The best form of advertising is still word-of-mouth.
Mark 5:27 – When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.
__________________
The story is so familiar to most Christians. The gist of it is, a woman with an issue of blood touches the hem of Jesus’s garment and is completely healed. However, in this wonderful story of the healing power of Jesus, there were four key elements of the woman’s involvement that made all this possible. Yes, I know, without any doubt, that it was Jesus Who healed her. But without her direct participation at any of the four levels we will discuss, she would not have been the thankful recipient of that healing power.
The first element we will consider is, SHE HEARD. Take another look at our Text for Today. While we don’t know exactly how old she was, we do know that she had already suffered with her malady for twelve years. We know, too, that she had spent all she had paying doctors for useless services, many of which had probably caused her even greater suffering. All this happened BEFORE “she had heard of Jesus.” Up to that point in time, nothing had changed for the better. In fact, it had likely only gotten worse. BUT! I love that word when it applies to victory. Before she heard of Jesus, she had only gotten worse. BUT! The doctors couldn’t help her. BUT! It’s what happened after “BUT” that made all the difference, You see, when the word “but” is inserted into a statement, it implies that all that came before the “but” has little, if any, impact on the outcome. The truly important part of what is being stated come AFTER the “but.”
She was sick for twelve years, placed her care in the hands of doctors for twelve years, spent all she had on doctors for twelve years, suffered under the hands of doctors for twelve years, and only got worse for twelve years …. BUT! Do you see it? it was when she had “heard of Jesus” that things changed. And because things changed, she took different steps. At that point, all the steps she took and all the suffering she endured BEFORE the “but,” meant little to nothing any longer. All this because she “had heard of Jesus.”
We must recognize that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Without faith, you cannot please God. Faith moves mountains, uproots trees, feeds multitudes, turns water to wine, raises the dead, walks on water, and heals “all your diseases.” But notice once again, FAITH COMES BY HEARING. It does not come by praying, seeing, praising, or worshipping. FAITH COMES BY HEARING. And so concludes ELEMENT ONE – SHE HEARD. Faith set the rules of engagement.
Manna for Today – Mark 5:25-34; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:1 & 6; Mark 11:22-24; John 14:12-14; John 15:7
My Second Miler by Dr. Beechard Moorefield 