Lol!

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  8. How many of us '...sing, raise our hands, feel SPOOKY and then go home with NOTHING.?' That is a thought provoking question. Thanks for highlighting that DNW.

    Lol at Maid of HEART. You got it right this time. :-)

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  9. @Maid of Heart: Yes, I concentrated very well when I was typing your name. Lol!

    But true my dia, we must go to church with a mision mindset, expecting to hear 'our word' from God so we can stand on it no matter what we see. Ha! I refuse to go to church to 'look at the bridge'. If people are being blessed and renewed I must be one of them. I must 'touch' the hem of his garment.

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  10. This woman was one determined woman, an inspiration to me definitely.

    I have a post on my divine healing. I had this vaginal discharge that left me ashamed for years, personally ashamed and then from 2007-2009, it was publicly ashamed because i reeked (tear)...
    I'll find the link and repost it.
    I went for this meeting and one of the minister prophesied about me and i was sure it was me, i did not put up my hand but God came through for me and today i don't smell.
    I always believed in divine healing but i just felt some things were too difficult, i mean, he'll heal a headache but maybe not other things.
    NOW i am convinced that God can heal as much as you can imagine or as much as you can agree with me.

    I am not sure what i did exactly but i know i never stopped confessing the word despite my shame.

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  11. My lesson

    ...don't quench your hope...

    God is good and willing to do us good. He was just waiting for me to take my eyes off everyone else and put it on Him.
    Now everyday i pray i am like the minister who had the courage to be the man God was waiting for who would speak His will into being...

    I speak into the spirit realm no matter how crazy it seems because i know God hears His word.

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  12. @DNW, Lol at I refuse to go to church and 'look at the bridge'.

    A lot of people see the church as a place of entertainment rather than a place of reconnection, rejoicing, refreshing and replenishing. And I'm with you on the last statement, I must touch the helm of His garment.

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  13. Tisha, that was a wonderful testimony. You know the interesting thing is there's a scripture verse that says, and I'm using the Amplified version for clarity: "(Not in your own strength) for it is God Who is all the while [a]effectually at work in you [energizing and creating in you the power and desire], both to will and to work for His good pleasure and satisfaction and [b]delight. Phil 2:3

    And 2 John 1:2 says "Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in every way and [that your body] may keep well, even as [I know] your soul keeps well and prospers."

    In other words, it is ALWAYS God's desire that we be in good health and prosper in other ways BUT it is His prerogative HOW and WHEN He does it.

    I sincerely believe seeing a doctor never negates one's faith or trust in God. There's a place and time for everything.

    I really am glad you stood your ground and never stopped confessing the word. It is so vital in our faith walk. And I really love what you said about speaking into the spirit realm. Wow! That's where the words take form and calls the manifestation. Great insight, Tisha.

    Please, I'd like to visit with your blog and read the testimony you mentioned above. Thanks. :-)

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  14. " She knew in the depths of her heart that if she could just touch him, just that one touch would make all the difference."

    How very bold of her. We never think of how it was a taboo for her to touch a rabbi in her time, but she just knew...she knew that it would change her life forever.

    What this ministered to me is that we must consider the decisions we have to make in a moment, and we must touch the hem of His garment when we know it's going to change our lives forever...no matter what the obstacles are.

    All of the posts of this blog, like this one, have touched me in a way I can't describe. Looking forward to writing about Deborah (she's been in my head for quite a while now, just haven't sat down to write about her).

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  15. I love Jhazmyn's comment about people who have nothing to lose.

    I've also heard this: "Nothing can stop a man whose time is now."

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  16. Jaycee, Deborah's calling ya... :-) Yay! Can't wait to read yours.

    You're right when you said '...we must consider the decisions we have to make in a moment.' No time to have second thoughts. If she had delayed touching Jesus, she would have missed that lifetime opportunity. Wow, that's another thing I didn't deeply consider. Thanks Jaycee.

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  17. @Tisha: Awesome testimony! I felt you so much cos I have been there, done that and bought the tshirt. I tell you, it is just awful but I thank God for he is indeed our Papa-Healer. You know I was so sure I was the only woman in the land dealing with this. I mean how could they all be smiling?! Life sha!

    You know what I learnt from the experience? The power of Holy COmmunion. There is nothing you can tell me that will make me believe it is ordinary. The woman got healed by touching the hem of his 'clot'. How can I remain sick in my body when I am taking into it the flesh and blood of Christ himself! And the day I got that teaching I stood on it. It was not magic but like you said I held on and I got my healing. Praise God!

    @Maid of Heart: Yes oh, Church is not a social gathering but we can do with more geniune warmth and love though.....so that if someone sat next to us, they would get a tiny experience of what it would be like to sit next to Christ...I try but people are so 'wary' and suspicious of this freaky woman smiling at me too much and holding my hand too tight during grace! Lol! But I continue to try....(sigh)

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  18. Lol, lol. DNW, you really crack me up. I know just what you mean about the fellowship thing. I guess church is full of all sorts and people who've had bad experiences tend to be wary of a show of warmth no matter how genuine. It's sad, I know.

    I totally agree with what you said about the power of Holy Communion. It is an awesome mystery.

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  19. Living life without faith is like living like animal. I love to see and hear of people of faith

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  20. Interesting comment, Chris. Thanks for stopping by.

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  21. No matter how terrible the situation is or how busy life gets, Jesus is still available for us, we just need to have faith

    Thanks dear

    But I need your views on my latest blog, wasnt her faith enough?
    Mena
    http://efemenaoreoluwa.blogspot.com/2011/04/this-is-true-story-about-two-friends.html

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  22. 'We just need to have faith' That's it! Spot on, Mena. Thanks for the comment.

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  23. I love that she owned up after Jesus asked 'who touched me'? She had gotten her healing and had no idea why He was asking but still stepped out in faith and honesty and that sealed the blessing, like the leper who came back to thank Jesus.

    Sometimes, testifying of God's goodness or taking a bold move that men may not understand is what makes God's hand rest completely on us.

    This was beautiful, God bless you for sharing

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  24. 'Taking a bold move that men may not understand is what makes God's hand rest completely on us' I love the comment. Thanks. Dosh.

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  25. I always loved the story about the woman with the issue of blood, she really inspires me:)

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  26. I absolutely agree with DNW, there are some of us who have grown too "accustomed" with God's presence that we have no expectations and miss it.

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