Word of the Day: Issue
A matter of public concern; a culminating point leading to a decision.
This lady had been suffering for twelve years from chronic hemorrhaging. She had spent all of her money on physicians, but was not able to get cured and kept getting worse. When she heard that Jesus was in town she decided to join the crowd, and she touched his garment. She believed that she would be healed by just touching His garment.
Matthew 9:20
And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:
Mark 5:25–28
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.
As soon as she touched His garment her affliction was no longer there. The Bible tells us that her fountain of blood was dried up. Once again, she thought "if I can only touch His garment I would be healed". The big crowd made it impossible for her to get to Jesus due to her issue of being unclean. She also felt that she could not have an audience with the "High King".
Mark 5:29
And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
Jesus knew right away that someone had touched His clothes in a special way, and this is why He said: Who touched my clothes? because power had gone out of him, but not depleted. The woman thought Jesus was not going to notice her presence, but He knew, and He wanted her to come forward. The disciples being so incredulous thought "what is He talking about"?, There was a big crowd there so it could have been anyone. Although there was a big crowd there, He noticed the one who had been suffering for years. Jesus was not going to leave. He does not heal us in secret which means that He also wanted to have a relationship with her.
Mark 5:30
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?
Mark 5:31–32
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.
In the Book of Leviticus chapter 15, we find a big list of requirements for a person who had a blood issue. This lady had to be separated but was still able to live at her house. She was not forced out to the wilderness due to her illness, but she was considered to be an unclean person.
Leviticus 15:25–33
25 And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean.
26 Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her separation.
27 And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.
28 But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean.
29 And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
30 And the priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make an atonement for her before the Lord for the issue of her uncleanness.
31 Thus shall ye separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness; that they die not in their uncleanness, when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.
32 This is the law of him that hath an issue, and of him whose seed goeth from him, and is defiled therewith;
33 And of her that is sick of her flowers, and of him that hath an issue, of the man, and of the woman, and of him that lieth with her that is unclean.
The lady came forward and confessed that she was the one who touched His garment. This was a public confession not only in front of Jesus but also in front of a multitude of people. She must have been praying on her way to meet Him, and He acknowledges her in public. Jesus not only healed her but also restored her life. Now she was able to go back into the city and live a normal life. The touching of the garment healed her affliction but by coming forward to confess what she had done the Lord gave her salvation and because of her faith, He called her Daughter.
Mark 5:33–34
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.
Matthew 6:6
…thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
Conclusion: A touch of faith could never be hidden from the Lord, in the midst of our physical burdens we should always remember that Jesus is the Greatest Physician. Where male failed Christ succeeded. Jesus not only died to heal our bodies but also secured a place for us in Heaven.
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