Mark 5:21-43

“Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages 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. 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 clothes, I will be made well." Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.” - Mark 5:25-29 (NRSV)

Have you ever watched someone who had an incurable or puzzling (to the doctors) disease? They frequently go from one doctor to another hoping and praying they will get some relief from their ailment. One doctor says the problem is psychosomatic, another that it is this disease or that. Every one of them has an opinion and may provide some symptomatic relief but never really addresses the underlying problem or illness. Eventually, the ill person gets frustrated and gives up or they find a doctor who through good fortune and God’s blessing stumbles upon the cure.

The woman with the hemorrhage reminds me of these folks. She too spent years and probably all her livelihood attempting to find a cure for a debilitating illness, all to no avail. Then she encountered Jesus and everything changed. She encounters a great man of God and feels sure that by just touching the hem of his garment she can be healed. And she is!

We too have a similar opportunity for healing in our lives. Jesus of Nazareth, the Messiah, the only begotten son of God came into the world to heal each and every one of us! And the cost of that healing is very much more than many of us are willing to pay. The cost is faith and belief.

That faith and belief are not casual things. Our belief must be as certain as our belief that the sun will rise tomorrow and barring disease or accident, we will continue to draw breath. It is a belief that is founded and backed by something more reliable that any monetary standard the world has ever known, the Word of God. And that type of belief is what cured the woman and will cure us of many of the ills we face each day. May the words of Christ echo in our ears; “Child your faith has made you well; go in peace.”