How does her action connect with other biblical examples of faith? Setting the Moment in Mark 5:27 “When she heard about Jesus, she came up through the crowd behind Him and touched His cloak.” Hearing That Ignites Faith • Faith starts with revelation. “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17) • She parallels: – Rahab, who “heard” of the LORD’s mighty acts (Joshua 2:10) and staked her life on them. – The widow of Zarephath, who believed Elijah’s word before the flour and oil multiplied (1 Kings 17:13-16). Pressing Through Every Barrier • Twelve years of uncleanness (Leviticus 15:25-27) meant social and religious isolation—yet she pushes into a dense crowd. • Similar perseverance: – Four friends removing a roof to lower the paralytic (Mark 2:4). – Blind Bartimaeus shouting over the crowd (Mark 10:48). – Zacchaeus climbing a tree when stature and public scorn blocked him (Luke 19:3-4). Each story shows faith refusing to let obstacles dictate the outcome. Reaching for the “Wings” of His Garment • She touches the fringe (tzitzit) of Jesus’ cloak. Malachi 4:2 promised, “the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.” The Hebrew word for “wings” also means garment corners—she literally grasped that promise. • Echoes: – Crowds later “begged Him to let them just touch the fringe of His cloak, and all who touched Him were healed.” (Mark 6:56) – Naaman dipping seven times in the Jordan (2 Kings 5:14) took God at His word through a simple, physical act. – The bronze serpent lifted up; a look of trust brought life (Numbers 21:8-9; John 3:14-15). Action coupled to trust releases God’s power. Faith That Draws Divine Power • “Immediately her bleeding stopped, and she sensed in her body that she was healed of her affliction.” (Mark 5:29) • Comparable moments: – The centurion’s servant healed “from that very hour” (Matthew 8:13) because the officer believed Jesus’ spoken authority. – The woman who anointed Jesus (Luke 7:38-50) received forgiveness as she acted in surrendered love. – Abraham “considered Him faithful who had promised” (Hebrews 11:11) and saw a son born beyond human possibility. A Thread Woven Through Scripture 1. Hearing God’s revelation. 2. Believing His character and promise. 3. Acting despite visible barriers. 4. Experiencing God’s saving power. From Genesis to the Gospels, that four-fold rhythm hums under every story of faith. The woman in Mark 5 joins Abraham, Rahab, Naaman, the centurion, and countless others who illustrate the same pattern: when a person moves from hearing to trust-filled action, God invariably proves Himself faithful. |
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