Pushing through the crowd
Mark 5:25-29(AMP) A woman [in the crowd] had [suffered from] a haemorrhage for twelve years, and had endured much [suffering] at the hands of many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was not helped at all, but instead had become worse. She had heard [reports] about Jesus, and she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His outer robe. For she thought, “If I just touch His clothing, I will get well.” Immediately her flow of blood was dried up; and she felt in her body [and knew without any doubt] that she was healed of her suffering.From this passage, a few things stand out for me.1. This woman pushed through the crowd. She was uncleaned and was not allowed to appear in the crowd or touch anyone, as per the law of the time. She did not allow her circumstance to keep her back. She pushed through the crowd. She overcame the facts, her fear, her past failures. She was determined. 2 Chronicles 20:17(AMP) You need not fight in this battle; take your positions, stand and witness the salvation of the LORD who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.” 2. This woman was desperate. She tried everything and lost everything. She needed a healer. Psalms 31:14-15(TPT) I’m desperate, Lord! I throw myself upon you, for you alone are my God! My life, my every moment, my destiny—it’s all in your hands. So I know you can deliver me from those who persecute me relentlessly.3. She had heard about Jesus. She believed what she had heard about him. Hebrews 11:6(AMP) But without faith it is impossible to [walk with God and] please Him, for whoever comes [near] to God must [necessarily] believe that God exists and that He rewards those who [earnestly and diligently] seek Him.4. For she thought: If I just touch His clothing, I will get well. Proverbs 4:23(NCV) Be careful what you think because your thoughts run your life. 1 Peter 1:13(ESV) Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.5. She took a step of faith; she actioned her faith. She touched the robe of Jesus. James 2:14-18(MSG) Dear friends, do you think you’ll get anywhere in this if you learn all the right words but never do anything? Does merely talking about faith indicate that a person really has it? For instance, you come upon an old friend dressed in rags and half-starved and say, “Good morning, friend! Be clothed in Christ! Be filled with the Holy Spirit!” and walk off without providing so much as a coat or a cup of soup—where does that get you? Isn’t it obvious that God-talk without God-acts is outrageous nonsense? I can already hear one of you agreeing by saying, “Sounds good. You take care of the faith department, I’ll handle the works department.” Not so fast. You can no more show me your works apart from your faith than I can show you my faith apart from my works. Faith and works, works and faith, fit together hand in glove.The result – She received her healing! Mark 5:34(AMP) Then He said to her, “Daughter, your faith [your personal trust and confidence in Me] has restored you to health; go in peace and be [permanently] healed from your suffering.”