You Are a Living Sacrifice

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And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction." -- Mark 5:34 (NKJV)

Maybe you remember the story of a "certain woman with a flow of blood for 12 years"? Her story, explained in Mark 5:25-34, shows me something different each time I read it. Take a moment and read the verses:

Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better but rather grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well." Immediately, the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction. And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?" But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You and You say, "Who touched Me?" And He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction."

Imagine her life in that culture, where women did not enjoy full citizenship rights and were treated like property, as "less than" men. I am sure that she wondered if she would ever regain her health, and maybe have a life? Fall in love, or get married?

Scripture does not tell us how or why this malady started. But I believe we can examine the story in layers: not just the physical health aspect, but also her mental health, emotional health, and her spiritual health.

The Book of Mark states that this woman had a "flow of blood for 12 years." Just thinking about her practical needs, she had no corner drug store or Walmart nearby for sanitary supplies. No washing machine or dryer in the house. It is also likely that she needed someone to go to a community well for water on her behalf. She had to stay home, away from the public. Isolated, maybe even ostracized.

In Old Testament culture, women were considered unclean during their menstrual cycle. Ritual purity laws prohibited menstruating women from engaging in various activities, even going to the temple to worship. Menstruation resulted in temporary impurity according to Leviticus 15:19-24 (NKJV): "If a woman has a discharge and the discharge from her body is blood, she shall be set apart seven days, and whoever touches her shall be unclean until evening." It seems that the intent of ritual purity was to maintain sanitary practices while also giving women rest and privacy.

But 12 solid years, not just once a month? Scripture also states that she "suffered many things from physicians." I can imagine -- poking, prodding, strange potions and elixirs, weird rituals. Nothing helped her physical condition, and she suffered. Spent all her money too, without healing, and she actually got worse. Maybe she was anemic.

Perhaps you can relate?

Scripture does not tell us about her family. Was there a husband, probably not. What about kids, grandma, female cousins? If so, it seems that they abandoned her. So mentally, she was alone with her own thoughts 24/7. But I believe that she had tremendous tenacity, stamina, and persistence. Maybe she kept a diary or a journal, or made scratch marks on a stone, marking the days when she felt strong, while resting on the days when the isolation felt like too much. But she did not give up!

Somehow, she heard about Jesus and His healings. Maybe the kind friend who brought water from the well told her about Jesus. I believe that story she heard about Jesus gave her incredible hope, renewed joy, and fresh enthusiasm to regain her health. Emotionally, she felt that intense heart's desire for healing. Risking public exposure, she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."

Somehow, she found and followed Jesus in the crowd. She pushed through to get close enough to touch His clothes. What an example of amazing faith for us today! I am reminded of Romans 4:17 (NKJV): "In the presence of Him whom he believed --God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did." The spiritual layer of her story teaches us that our faith matters, in all things, at all times, and in all ways.

Jesus gave us His faith. He told us in Matthew 17:20 (NKJV): "If you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you." Faith as small as a mustard seed can reap huge blessings!

We do not know her name, only that she had an issue of blood for 12 years. She took important steps to move forward toward healing. She had tenacity of purpose. She held on to her hope and joy. And her humble yet powerful faith pulled His Holy Power to her.

Jesus wants us to walk with Him according to His Word. In faith and in health.

Questions for Reflection:

1. How has walking with Jesus restored an aspect of your life?

2. What Biblical truth(s) stand out to you from this story?

3. Are you, or someone you know, currently experiencing a long-term health issue? Can this woman's story bring a new light of hope and healing to your situation?

4. What does it mean to be a Living Sacrifice and Holy Temple?