COMMENTARY ON MARK


LESSON NUMBER 54


JAIRUS AND HIS DAUGHTER, #2


THE WOMAN WITH THE ISSUE OF BLOOD, #1

 Mark 5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched His garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.” (Mk 5:25-29; Matt 9:20-21; Lk 8:43)




INTRODUCTION

               The ministry of Jesus on earth was an introduction to “the kingdom of God” – its reality, power, and objectives. In Jesus, God was preparing men to be transformed, obtaining the nature God, and entering into His work. Jesus did not come to make men better at what they do, but to involve them in what He is doing. Just as Jesus enabled men and women to recover from the debilitating effects of sickness and disease, so He enables them to recover from sin and transgression, cleansing them of contamination, and strengthening them within. While this transformation had been prophesied in part, all that it entailed had not yet been perceived. Moses spoke of God circumcising the hearts of the people (Deut 30:6). Ezekiel spoke of men receiving a new heart and a new spirit (Ezek 36:26). David, because of his spiritual sensitivity, saw the need for newness. Therefore he prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psa 51:10). Yet, very, very little was understood of a thorough change of this sort. In fact, there are precious few people in our time who perceive this, even though we are living in the time when it is being fully implemented. Instead of men taking advantage of “the day of salvation,” they often theorize about human conduct, offering explanations for moral deficiencies, and mapping out some temporary remedy for the various inadequacies of “the flesh.” Such miserable teachers and leaders are like the physicians of our text, that take from the people, but make them no better. You will not find such inadequacies in the ministry of Jesus. When He made people whole, they were “whole,” with no evidence of the infirmity from which they were healed. In doing this, our Lord was introducing His “great salvation.”


ON THE WAY TO JAIRUS’ HOUSE

                Mk 5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse”


               Here is one of the very few instances when the attention of Jesus appeared to be drawn away from the one He was committed to help. Jairus had informed Jesus of the deteriorating condition of his “little daughter,” who was at the point of death. Without saying a word, Jesus arose and went with him. Now, on the way, a seeming delay will occur while Jesus deals with another person. In this incident we will be taught about being patient, not making haste, continuing to have faith, and not viewing our own condition as being of primary importance. In our spiritual lives, these lessons are of great significance. Life must not be approached as though we were the main people, or our circumstances and desires are the principal ones.


               PROTRACTED INFIRMITY. Mark and Luke say the woman “had an issue of blood twelve years” (Mk 5:25; Lk 8:43). Matthew says, “she was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years” (Matt 9:20). We would call “an issue of blood” a “hemorrhage.” NASB Other versions refer to this as a “flow of blood,” NKJV “a flux of blood,” DARBY “a discharge of blood,” ESV “subject to bleeding,” NIB and “chronic bleeding.” ISV


               This was a diseased condition – a sort of quirk of nature. It was not the result of an injury, but of the introduction of some defiling condition that caused the body to react abnormally – an ordinary condition that became extraordinary.


               This type of infirmity was mentioned in the ceremonial law, and certain guidelines were to attend its presence (Lev 15:25-31). This flow of blood was associated with the woman’s menstrual cycle, when that flow of blood continued “beyond the time” normally experienced (Lev 15:25a). During the entire time, the woman was ceremonially “unclean,” any bed or chair she occupied were unclean, and whoever touched any of those things became unclean, (Lev 15:25b-27). After the flow stopped, she was unclean for seven additional days (Lev 15:28). On the eighth day following the cessation of the flow, she was to bring two turtle doves or young pigeons and bring them to the priest at the door of the tabernacle (Lev 15:29). The priest was then to offer one bird for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, “to make an atonement for her before the Lord for the issue of her uncleanness” (Lev 15:30).


               At the time of our text, therefore, this woman was technically “unclean” – it was the time of her “separation,” when she was not allowed among the rest of the people (Lev 15:25-26). According to the Law, she should not have ventured out among the people. However, this is an occasion that is governed by grace, not by law. It teaches us that grace triumphs over circumstance, and is superior to the Law WITHOUT any Divine qualities being compromised.


               MISERABLE PHYSICIANS. This poor woman had “suffered many things of many physicians and had spent all that she had.” Luke informs us she “had spent all her living upon physicians” (Lk 8:43). Her failure to improve was not owing to any lack of effort. She did not remain the same because she failed to look for help. She had sought for help from sundry specialists in the varied diseases of humanity.


               We are not to interpret this as a condemnation of all physicians. Jesus Himself said, the sick had “need of a physician” (Matt 9:12). He would not have said this if the occupation of a physician was unlawful. The sick, for example, never have need of a “sorcerer,” like Simon, who gave the impression “that himself was some great one” (Acts 8:9). Additionally, one of the chief men used by God was a physician – “Luke, the beloved physician” (Col 4:14). Rather than abandoning his physician-skills, the language suggests that he may have helped Paul with them. The point of this text is that there are circumstances that extend beyond the ability and knowledge of a physician. There are no such circumstances with Jesus.


