PCC Scroll: Women of the Bible - Woman with the Issue of Blood

Name: Woman with an issue of blood

Scripture: Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48

Her Sorrow: She suffered from a medical condition for twelve years.

Her Joy: Through her faith in Jesus, she was healed.

In this issue, we are highlighting a woman whose name is not given. Many of us commonly refer to her as the woman with an issue of blood. We find her story in the synoptic gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke.

In a way, in the complete story, Jesus brings two women back from death. Jesus was on His way to the home of Jairus, whose 12-year-old daughter was dead, when the woman with an issue of blood was healed. Although the woman with an issue of blood was not technically dead, her existence was one of seclusion and pain.

We know that she suffered for twelve years. During those twelve years, her life was anything but normal. Ritually, she was unclean, and she spent her time and resources seeking a cure for her illness. The Bible says her problems did not grow better; they grew worse. She followed Jesus through the crowd. She touched His hem. She was made whole.

By law, this woman should not have been among people. Under the laws of ritual purity, she should have been at home. However, her situation was desperate. Technically, anything she touched would have been made unclean and would have needed to go through a cleansing ritual. Yet, she dared to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment.

Jesus called her daughter, and He told her that her faith had made her whole. Jesus honored her faith, and He will honor yours. This woman, this outcast, desperately sought out Jesus, and she was rewarded for her faith.

Her story reminds us of several things. No matter what the report says, Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. When we are truly suffering and desperate, customs, traditions, and protocols will be thrown out the window.

When no one sees or understands you, know that Jesus sees you, and He has compassion towards you. No matter what the circumstance, Jesus is still approachable. You are His daughter, and He wants you to be healed in all areas of your life. By His Stripes, you are healed.