And now, the rest of the story for our unnamed woman with the issue of blood. (See “Another Unclean One” from last week.) Oh, how I want to give her a name. I might just do that in the next book!

We left her as she touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and felt that wonderful sensation of healing all through her body. We can only imagine how that felt. But there is more to this event. Jesus did not just move on to his next intended project. He treated this interruption with the dignity it deserved. He also scared the woman half out of her wits. He wouldn’t let it go. As Mark puts it:

But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. Mark 5:32-33

I have a notion that as Jesus scanned the crowd, those discerning eyes fell upon her and she knew her secret was no more. She had no choice but to spill the beans and tell all. Embarrassed or not, the whole truth came pouring out of her. Luke tells it this way:

Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Luke 8:47

Why didn’t Jesus move on and leave this good deed alone, let her go her way restored, and get on with the task ahead? I believe He wanted to acknowledge her act of faith and give her the opportunity to share it. No longer would she have to hide in the shadows. Perhaps it was important for the people to have an opportunity to hear it as well. Interruption or not, this was an important happening—the culmination of a twelve-year struggle. No small thing. She had been physically healed of a debilitating condition and would soon know the healing of a devastating social stigma. Good news needs to be shared!

The Greek word for “healed” actually means “saved.” She would find that she is not only physically healed, but also spiritually saved (“go in peace.”) Jesus uses a tender, endearing term that is not used in any other recorded Scripture.

[Jesus] said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” Mark 5:34

The King James translation adds the phrase, “Daughter, be of good comfort…” Hmm, comfort indeed. Affirmation? Yes.  A soothing calm flowing over her? Absolutely!

It’s that kind of cleansing we feel when we have been totally honest with God—poured out our frustrations, our anger, our confusion, or our deep thanksgiving or praise to Him. His spirit washes over us in waves of pure water reaching down to our core.

This woman was more than an interruption. She was a real human being with great need physically and spiritually and she found her answers through faith in the Son of God. May we, too, come trembling and fall at his feet to confess the whole truth.

~ Joyce ~

On a housekeeping note, I notice that several people are coming to my website to read my blog. If you would like to have the blog delivered straight to your email each Thursday, you can subscribe at the bottom of any page on my website. Just put in your email address, hit “subscribe,” and you’re in! Thanks for reading either way.