               NOTHING BETTERED. In spite of the variety of physicians, and the resources spent on them, there was no improvement in the condition of the woman. Her flow of blood continued without interruption for twelve years.


               GROWING WORSE. The condition of this woman was not a static one, remaining the same. Rather, her condition “grew worse.” Her status continued to dissipate and deteriorate, being in a constant state of decline.


               THE PARALLEL. There is a remarkably precise parallel between this woman’s condition and that of humanity. There is a moral and spiritual condition that is growing worse within men. A number of “physicians” have sought to correct the disorder. The psychiatrists have tried, as well as the sociologists, governments, legislators, educators, and others . The false church has entered the arena also, marketing its wares, professing to have the answer to the human dilemma. But none of them have been able to resolve the condition. For those outside of Christ, things are growing worse. They will continue to do so until people make an association of the Lord Jesus Christ with the resolution of human deficiency.


FAITH COMES BY HEARING

                27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched His garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but His clothes, I shall be whole.”


               SHE HEARD OF JESUS. Giving the most thorough record of this account, Mark tells us the woman ”had heard of Jesus.” Other versions read she “heard about Jesus,” NKJV “heard the reports about Jesus,” RSV and “heard all about the wonderful miracles Jesus did.” LIVING The things concerning Jesus that are known by us were not known at that time. How much He “loved the world” was not fully known. His origin and mission had not been clarified as they have been since He has been exalted. It was not a finely tuned theology that was being reported, although that would surely be formed, especially through Paul. What she heard was what Jesus was doing then – perhaps some of the gracious words that He was saying. They probably were more in the nature of testimonials from those who had witnessed the working of the Lord, or perhaps a personal word from someone upon whom Jesus had mercy.


               There probably were other kinds of views of Jesus that were being carried from place to place. Some had said of Him, “He has a demon and is insane” NASB (John 10:20). Others said, “We know that God spake unto Moses: as for this fellow, we know not from whence he is” (John 9:29). Certain scribes said of Jesus, “This man blasphemeth” (Matt 9:3). However, these are not the reports that this woman chose to believe. She listened to, and embraced, the true reports. As a result, she received faith, for “faith cometh by hearing” Rom 10:17).


               OBSERVATION. As the “pillar and ground of the truth” (1 Tim 3:15), it is the church’s responsibility to deliver an accurate report of the Lord Jesus Christ – one that is free from the taint of flesh and the contaminant of worldly wisdom. Men cannot “obtain like precious faith” by believing a lie, distortion, or misrepresentation of the Savior.


               CAME IN THE PRESS BEHIND. She came “behind Him in the crowd,” NKJV coming “up behind Him in the throng.” AMPLIFIED Although she was “unclean,” she made her way to Jesus, doing so in the least obvious way. Also, her condition gave her no advantage in coming to Jesus. She could not come running to Jesus, like the multitude that met Him when He was coming down from the mount of transfiguration (Mk 9:15), or the rich young ruler who ran to Jesus to inquire concerning the obtaining of eternal life (Mk 10:17).


               From one point of view, she was shrinking back in humility, coming “behind” Jesus. From yet another point of view, she was boldly coming – drawing near to find mercy, and grace to help in the time of need (Heb 4:16). There are precious few souls who have had to work their way through a crowd to reach Jesus – but that is precisely what this woman had to do. She had to work her way past curiosity seekers, the casually interested, and those who were merely going along with the crowd.


               Make no mistake about this, heaven was working in this circumstance! God was drawing the woman to Jesus, giving her just enough strength to make it a step at a time. She was being strengthened within and without to push through a mass of people to get the blessing.


               TOUCHED HIS GARMENT. “She touched His garment.” Matthew says she “touched the hem of His garment” (Matt 9:20). Luke says she touched “the border of His garment” (Lk 8:44). This was the lower part of Jesus’ clothing – near His feet, where the woman saw that she must be. How long it took this suffering woman to get to Jesus, we do not know. However, it is apparent that she is among those who “fainted not” in her quest for the blessing of the Lord (Lk 18:1). She was among those noble souls of whom it was prophesied, they “shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint” (Isa 40:31)


               THE REASONING OF FAITH. Those who approach to Jesus are invariably thinking people. Raw emotion cannot draw you to Christ! This woman reasoned, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” NKJV Matthew says, “touch His garment” (Matt 9:21). What is the source of such a thought? No known prophet had declared such a thing. John the Baptist did not present Jesus in such a manner. There are some who would chide anyone for thinking such a things, saying there was no precedent for imagining that touching Christ’s clothes would yield such a singular benefit. Some have suggested the woman thought there were some healing properties in the Lord’s clothing. I rather think this view demeans the faith of the woman. The results of her action, as well as Jesus’ specific words to her, confirm that is was faith in Him, not in His clothes, that was her focus.


