21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. 22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23 And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
30 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? 31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. (Mark 5:21-34 KJV)
Jesus Heals the Woman with the issue of blood
The Gadarenes, having asked Christ to leave their country, he didn’t stay long to trouble them, but immediately went by boat, as he came, back to the other side (Mark 5:21), and there a large crowd gathered around him. Note, if some reject Christ, others receive him and welcome him. A despised gospel will cross the water and go where it will be better received.
Among the many who came to him, here is one who comes openly to ask for healing for a sick child. It is no less a person than one of the rulers of the synagogue—someone who presided over synagogue worship or, as some think, one of the judges of the local court, which in each city had twenty-three members. He’s not named in Matthew, but here he is—Jairus, or Jair.
He approached Christ with great humility and reverence; when he saw him, he fell at his feet, honoring him as someone greater than he appeared to be. With great urgency, he pleaded earnestly, as someone who not only valued the mercy he sought but knew he could find it nowhere else. He had a little daughter, about twelve years old, the darling of the family, and she was dying. He believed that if Christ would just come and lay hands on her, she would recover, even from the edge of death. He first said, “She is dying” (Mark), but later, when he received an update, he said, “She is now dead” (Matthew), yet he still kept asking (Luke 8:42-49). Christ readily agreed and went with him (Mark 5:24).
Here is another who comes secretly to receive healing for herself, and she got the relief she sought. This healing happened along the way as Jesus was going to raise the ruler’s daughter, followed by a crowd. See how Christ made use of his time and didn’t waste any of it. Many of his teachings and some of his miracles happened along the roadside; we should do good not only when we’re at home, but when we’re on the move (Deuteronomy 6:7).
This woman, who has been bleeding for 12 years, came to Jesus secretly. Now observe the desperate condition of this poor woman. She had been bleeding for twelve years, which no doubt left her weak, ruined the joy of her life, and threatened to kill her. She had gotten the best medical help she could and followed all their treatments. As long as she could pay, they gave her hope, but after she spent all her money, they gave up on her. See:
- A person will give anything for life and health—she spent all she had on doctors.
- It’s tragic when the doctors are part of the problem, when someone suffers more from the treatment than the disease.
- People not helped by medicine usually get worse.
- Often, people don’t turn to Christ until they’ve tried everything else and found it useless. And still, he’ll be a sure refuge even for those who make him their last hope.
Observe the strong faith she had in Christ’s power to heal; she said to herself, though we don’t know that she had seen or heard of a similar case, “If I just touch his clothes, I’ll be healed” (Mark 5:28). She believed he healed, not just as a prophet using power from God, but as the Son of God, with power in himself. Her condition made it hard to speak of publicly, so she wanted a private healing, and her faith matched her situation.
Observe the amazing result of that faith—she came in the crowd behind him, managed to touch his garment, and immediately felt that she was healed (Mark 5:29). The bleeding stopped, and she felt completely well, instantly. This proves the healing was miraculous because those who are cured naturally recover slowly, not all at once. But when God works, he does so perfectly. Note, those whom Christ heals from sin—the bleeding wound of the soul—experience a complete transformation.
Observe Christ’s search for his hidden patient and the encouragement he gave her when she revealed herself. Jesus knew that power had gone out from him (Mark 5:30). He didn’t feel weak, but rather energized and pleased to do good. Wanting to see who had been healed, he asked, not angrily, but kindly, “Who touched my clothes?” His disciples, somewhat disrespectfully, questioned the point of the question (Mark 5:31); “The crowd is pressing in on you, and you ask who touched you?” Christ ignored the remark and looked around to find her, not to scold her for taking without asking, but to praise and encourage her faith, and to publicly confirm her healing. He didn’t need to be told—he already had his eye on her.
Note, secret sins and secret faith are all known to Jesus. If believers draw power from Christ in private, he knows and is pleased. The woman came forward (Mark 5:33), trembling, not knowing how he would respond.
Note, Christ’s patients often tremble when they have reason to rejoice. She could have come boldly, knowing what had happened, but still she feared. It was a surprise, not yet the comforting kind. Still, she fell before him.
Note, there’s nothing better for the fearful and trembling than to fall at Jesus’ feet—to humble themselves and entrust themselves to him. She told him the whole truth.
Note, we shouldn’t be ashamed to share what has happened between Christ and our souls, but should be willing, when the time comes, to speak of what he’s done for us, to his glory and to encourage others. The fact that nothing is hidden from Christ should motivate us to confess everything to him.
See what a comforting word he gave her (Mark 5:34): “Daughter, your faith has made you well.” Note, Christ honors faith, because faith honors Christ. And what is done by faith on earth is affirmed in heaven. Christ said, “Be healed of your disease.” Also note, if our faith says “Amen” to God’s power and promise—“So it is, and so let it be to me”—then God’s grace will say “Amen” to our faith—“So be it, and so it will be, for you.” And so, “Go in peace; be assured that your healing is real, complete, and yours to enjoy.”