Dear Church,

In yesterday’s message, we paused at a powerful moment in the story of the woman who had suffered for twelve years. After touching Jesus’ garment and being healed, she tried to remain hidden in the crowd. But Jesus stopped and asked, “Who touched me?”

Mark tells us: “But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before him and told him the whole truth.” (Mark 5:33)

At first glance, it might seem as if Jesus was exposing her publicly or embarrassing her. But that was not His purpose at all. Jesus called her forward for several beautiful reasons.

First, He wanted her to know with certainty that she was healed. She had already felt healing in her body, but doubts could have crept in later. By speaking directly to her and saying, “Go in peace and be healed of your affliction,” Jesus gave her assurance that her healing was real and complete.

Second, He wanted others to know she was healed. Her condition had made her ceremonially unclean and socially isolated for years. If she had quietly walked away, people might have doubted her claim of healing. By bringing her forward, Jesus publicly restored her dignity and place in the community.

Third, He wanted her to know the source of her healing. It was not a magical touch of His garment. Jesus said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well.” Her healing came through faith in Him.

Fourth, He wanted her to know she had not stolen a blessing. She may have thought she took something secretly. But Jesus made it clear that she had not stolen anything; she had received grace through faith.

Fifth, her story encouraged someone else. Remember the stopwatch. Jairus was standing there, waiting anxiously for Jesus to come to his dying daughter. Seeing this woman’s faith and healing strengthened his own faith in that tense moment.

Finally, Jesus wanted to bless her personally. He called her “Daughter.” This is the only time in the Gospels that Jesus addresses someone this way. In that single word, He gave her a new identity, no longer “unclean,” but a beloved child. Jesus calls us out of hiding not to shame us, but to restore us, reassure us, and remind us that we belong to Him, yes, His children! And the invitation remains the same for us today: Bring Him the whole truth. Like Adam, some of us are hiding in (His) plain light.

Be Encouraged,
Mathews