Mark 5 verses 21 – 34
Here in Mark’s gospel we find that tremendous little account of a woman who had been plagued with an awful illness for 12 years. On this particular day she makes her way down onto the main street of the town she lived in. She realised there was a procession going through the town which she knew nothing about. What lay in store for her was something marvellous. It all began in the house of a man where there was sickness. Jairus was the man. He was the ruler of the synagogue, he led the services there, conducted the prayers. One morning he got up and his little daughter was at the very point of death. Perhaps the doctor had been there through the night. One thing was sure – nothing was going to help that young girl. It would turn into a tragedy in one home but lead to a blessing in another. Sometimes God allows things to come across our pathway, allows us to go through perhaps tragedy to bring blessing to others. There is one question that springs to mind – verse 55 Jesus said “who touched my clothes?” To be saved costs everything. If that man wants to follow me he must deny himself take up his cross and then follow me. Think of the man with all the riches in the world. He couldn’t give them up when Jesus asked him to. Maybe God has been putting a finger on your heart and you haven’t come to Christ yet. God tells you that a certain thing has to be dealt with. That is when the light goes out. The rich young man couldn’t give all he had to follow Jesus. He turned his back on the Lord and walked away. This woman came and she was earnest. She was challenged in her fears. Maybe you are afraid to step out and take that step. Imagine this woman as she reached through and touched Jesus’ clothes. She was breaking the law that moment she touched Jesus. She made him ceremonially unclean but not Jesus because he was sinless and spotless. The devil will follow us, hold us, keep us back, hold us in our sin. The moment we step under the blood of the Lord Jesus you will follow those fears until you come to the one who will capture your fears for you. This woman was coming to the one who the religious leaders had turned people away from the synagogue for believing in him. You can imagine this woman’s fear. Maybe she was devout and religious. She thought if I do touch the Lord I am made whole.
A question that challenged this woman’s fears. The fears that this woman had were very great, very real because the complaint she suffered from restricted her movement not in physical realm but spiritual realm. She was ceremonially unclean. When she walked down the road everyone would get out of her way. Everybody had to move to one side, didn’t want to be associated with her. Everything she came into contact with, touched was unclean. Had to go through ceremony for 7 days. That would be OK for a day or 2 but for her it was 12 years. She was suffering mentally. Every doctors visit she made only made her word. Time and time again it failed. Maybe that would just describe you. Maybe you have tried to live a good life, tried to do the best you can, tried to break away from habits but nothing seems to work. Maybe you have tried and tried and maybe even tried to be saved and that has failed. Why would that fail? It is because you don’t come with an earnestness to seek the Lord with all your heart. When we come to the Lord for his salvation we need to be coming and so dependent on him. Sometimes we find that when you tell people to come to Christ, admit their sin and confess them, then accept the Lord Jesus as Saviour some people will in response turn away. A question that challenged her fears.
A question that brought confession about her feelings. Verse 33 "but the woman fearing and trembling knowing what was in her came and fell down before him and told him all the truth." She steps forth and makes her confession of faith. There is no such thing as back door confession. This woman had touched the Lord’s clothes, that moment she realised in her own body she was healed Jesus asked who touched me she had to admit it. The Bible tells us they all denied it. Not one was ready to speak out. She did it too. She then realised she had to confess what happened in her body. At that moment great glory was brought to the Lord. Remember Zacchaeus climbed the tree. A wealthy man, a rich man, prominence and power and probably hated too. He was sitting up in the tree – he didn’t want anyone to see him. Remember the man with the withered hand in the synagogue. The Lord called him forth and every eye was upon him that day. Maybe you are a secret disciple. There is a cost in coming to Christ. Think of Moses as he came down from the mountain and he heard a great noise in the camp of Israel. It was not the noise of worship or praise. People who had turned their backs on God of heaven. Moses said immediately “who is on the Lord’s side.” Can imagine the scene that day – a man stepping out from the back and confessing what sins he had committed. This woman exercised faith that day by owning up to what she had down. She confirmed her faith that day by one action. Not the size of this woman’s faith but rather the one she put her faith in. We have got to put our faith and trust in the finished work of Calvary. It means Christ first in your life.
A question concerning her future. Jesus said "who touched me?" This woman takes her stand – verse 34 “daughter thy faith hath made thee whole go in peace and be whole.” This was not a short term fix but something to last for a life-time. God offers you something that will stand for eternity. When you close your eyes in death God offers you something that will take you across the divide and take you into the presence of Christ. Only Jesus Christ can do that and he calls you to step forward tonight. Maybe you are looking away to Christ, long to be saved. God calls you to step forth. He made this woman own up. Will you own up to God’s salvation? Will you receive something from his hand that will stand for time and for eternity? God wants to save you , he wants to do a work in your heart and cleanse you. This woman was set you on her feet and she went back into her community and he can do the same for you too.
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