What is it like to be not well for years and years? I am fortunate that I have always had good health – yes, there have been the occasional flair-ups and surgeries, but overall I don’t suffer from many ailments. But I know people who have had illnesses and conditions that have gone on for decades and even longer. It would have been even worse in the past when the medical breakthroughs we rely had not yet been developed. Jesus met a woman like this.

“Now there was a woman who had been suffering from a flow of blood for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians and had spent all that she had, and she was no better but rather grew worse.” (Mark 5:25-26 NRSVUE)

Our heart goes out to people like this! She had a medical problem for twelve years. She had gone to doctors and ended up spending everything she had – but to no relief. They had not been able to cure her and the fact was that she was now worse than she had been! When people suffer day in and day out for weeks and months – let alone years – they get to the point of frustration and giving up hope.

This woman had heard of a Teacher who could heal. Perhaps he would heal her! So she went to see him.

“She had heard about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, ‘If I but touch his cloak, I will be made well.’ Immediately her flow of blood stopped, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.” (Mark 5:27-29)

She didn’t want to bother him but thought if she could just make physical contact with him that his power could heal her. And it did – finally she had relief! Notice that the healing was immediate and she could feel the difference. When Jesus was looking around to discover who had ‘touched’ him, the woman came forward.

“But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’” (Mark 5:33-34)

The lesson for us is not that we should expect physical healing like the woman – as Jesus is no longer here it wouldn’t be possible for us to touch him and be healed. But there are two promises that Jesus gives to all of us.

The first is that he is with us (Matthew 28:20). When we become a Christian the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us, then through him Jesus also lives in us. So no matter what we happens to us, Jesus is there.

The second is that he came to bring peace (John 14:27; 16:33). When we realise that this world is not all there is and that a better life awaits us in eternity, one with out the pain and suffering that we now endure, this should bring us peace. We can have peace knowing that whatever we go through Jesus understands as he has been through pain and suffering as well.

“Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.” (Hebrews 2:17-18)

Digital AI image by Kar3nt from pixabay.com. Free for use.

Readings for next week: Mark 5-9