Do you know the story of the woman with the issue of blood? Let me share it with you…
Luke 8:40-44
40 Now when Jesus came back (to Galilee) the crowd received and welcomed Him gladly, for they were all waiting and looking for Him.
41 and there came a man named Jairus, who had (for a long time) been a director of the synagogue; and falling at the feet of Jesus, he begged Him to come to his house,
42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age and she was dying. As Jesus went the people pressed together around Him.
43 and a woman who had suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years and had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed by anyone,
44 came up behind Him and touched fringe of His garment, and immediately her flow of blood ceased.
OUTCAST
So, understand that this woman was cast out of society. Women were “sent away” when they bled. They were considered unclean. So they were sent to a place outside of the city where they would stay until they stopped bleeding. This woman bled for twelve years straight. She had her period for twelve years! She tried everything to get help, she spent every penny she had to try to find healing. Nothing helped! So, she was cut off from society. Her only interaction was with the women who would come to this place outside of the city when they bled. So I would imagine she kind of became the “Mom” figure there.
I’m going to make some assumptions, just humor me. She had her girlfriends and probably looked forward to seeing them. I mean, really, I’ve joked about needing to reinstate this. For a week I get to go hang out with my girlfriends, sleep in, take naps, do my toes, read. And NO one is there to bug me! What??? Yeah, let’s do this. But for real, I would imagine that this whole set up became comfortable for her. Over time, it was all she knew. Everything else was unknown. The world outside her doors was probably a scary place. Especially because in that society, if she left while she was bleeding she could be put to death for exposing herself to others while she was unclean. I think it’s pretty safe to say that she was afraid to leave, on many different levels.
BUT, WHAT IF
Look at verse 8. It says the whole town knew He was coming and they were waiting for and looking for Him. I’m sure women came to her and told her that Jesus was coming to town. She knew. She had heard that he could heal. And she began to prepare herself to go to Him. This would not be easy. She would have to put aside her fear…her fear of what people would say, fear of the unknown, fear of the unfamiliar, fear of death. And what about the fear of failure? What if it didn’t work? Then she’d have to return to her lonely life of exile. If she even made it out alive…What if?
IF I COULD JUST GET CLOSE ENOUGH
As the day drew near she continued to tell herself that if she could just get close enough to touch him, she would be healed. I’m sure she woke up that day with many doubts running through her mind. I’m sure she had plenty of reasons why she shouldn’t go. But she cast them aside and with reckless abandon she risked it all.
She walked outside, in the light of day, for all to see. She must have had tunnel vision. She couldn’t possibly look around for fear someone would make eye contact and show their disapproval. She must have run, full force, toward Jesus before anyone else could reach her.
Now look at verses 41 and 42.
41 and there came a man named Jairus, who had (for a long time) been a director of the synagogue; and falling at the feet of Jesus, he begged Him to come to his house,
42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age and she was dying. As Jesus went the people pressed together around Him.
As she was heading toward him she heard this man approach him about his young daughter who was dying. I’m sure she thought, “I shouldn’t bother Him now, this young girl is far more deserving than I, she’s young and has a whole life ahead of her. I’m old, washed up, I have nothing to live for.” Listen, this is the lie the enemy wants to tell us. You, at your age, and your stage of life, are valuable. God has a plan and a purpose for your life, right here, right now. Whether you are 18 or 81, He has a plan for you. Cast off the lies in your head and press toward Christ. She did…
Verse 44 says that “she came up behind him and touched the fringe of His garment, and immediately her flow of blood ceased.”
He didn’t even know she was there! He didn’t look at her, he didn’t touch her! She touched His clothes! And she was healed! Immediately!
Now look at this…
45 “Who touched Me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter[a] said, “Master, the crowds are hemming You in and pressing against You.”[b]
46 “Someone did touch Me,” said Jesus. “I know that power has gone out from Me.” 47 When the woman saw that she was discovered,[c] she came trembling and fell down before Him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched Him and how she was instantly cured.
Can you imagine what was going through her mind at this moment? She must have been petrified! I’m sure she was thinking, “This is it! They’re going to kill me! I’ll be stoned in front of the town.” But what was His response?
48 “Daughter,”He said to her, “your faith has made you well.[d] Go in peace.”
He called her daughter! He established a family connection with her, not just family, but He took the role of father – to love, protect, and nurture her. Then He told her that her faith had made her whole. He supported and empowered her and set her free!!!!
But what if she didn’t go? What if she didn’t face her fear? What if?
SO, WHAT ARE YOU AFRAID OF
What are you afraid of today? What has He called you to do? Are you hiding outside of the city? Are you comfortable in the lonely place? The dark place? Do you feel you are too young, too old, too washed up to be used by God? Do you think it’s too late for God’s plan for your life? It’s not. Maybe you’ve been “bleeding” for twelve years from a wound so deep it has engulfed your entire life. It’s not too late for you. He’s out there. He is filled with power to heal your wounds, to stop the bleeding. Are you looking for Him? Expecting Him? Do you see Him there? Step out of the place you have been hiding and run after Him. Even if you don’t see how you could possibly get close enough, press through the crowd. Let go of the fear. He’s waiting to say to you, “Child, your faith has set you free. Go in peace.”
