Mark 5:25-28, 34 (NIV) - “And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering.He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

For twelve years she had been ceremonially unclean, unable to worship in the temple, to some degree a social outcast, but not to the extent of those with serious skin diseases. She had heard of the power of Jesus and was among those who placed great hope in just touching Jesus and being healed (Mark 6:56). Imagine her joy as she reached out and touched His garment and experienced the healing for which she had prayed and hoped for twelve years! Jesus, sensing that “power had gone out of Him” asked the question, “Who touched My clothes?” With fear and trembling, the woman brought her admission to Him and then heard His gracious words, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” I’ve often wondered what it was that Jesus felt when the woman touched Him. I suspect that it wasn’t the loss of power in whatever effected the healing but the loss in being touched by her uncleanness. I like to think of Him as absorbing her sickness and uncleanness, for it seems to me that’s what is meant when we say that He took the sins of the world upon Himself. To touch Him is to be relieved of one’s sins and to be restored to wholeness.  [Briscoe, Stuart. The Preacher's Commentary Series, Volumes 1-35: Genesis - Revelation: Genesis - Revelation (Kindle Locations 18495-18503). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.]

This woman was tenderly restored to a whole life. Jesus called her daughter. He declares peace and healing from her afflictions not only physically but spiritually. She is known by God. Once we also lived a life apart from His presence, afflicted by our sins but in Christ, we can live in peace. How can we not worship and love Him? Spend time worshipping the Lord today.

Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTV_oEJ5-Gw

- DP