               This woman associated the Person of Christ with what was around Him, and not vice versa. She reasoned from the unseen to the seen – which is the peculiar property of faith. She was persuaded that His Person was superior, and that it influenced everything about Him, even what He wore. In her heart, she also saw Jesus as being superior to the Law, which would not allow her to take this approach. You can count on true faith to constrain thinking in the proper manner – that is, within the framework of the facts of the matter.


WHEN DEFICIENCY MEETS OMNISCIENCE

                                29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.”


               STRAIGHTWAY. “Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up.” NKJV A condition that had prevailed over this woman for twelve years was instantly corrected. A leper was “immediately” cleansed (Matt 8:3). Two blind men “immediately” received their sight (Matt 20:2 4). The oppressive fever of Peter’s mother-in-law left her “immediately” (Mk 1:31). A palsied man confined to his pallet, “immediately” got up, picked up his bed, and walked (Mk 2:12). It is said of a deaf and dumb man, “And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain” (Mark 7:35). Conditions, however adversarial and powerful they may appear, instantly yield to the Lord of glory.


               We must never deprive people of the hope that if they, in faith, can touch the Lord, there is no such thing as a situation that will not be resolved. If “virtue” ever leaves the Savior and goes to a person, there is no form of bondage or oppression that can dominate us.


               FOUNTAIN OF HER BLOOD. The abnormal flow of blood was cut off at its source: “the fountain of her blood.” The root of the problem was removed. Ordinarily, men deal only with surface issues, for that is all they can see: the symptoms. They have all manner of supposed remedies that can, at the very best, reduce the symptoms, and make for a little comfort – even though the fundamental problem remains. However, this is not the manner in which the Lord Jesus works.


               The effects described under the Law, which made what the woman touched “unclean” (Lev 15:25), were here reversed. Instead of defiling what she touched, what she touched – the hem of Jesus’ garment – cleansed her. Even so, the very condition that moved the Law to condemn us – “the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezek 18:4) – when brought to Jesus in faith, is answered with justification and cleanness of heart.


               In matters pertaining to the soul, men must seek remedies that go deep – to the source of the problem. It is not enough to treat symptoms by counseling, discussions, experiments, and the likes. All problems, whether external or internal, have a root, or source. If men do not deal with that root, there can be no permanent resolution to the problem.


               We ought to note that this is precisely what the Lord addresses in His “great salvation.” He deals with the root of the matter. By nature, the heart of man is “deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jer 17:9). Therefore, salvation provides a “new heart” – removing the “stony heart” and giving a “heart of flesh.” From another point of view, the heart has been covered over a hard shell, and thus the spirit of fallen man is “dead in trespasses and sins” (Eph 2:1). Therefore, the Lord circumcises the heart (Col 2:11), quickening men, raising them from the dead, and giving them a “new spirit” (Ezek 36:26). Adam, because of sin, has been written off. Therefore, in Christ we are made “a new creature,” “created in Christ Jesus” (2 Cor 5:17; Eph 2:10). No religion, regardless of its impressiveness, is valid that does not change the person, dealing with the “fountain” of all sin and uncleanness.


               SHE FELT IN HER BODY. A real work from God brings evidences with it. Here was a woman who had an infirmity in her body. When that infirmity was removed, she “felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.” NKJV The infirmity was unique, and the effects of it were keenly felt. Therefore, the cure and the effects of it were also felt. This was a “feeling” of confidence that stemmed from a consciousness of what had really taken place in her. It ought to be noted that confidence is also the result of the Lord’s working in us. That is why such things as “assurance,” “confidence,” and the “rejoicing of the hope” are found within those who have truly “tasted of the Lord that He is gracious” (Heb 3:14; 6:11; 10:22; 1 Pet 2:3).


               This woman did not have someone shouting in her ear, telling her what had happened. Through the very moment that the fountain of her blood dried up, there had not been a single word passed between her and the Savior. No request had been made by her, like that of Jairus. She had not been called like blind Bartimaeus prior to his healing. She had not been brought in by some friends like the palsied man who was let down through the roof (Mk 2:4). There were only four things that preceded this wondrous miracle, but there were sufficient to move heaven. 1 She heard of Jesus. 2 She worked her way through the press to touch him. 3 She reasoned in herself that if she could touch His clothes, she would be healed. 4 She touched the hem of His garment.


               No person of sound mind would attempt to combine those things into a procedure, and teach men this was the way to be healed of an “issue of blood.” The manner in which she approached the Lord was not the secret, but her faith in Jesus Himself. Under the Law, it was the way in which you went about things that made them acceptable. This was so because “the law is not of faith” (Gal 3:12).


               There are still people who imagine that Divine acceptance is strictly based upon HOW you do what He commanded you to do. Such an approach would have been of no value to this woman, and neither is it of any value to anyone else.