Finding Rest for Your Soul

Thank you so much for coming back to learn more about how Jesus treated women in this Women Encountering Jesus Bible Study Lesson Series. This is the third (and final) week we will study Jesus’ interaction with the woman who had bled for 12 years. Last week we saw that when it comes to our salvation, Jesus really did do it all. He was and still is our mediator, our sacrificial goat (lamb), and our scapegoat. This week we will take a more personal look at the power of Jesus’ touch in this woman’s life and what that means for us today. So, grab that coffee and sink in for a few moments of quiet time with God. I pray that you will leave this study refreshed and encouraged!

Women Encountering Jesus Bible Study Lesson: Finding Rest for Your Soul

 

Women Encountering Jesus Bible Study Lessons: The Power of Jesus’ Touch Part III

30 At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?” 31 “You see the people crowding against you,” his disciples answered, “and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’32 But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. 33 Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” ~ Mark 5: 30-34 (New International Version)

She Stole A Miracle!

As soon as this woman, who had been bleeding for 12 years, touched Jesus’ robe, she was healed immediately. Why would Jesus care? Why would Jesus even notice? The disciples very astutely pointed out that many people were likely touching Jesus. It was crowded! Jesus was being swarmed!

So, why would Jesus care? Why would Jesus go out of his way to highlight this woman’s action? To call her out? I mean, this woman had wanted to remain anonymous, right? She didn’t want to call attention to herself. Maybe she just wanted to deal quietly with her issues and not bother anyone, much less the son of God.

But Jesus didn’t let her remain anonymous. It is an interesting question about the motivations of Jesus because at the time this woman reached out for Jesus’ healing touch, Jesus and his disciples were moving expeditiously through the crowd in order to heal the daughter of a local official named Jairus.

Jesus really didn’t have the time to stop for this woman.

But he took the time to stop.

Jesus didn’t really need to stop for this woman. After all, the healing had already taken place.

But he stopped anyway.

Taking the Shame of Sin Away

Can you imagine how this woman must have felt? For 12 long years she had been compelled to avoid people. Surely everyone knew who she was… all the more reason to remain in the background. She was ashamed of her condition. Can you relate?

Why are we so reticent to talk about how we have overcome sin?

Are we ashamed?

Are we afraid?

Absolutely! I don’t know about you, but I am, and forever will be, ashamed at the sinful actions and decisions I have made in my life. However, once we receive the gift of salvation– once we are healed, sin no longer can be master over us. So, why not provide testimonial to others so they can see the evidence of God’s work in our lives?

Women Encountering Jesus Bible Study Lesson Rest for Your Soul

All Jesus Wants… is You!

There is another encouraging aspect to Jesus’ interaction with this woman. Jesus didn’t want her to hide.

When Jesus stopped and asked who touched him, he wasn’t seeking information.

Nope, Jesus was seeking her. Jesus was seeking this woman.

Jesus asked… for her.

Jesus waited… for her.

Let that sink in for a moment and allow me to rephrase this point in a personal way.

Jesus asks… for you.

Jesus waits… for you.

Jesus gives us a choice in how deep our relationship with him will be… but he wants a relationship. This woman mattered to Jesus. This insignificant, weak, defiled woman mattered to Jesus. Don’t you know that you matter to Jesus too!

Who Matters to Jesus?

Think about it for a minute. In this situation, Jesus was asked to fulfill two legitimate needs.

  • The 12 year old daughter of Jairus
  • The woman who had bled for 12 years

*Note: Don’t you think it is interesting that this woman had been bleeding for as long as Jairus’ daughter had been alive?

Who would you pick? If you were Jesus, which need would you choose? Where would you go first?

I think Jesus’ actions speak volumes for how much he cares for everyone who follows him– not just the smart, wealthy, powerful, etc…

Jairus:

  • the elected leader of the local synagogue
  • a man
  • had power and influence
  • He is clearly showing faith/taking a risk to seek out Jesus
  • He is the very picture of cleanliness and holiness

VS.

This woman:

  • we don’t even know her name
  • she isn’t even allowed in the synagogue
  • a woman
  • no power, no influence
  • showing faith, but trying to hide her actions
  • she is the very picture of filth and uncleanliness

Not only did Jesus stop for this woman, but he highlighted her predicament. If you read on, you find out that Jesus did go on to heal Jairus’ daughter. Both women were healed on the same day, probably within the same hour. However, Jesus instructed the girl’s parents not to tell anyone he had healed her. Why would he do that? Why would he make a public spectacle of this woman’s shame and keep a joyous triumph a secret?

Maybe Jesus wanted to showcase how her faith illustrated the awesome power of His grace.

Jesus didn’t expose this woman’s shame in as much as he showcased her faith! Jesus wanted everyone to see this woman’s faith.

What does this mean for us?

Do you feel outcast? Jesus has claimed you as a child of God.

Are you exhausted from fighting a battle? Is your heart tired? Are you afflicted by a physical ailment? A broken heart? A broken relationship?

Are you suffering from chronic bleeding of the heart? Well, I have some fantastic news for you! There is power in Jesus’ Touch! Reach out to Jesus and he will cleanse you. Reach out to Jesus and he will heal you. Reach out to Jesus and he will save you. Jesus’ touch is quite literally our salvation.

But you don’t have to take it from me. I think Jesus pretty much says it all:

28“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” ~Matthew 11:28-30 (New International Version)

Reach out to Jesus, let the power of his touch cleanse you, heal you from sin… and find rest for you soul.

Thank you so much for reading. I hope this week’s lesson has both comforted and uplifted you.
Sara

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

3 Comments

  1. You have the best and blessed way with words, Cassandra Martin had this same gift. Thank you Sara for your love and gift of sharing God’s word. May they be shining messages to those in need.