Faith, Confession, and Healing: A Woman's Miracle

 

Summary

In Mark 5, we encounter a woman who had been suffering from a bleeding condition for twelve years. Despite her efforts to find healing through various physicians, her condition only worsened. However, upon hearing about Jesus, she believed that merely touching His garment would heal her. Her faith, though mixed with superstition, was genuine and led to her healing. Jesus, aware of the power that had gone out from Him, sought to identify who had touched Him. The woman, trembling, confessed her actions and was reassured by Jesus that her faith had made her whole.

This narrative highlights the boundless grace and power of Jesus, who, even while on His way to perform another miracle, healed this woman. It serves as a reminder that Jesus is always ready to heal and bless those who come to Him in faith. The woman's story also teaches us about the importance of confessing our needs and faith openly. Her confession not only affirmed her healing but also glorified God and encouraged others, like Jairus, who needed faith for his own miracle.

The sermon encourages us to approach Jesus with our needs, confessing all our truths, fears, and hopes. It emphasizes that our prayers need not be eloquent but sincere, as God already knows our hearts. Furthermore, it challenges those who have experienced Christ's transformative power to openly profess their faith, as this not only strengthens their own faith but also serves as a testimony to others.

Key Takeaways:

1. Faith Amidst Ignorance: The woman's faith, though imperfect and mixed with superstition, was genuine and led to her healing. This teaches us that even a small, imperfect faith can be powerful when placed in Jesus. Our understanding may be limited, but God honors sincere faith. [08:20]

2. Confession and Healing: The act of confessing our needs and sins to Jesus is crucial. The woman’s confession brought her peace and affirmed her healing. Similarly, when we lay bare our hearts before God, we open ourselves to His healing and grace. [12:57]

3. The Power of Open Profession: Jesus called the woman to publicly acknowledge her healing, which not only confirmed her faith but also glorified God. Our open confession of faith can inspire and strengthen others, serving as a powerful testimony of God’s work in our lives. [34:30]

4. God’s Boundless Grace: Jesus’ ability to heal the woman while on His way to perform another miracle illustrates His limitless grace and power. We are encouraged to approach Him with our needs, trusting in His abundant mercy and love. [02:41]

5. Encouragement for the Timid: Those who are hesitant in their faith are encouraged to take heart. Even if our faith feels small or weak, it is enough to bring us into God’s grace. We are reminded that God does not despise our timid faith but welcomes us with open arms. [09:58]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:13] - The Woman's Condition
- [00:30] - Her Act of Faith
- [00:45] - Jesus' Response
- [01:02] - Confession and Healing
- [01:39] - Jesus' Abundant Grace
- [02:57] - Encouragement to Seek Jesus
- [04:02] - Hidden Miracles
- [05:09] - Secret Faith
- [06:15] - Misunderstanding Jesus
- [07:50] - The Power of Small Faith
- [09:11] - Courage for the Timid
- [10:35] - Confession and Profession
- [12:23] - Telling All to Jesus
- [15:55] - The Importance of Full Confession

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
- Mark 5:25-34: This passage tells the story of the woman with the issue of blood who was healed by Jesus.

#### Observation Questions
1. What was the woman's condition, and how long had she been suffering from it? ([00:13])
2. How did the woman express her faith in Jesus, and what was her reasoning for touching His garment? ([00:30])
3. How did Jesus respond when He realized that power had gone out from Him? ([00:45])
4. What was the woman's reaction after she was healed, and what did she do in front of Jesus? ([01:02])

#### Interpretation Questions
1. What does the woman's faith, despite being mixed with superstition, teach us about the nature of faith in Jesus? ([06:15])
2. How does the act of confessing our needs and sins to Jesus relate to the healing and peace the woman experienced? ([12:57])
3. Why might Jesus have insisted on the woman publicly acknowledging her healing, and what does this reveal about the power of open profession? ([34:30])
4. How does Jesus' ability to heal the woman while on His way to perform another miracle illustrate His boundless grace and power? ([02:41])

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when your faith felt small or imperfect. How did you see God work through that faith? How can you trust God with your current struggles? ([08:20])
2. Are there areas in your life where you need to confess your needs or sins to God? What steps can you take to lay bare your heart before Him this week? ([12:57])
3. Have you experienced a transformation in your life through Christ? How can you openly profess your faith to inspire and encourage others? ([34:30])
4. In what ways can you approach Jesus with your needs, trusting in His abundant mercy and love? How can you remind yourself of His boundless grace daily? ([02:41])
5. If you feel hesitant or timid in your faith, what encouragement can you draw from the woman's story? How can you take a step of faith this week, even if it feels small? ([09:58])
6. Consider someone in your life who might be encouraged by your testimony. How can you share your story of faith with them this week?
7. How can you cultivate a sincere and honest prayer life, focusing on the authenticity of your heart rather than the eloquence of your words? ([11:51])

Devotional

Day 1: Imperfect Faith, Perfect Savior
The story of the woman with the bleeding condition in Mark 5 illustrates that even imperfect faith, when directed towards Jesus, can lead to profound healing. Despite her superstition, the woman's belief in Jesus' power was genuine, and it was this faith that Jesus honored. Her story reminds us that our understanding may be limited, but God values sincere faith. This encourages us to approach Jesus with whatever faith we have, trusting that He can work through our imperfections. [08:20]

"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel your faith is imperfect or mixed with doubt? How can you bring this to Jesus today, trusting in His ability to work through your imperfections?


