The Woman
12 Years a Slave to Suffering...Free at Last!
Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” - Mark 5:34
How did the woman experience Jesus' powerful touch?
Surprise! It wasn't Jesus who touched her; she touched him! In verse 28 we're told that she thought to herself "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." When she does, a few powerful things happen. First, her bleeding stopped immediately. Second, she felt in her body that she had been freed from her suffering (this evidently is something more than simply having a symptom taken away). Third, Jesus realized that power had gone out of him. Turns out his power is not just conjured up and delivered with his hands, but it's wired throughout his entire being. He is healing power!
Jesus' healing power freed the woman from her suffering. Freed from suffering - it's kind of an interesting way to describe healing, going beyond the removal of pain to emphasize deliverance (or salvation) from an oppressive force. Jesus' powerful touch is like a powerful weapon used in a holy war against the forces that oppress us physically. His powerful touch breaks chains, even those too strong for us to dismantle on our own.
Who is she?
She is unnamed, described as "a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years" (5:25). We're not told her age, but the fact that she has suffered from one medical condition for twelve years gives the impression that she's well into her adult years. What is this bleeding condition? Bible scholars believe it refers to a menstrual hemorrhage of some kind. That it is menstrual bleeding is significant: according to the Torah, a menstruating woman - and anyone who touched her - would be banished from the community until a rite of purification. This banishment was strictly enforced in relation to attendance at the temple. The fact that the menstrual bleeding was a constant long-suffering condition for this woman meant that she was stuck in a life of separation from relationships and the worshiping community. The fact that no one was supposed to touch her is not insignificant for this story of Jesus' powerful touch.
As difficult as it would be for any woman going through this suffering, the text pours on more difficulty - adds "insult to injury." She had been to many doctors, but not only did she not get better, she got worse under their care. And the doctors did not come cheap - she had exhausted all her money on health care and had nothing to show for it. She was suffering in three dimensions: she was sick with a long-term debilitating illness, she was culturally excluded because of this illness, and she was extremely poor having spent all she had on doctors to no avail.
What does the story look like through the woman's eyes?
It started with her ears. She had heard about Jesus, presumably about his healing ability. Without having met Jesus previously, a thought filled with faith entered her mind: "I know that if I just touch his clothes, I'll be healed." That's confidence in Jesus' power!
What she heard about Jesus literally en-couraged her. It gave her courage, boldness, to come up to him and touch his cloak, hoping to experience what she believed would happen when she came in contact with Jesus' power. Naturally, the only option for this lowly, ostracized woman was a stealthy approach from behind in a crowded place.
It's remarkable to learn that "immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering" (5:29). Her sense of relief was in turn interrupted by hearing Jesus' words ring out "Who just touched me?" Imagine the fear of discovery by the crowd, who would be freaked out to be so close to her, afraid of becoming unclean. And what about the fear of being discovered by Jesus...what if he didn't want the power to go out of him, and was ready to dole out powerful consequences to such a disrespectful woman.
The text tells us that when she emerged from the crowd and fell at his feet, she was trembling with fear. She told him the whole truth - what her condition was, her confidence in Jesus' power, and how she reached out to touch him, then did and felt the suffering leave her body. Instead of a reprimand of judgment, Jesus said something amazing to her.
Here's what she heard Jesus say: "Daughter, your faith has healed you." Daughter? How long had it been since someone had spoken to her with such endearment? Was he speaking to the little girl within her ... much like he would speak to the little girl he raised from the dead a few moments later? The one who had been isolated from others was now welcomed into a familial relationship with this most powerful savior.
What began as a seeking after Jesus' power for healing, ended up being the beginning of a conversation, a relationship that would change her life forever.
Connection Questions
Have you ever suffered from something for a long time? Have you known someone who has had to endure long-term suffering? What makes it so difficult? What type of relief do you long for?
Have you ever had to act boldly and stick up for yourself? In life today, what cultural barriers might there be between sufferers and Jesus that might have to be blasted through with bold faith?
Have you experienced Jesus' powerful touch freeing you from something, such as a disease, an addiction, or a particular fear? How do you describe the before/after difference it has made in your life?
Why do you think Jesus insists on finding this woman and engaging her in conversation? Why do you think Jesus calls her "daughter?" What do Jesus' actions tell us about the relationship between his saving power and a personal relationship with the one doing the saving?
Conclusion
Jesus healed a suffering woman with his powerful touch. It happened because bold belief was born in a place beyond the social barriers. The healing happened, but it wasn't complete until there was a relationship. The ostracizing was over!
Daughter, Son -- Live in this conversational relationship with your powerful...and accessible...Savior.