This story is recorded in the books of Matthew 9: 20-22; Mark 5: 25-34 and Luke 8: 43-48 where a woman who had had a flow of blood for twelve years and could not be healed pulled through a multitude to touch the fringe of Jesus’ garments and had instant healing. Why did it take so long for the woman to be healed?
Jewish mythology of twelve
Jacob had 12 Sons, Genesis 35: 22. Out of the sons of Jacob came the twelve tribes of Israel, Genesis 49: 28. The spies for Canaan were twelve, Joshua 4: 9. Jesus was dedicated in the temple at the age of 12 years, Luke 2: 42. Jesus had 12 disciples, Matthew 10: 1. In Jewish culture, one becomes responsible to God upon attaining the majority age of 12 years. The woman’s hemorrhage for twelve years thus represented the maturity state of her affliction or illness. However Jesus restored her healing.
Hemorrhage for twelve years shows the woman may have suffered physical, mental, emotional and psychological injuries especially oblivious of the unknown future. No matter the stage of our challenges, Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, come to me, all who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 1 Peter 5: 7 also says cast all your anxieties on him (Jesus) for he cares about you. Jesus said in Luke 8: 50 fear not; only believe. No matter how long we may have suffered in illness or any situation, Jesus is ready to allow his healing power to restore us if we will act in faith and take a bold step to access him.
The woman’s confession
From Mark’s account in Mark 5: 30, Jesus Christ asked who touched his garments? In Mark 5: 31 and Luke 8: 45 the references are, who touched me? It stands to reason that everything about Jesus represents Jesus so every touch of anything about Jesus is a touch of Jesus himself. With this divine knowledge or revelation, the woman with hemorrhage confessed that she did touch Jesus. Jesus then said to her confession, your faith has made you well, Matthew 9: 22.
Mark 5: 34 records Jesus saying, daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease. In Luke 8: 47 – 48 the woman confessed trembling, and falling down before Jesus, declared in the presence of all the people why he had touched Jesus and how she had been immediately healed. Jesus responded, daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace. Any contact with Jesus is accompanied by healing and peace. Not all cures are accompanied with peace except the healing from Jesus Christ. Jesus said in John 14:27, peace I leave you; my peace I give you; not as the world gives do I give to you. 2 Thessalonians 2: 13 says God chose you from the beginning to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.
We must walk with Jesus in the truthfulness of our innermost heart. Truth opens the doors to God’s favour in mercy, grace and love whilst confession of the truth is a step towards righteousness. The woman fulfilled the requirements for restoration unto righteousness so she received instant restoration from Jesus Christ. Are we ready to fulfill all righteousness in order to receive the attention of the Master Jesus Christ? She won Jesus’ approval with her honest and open or public confession. She was not ashamed to confess in public what she had done in secret or how she perceived Jesus Christ.
We cannot accept Jesus in secret or confess to Jesus without public knowledge of our relationship with him. God is glorified through Christ Jesus with our open confession of Christ Jesus as Lord. Jesus said in Mark 8: 38; Luke 9: 26 for whoever is ashamed of me and my words, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. The woman knew what she wanted and who could satisfy that need so she was forthright. What about us?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, we have reached the end of human wisdom concerning our situation. We confess openly that you are Lord of all and the Saviour of the world and of our souls. Let our contact and relationship with you restore our testimony and in gratitude, we shall walk in righteousness and holiness all the days of our lives as you continue to wash us in your precious blood, Amen!!
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