Today’s scripture: Mark 5:25-34 (ESV-text and audio) (KJV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Cheryl Stonestreet):
Often when this encounter with Jesus is discussed, people talk about how Jesus felt power being taken from him when the woman touched his clothes, and how he could feel that even while walking in such a close crowd. The focus of this story is generally on Jesus.
When I hear this story, I think about the woman. The scriptures tell us she had been suffering hemorrhages for twelve years, she had visited many physicians, she spent all her money trying to get well, and her condition had only gotten worse. Twelve years of bleeding — how horrible for her!
Let me apologize ahead of time for anything I may write that may be deemed as unfit for mixed company, but there is a lot of information about the compassion of Jesus and the strength of this woman’s faith to be gleaned from the details of this story. I also believe we can see how we are to treat others whom our society deems as “untouchable.” I promise to handle this as delicately as possible.
When I went through menopause I got a sample of what this woman must have gone through. On some days, you never feel clean. You don’t want to move around as movement causes more releases, and you certainly do not feel attractive. There is the constant worry of having an accident. It is also physically draining — your iron and protein levels drop below floor level. If it sounds gross, it is. And it feels just as gross as it sounds.
Couple that with the social norms of the day. Women who were bleeding (or menstruating) were not allowed to touch men. It would soil them. It was a punishable offense as the man was now obliged to go to the temple and perform a ritual cleansing bath. So by Jewish standards, this woman had been an untouchable for twelve years. I can only imagine the social and spiritual damage she endured for twelve long years.
Yet she had the faith to try one more thing — touching the hem of Jesus’ cloak. What if someone saw her touching him? Would she be punished for befouling him? Was that why she thought only to touch only his cloak and not his person? In any event, it was a desperate and risky plan. And she got caught. Busted.
In that pressing crowd, Jesus felt her touching him. He felt his power pulled from him. She was immediately healed. He turned to see who it was that sought relief from him, and she threw herself to the ground and cried for mercy. Jesus did not order her to be excommunicated or stoned, as he probably could have. Instead he told her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” Jesus showed her compassion and mercy. She was redeemed from her isolation.
We have “untouchables” all around us. People with HIV/AIDS have been considered such. We shun and veer away from people who are different: people who are obese, the mentally ill or challenged, homeless people; and the list goes on and on.
This story reminds me how to conduct myself as Jesus would when I’m confronted by someone who makes me uncomfortable. It’s a good reminder that we are all God’s children who find grace through faith, no matter how undeserving we may feel. Moreover, it reminds me to have mercy and compassion for others, and to have empathy for their struggles.
Thought for the day: Who do I count as “untouchable” or undesirable? How would Jesus respond to this person?
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.