by Karin Syren, CTACC
For she said, ‘If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.’
And straightforward the fountain of her blood dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.
Mark 5:28, 29 KJV
In Matthew 14, Peter had faith to step out of the boat, but his faith failed him as he shifted his focus onto the circumstances. In Matthew 17, Jesus rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith to cast out a demon. He blamed it on their unbelief, not on a lack of available power. In Mark 4, once again Jesus rebuked His disciples for their lack of faith, this time to calm the storm. The power was available — but they were not making connection.
In Mark 5, we are shown the difference made in the presence of sustained and focused faith. The woman with a twelve year issue of blood, which may likely have been endometriosis, set her faith on healing. She was convinced, without a doubt, that all she needed to do was touch the healing fringe at the hem of Jesus’ garment. She not only set her mind, I shall be made well, (Mark 5:28) but she set her focus as well. Sustaining her focus made it possible for her to step out and act on her faith. (James 1:22) She risked everything by venturing out into the crowd while in a condition considered to be ceremonially unclean.