Mark 5:25-35 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse. She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well.” And immediately the flow of blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. And Jesus, perceiving in himself that power had gone out from him, immediately turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my garments?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing around you, and yet you say, ‘Who touched me?’” And he looked around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling and fell down before him and told him the whole truth. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
Do you not believe I knew who had touched my robe? I knew, but the crowd and my disciples did not. Only the woman seeking my healing and I knew. I asked so that she would speak up and admit that she had touched my robe. Her faith and trust – that by merely touching my garment she would be healed – was important for others to see. Her faith and trust were an example. And my healing of her without focusing on her was an example. Both needed to be seen by the people. Were they moved? Not for long, as immediately after when told the religious leader’s child had died, they did not believe I could do anything to help. So little faith, even when I am right in front of them doing miracles. (2022)
Amanuensis 