Greetings in the Name of Jesus,

     In this week's devotional we will continue to look at Mark

5:21-35. Last week we focused on Jesus and Jarius, the ruler of

the Synagogue. He was well respected in his community, an honored

citizen. This week we will focus on the sick woman. She was an

outcast and despised as one cursed of God.

     Her story is one that has been repeated in every generation

and is as applicable today as it was 2000 years ago.

     If the woman's condition started at the onset of puberty,

she would have been in her middle to late twenty's, however

chronic bleeding can occur at any age. I know of a woman who

suffered from chronic bleeding like this, and I can testify that

it leaves the sufferer embarrassed, weak, anaemic, tired, barren,

and subject to infection.

     The Law of Moses declares that a woman's menstrual blood

makes her ceremonially unclean. (see Lev15:19-31) 

     In the case of this woman, it would have excluded her not

only from synagogue and the temple, but in addition, no one would

want to be in her company for fear of becoming unclean as a

result of contact with her. She would have become an outcast. She

had sought the help of doctors, for twelve years and had spent

all she had, but only grew worse. What a miserable and hopeless

situation.

     When news of Jesus' arrival came to her, she probably tried

to hide her identity by wearing her best clothing, and carefully

arranging her veil to be certain her face was completely covered. 



     "If no one recognizes me, I can work my way through the

crowd, but what shall I do when I come to him?" "He is a Man of

God, He will know that I am unclean!" "He would never defile

himself by laying on his hands and healing me."

     "But wait, I have heard it said that the mere touch of his

cloak can heal!" "When the crowd presses against him, I will

reach out and touch his cloak." "He will never even know that I

touched Him." " Oh God, have mercy on me!"



     Everything went just as she had expected, and when she

reached out and touched Jesus' cloak, she felt the healing power

of God wash away her infirmity. Then as she fell back into the

crowd filled with joy, something happened that she hadn't

expected, Jesus stopped and asked "who touched me." 

     Suddenly her joy gave way to fear, "What will happen if I am

discovered?" "I am unclean, I have defiled the people around me!"

HE KNOWS IT WAS ME! HE KNOWS!!"



     She fell at Jesus feet sobbing telling her story, and of her

healing. 

     The crowd recognized her, and grew silent, "She has defiled

Him! What will he do?"

     I picture Jesus smiling, and stooping down, helping her to

her feet, and sending her away with a blessing.



     "But wait", - "He called me Daughter!"



     The first sermon I ever preached was on this story for it is

my story. Twenty years ago I was an outcast with a sick mind and

heart. I had traveled across the whole country in search of peace

and healing and had no where else to go. I heard of Jesus love

and of His power to heal and I tried to sneak up to him unnoticed

and steal salvation. But he healed me, saved me, and blessed me,

and yes he called me "son."

     This story is repeated in every generation. Perhaps you need

to seek Him out again and feel his healing. Take the time right

now to fall down before him and tell him everything. see 1Pe5:6,7



                                   love in Christ



                                   Greg Spencer