A Woman's Faith Pleased Jesus

By Mary Vee
Mark 5

From A Woman's Journal 

On the Sea of Galilee facing the shore where
this story takes place.
Photo by Mary Vee

My name is not given in the Writing, and so I won't leave it here. Just know that I am a woman who had heard Jesus the Healer had returned to the shore of my city.

I desperately wanted to see Him. Touch His clothes. If only I could reach His garment through the crowd, I am sure I could be healed. 

For twelve years I have suffered from a blood disease. I am weak. I've been to every doctor in our area. Followed their medical directions no matter how painful or miserable it made me feel and felt no relief. The treatments and doctor costs have depleted all my money, and my symptoms have grown worse. I don't know what else to do.

I stood by the shore with the large crowd and watched Jesus' boat dock. He climbed out and barely took a step on the shore before Jairus, one of the synagogue rulers, broke through the line of people and fell at Jesus' feet. 

He begged Jesus to go to his house and heal his daughter. Jesus agreed. They turned, walking away from the shore. The crowd went with them. They pressed so close to Jesus, I thought I wouldn't be able to even touch his garment.

Even in my weakened state, I wouldn't allow this moment to pass. I squeezed through the tightly packed men and women, determined to just reach my fingertip close enough to touch the fabric of his garment. 

Suddenly, the moment came. I stretched my arm between two people and touched his robe. 

I stopped.

Letting the people walk past me.

A weird and wonderful sensation came over me, one that I had not felt for a long time. I didn't hurt. I felt no pain. I was healed!

Jesus stopped walking. The crowd did as well. 

He turned around and looked at the crowd and said, "Who touched my clothes?"

His disciples looked confused. "Master," they said. "You see the people crowding against you. Why are you asking, 'Who touched me?'"

Jesus craned his neck, looking at the faces in the crowd. 

I knew I had to confess. Maybe I did something wrong. I ran to Him feeling so guilty and fell at his feet. My body trembled because I was afraid. I told him the whole story about my illness and how I waited for Him to return. I wept. "I thought, if I touched your garment, it would be all I needed to make me well."

He took my arms and helped me stand. "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

I hardly knew what to say. After all these years of pain, Jesus came to my city and He healed me. 

 Come back to read the next story.

*Author of blog's note: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.


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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.