Day 2: Confession Brings Peace
The act of confession is a powerful step towards healing and peace. The woman in Mark 5, after being healed, openly confessed her actions to Jesus. This confession not only affirmed her healing but also brought her peace. When we lay bare our hearts before God, confessing our needs and sins, we open ourselves to His healing and grace. This narrative encourages us to be honest with God, knowing that He already knows our hearts and desires to bring us peace. [12:57]

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)

Reflection: Is there something you need to confess to God today? How can you create a moment of honesty with Him, trusting that He will meet you with grace and healing?


Day 3: The Strength of Public Faith
Jesus called the woman to publicly acknowledge her healing, which not only confirmed her faith but also glorified God. This act of open profession serves as a powerful testimony to others, encouraging them in their own faith journeys. Our willingness to share our experiences of God's work in our lives can inspire and strengthen those around us. This encourages us to be bold in professing our faith, knowing that it can have a profound impact on others. [34:30]

"Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he has redeemed from trouble." (Psalm 107:2, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent experience where you witnessed God's work in your life. How can you share this story with someone today to encourage their faith?


Day 4: Trusting in God’s Abundant Grace
The narrative of Jesus healing the woman while on His way to perform another miracle illustrates His limitless grace and power. It serves as a reminder that Jesus is always ready to heal and bless those who come to Him in faith. We are encouraged to approach Him with our needs, trusting in His abundant mercy and love. This story reassures us that no request is too small or too large for Jesus, and His grace is always sufficient. [02:41]

"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." (2 Corinthians 9:8, ESV)

Reflection: What need or burden are you carrying today that you can bring to Jesus, trusting in His abundant grace? How can you remind yourself of His sufficiency in your daily life?


Day 5: Courage for the Timid
The story of the woman with the bleeding condition encourages those who are hesitant in their faith to take heart. Even if our faith feels small or weak, it is enough to bring us into God’s grace. The narrative reassures us that God does not despise our timid faith but welcomes us with open arms. This encourages us to approach Jesus with whatever faith we have, knowing that He is compassionate and understanding. [09:58]

"He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young." (Isaiah 40:11, ESV)

Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel hesitant or timid in your faith? How can you take a step of faith today, trusting that Jesus will meet you with compassion and understanding?

Quotes

The woman was very ignorant she fondly imagined that virtue came out of Christ by a law of necessity without his knowledge or direct will she supposed that the Holiness and Divinity of his nature had communicated a mysterious efficacy to his garments just as the bones of Elisha had restored a dead man to life. [00:06:01]

Little as was her knowledge great as was her unbelief and astounding as was her misconception of Our Lord yet her faith because it was real Faith saved her if we have a faith as a grain of mustard seed there is life in that grain and die it cannot. [00:08:26]

Courage ye that are so timid that ye seldom read your titles clear to mansions in the skies the title is nonetheless sure because you cannot read it I would to God your faith with stronger but God forbid that I should wound your sensitive spirits and discourage your growing hopes. [00:09:17]

Let each timid hearer now say if it be so that there are many who receive God's grace who through much trembling hide themselves from the eyes of men may it not be so with me may I not this morning Venture secretly to touch the Lord and since the virtue streams abundantly from him. [00:05:05]

The Afflicted woman woman in the narrative came behind Jesus in the press and won a cure from him all unobserved by the multitude ah how many there may be in the crowd who are really healed by Jesus Christ but concerning whom little or nothing is known it is delightful to see conversion work. [00:03:57]

The act of confessing our needs and sins to Jesus is crucial. The woman’s confession brought her peace and affirmed her healing. Similarly, when we lay bare our hearts before God, we open ourselves to His healing and grace. [00:12:57]

Tell him Thou Art all together as an unclean thing and that all thy righteousnesses are as filthy rags make a clean breast of thy overt acts tell him when thou art alone in thy closet precisely what thou Hast done do not disguise thy crimes nor mince Matters by using dainty terms. [00:14:00]

Tell him how thy heart has been broken how thy conscience has been alarmed tell him how thy very sleep is scared with dreams how thy days are made as black as though they were Nights by a want of Hope tell him that sin has become a torment to thee. [00:18:00]

The simple statement of your wants and the sincere expression of your desire that those wants should be supplied for Jesus' sake is all the prayer that God asks of you we should dear friends if we would come before the Lord acceptably tell him all the truth about our disease. [00:11:34]

I pray God the holy spirit guide these words which are meant to encourage you who have been been seeking Jesus let me urge you to tell the whole of the story for these reasons the Lord knows it all beforehand you cannot hide it whatever your sin may have been. [00:29:51]

The woman next told the Lord of her sufferings the peculiar disease with which she had been Afflicted drained away her strength she must have presented a most emaciated ated appearance there was no flush of Health upon her Hollow cheek her gate was that of utter weakness. [00:16:44]

Jesus is no hard-hearted foe no cruel judge he loves thee awaken sinner he will love to hear that story of thine and a thou Hast finished it he will give Thee the kiss of love and say I have blotted out thy sins like a cloud and like a thick Cloud thy transgressions. [00:32:30]

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Transcript
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