Text: Mark 5:21-43

We are going to meet this woman that knew her only hope was Jesus, the Lord.

I. The woman’s condition. Mark 5:25,26
A. What help did she have?

1. Her natural resistance to disease could not overcome the hemorrhaging.
2. Her physicians could not help her.
3. Her condition separated her from the people around her and from worship in the Temple. (compassion and sympathy)

Leviticus 15:19 And if a woman have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even.

B. What hope did she have?

1. She was not healed on her own.
2. When she turned to the physicians, they could not help.
a. She suffered with her disease and with their cures.
b. She used all her money to find a cure, but none was to be found.
1. She continually grew worse. All they could do was to treat the symptoms, but the cause continued and the symptoms grew worse.
This is a portrait of sin. People try to treat the symptoms but they cannot treat the cause. Only God has the cure. Life is full of broken resolutions, promises to change, despair and discouragement.

II. The Lord’s care. Mark 5:27-29

A. He had an open testimony.
1. Others had come to Him for help.
2. He was on His way to help a family even at this time.
3. He was approachable –

Matthew 11:28-30 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Hebrews 4:14-16 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need

B. He encourages others in faith. Mark 5:28

C.He blesses beyond measure. Mark 5:29

1. His power is astounding and is simple, operating at His will.
2. She did not just receive relief from her discomfort, she was healed!

III. The Lord’s question. Mark 5:30-34 He stopped to inquire.

A. Jesus knew the woman had come to Him in faith and now would she confess what she had done? A public profession is very important! Do not be ashamed

Romans 10:10-11 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

B. Jesus was one of the two that knew what touch He was speaking about.

1. There was no doubt that He was being touched the whole way.
2. Here He was touched in faith. A sad fact that so many come in contact, but without faith. Mere people among the crowd, onlookers –

Hebrews 4:2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it

C. Jesus met the woman face to face. Mark 5:32,33
Her fear is awesome. Joy of healing and fear of rebuke. What mixed feeling she must have had.
1. Jesus was on His way to visit a dying girl.
2. The woman’s touch would make Him unclean until evening.
3. She may have been trying to be careful to just touch the hem of His garment and not defile Him. Possibly no one would notice.
4. She did not realize that God wants us to come to Him as we are, in faith, and He will make us whole.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

D. Jesus blessed the woman for her public testimony. Mark 5:34

We should learn these lessons from this woman –

She did not let her position stop her – Jesus was with a ruler of a synagogue. Would he stop to help her? He is no respecter of persons!
She did not let her condition stop her – she would bear the pain to get to Jesus.
She did not let her natural concern and cynicism stop her – she had heard what the Lord would do.
She did not let the crowds stop her – she would get through the press, the crowds thronging Jesus.

How easy it is to stop us from seeking to be with Him. She is a good example for us.