Thought

When Jesus came to town, everyone wanted to get near Him. People wanted to touch Him, hear Him speak, and just get a good look at Him. The sick woman who had been suffering for 12 years shouldn’t have been allowed near the great teacher. She lived in a society where women did not get the same education as men and where her illness made her unclean by Jewish custom. But she believed that if she could just get close enough to touch Jesus’ clothes, she would be healed. And she was! Her faith moved her to take action and get close to Jesus. What would you do to get closer to Jesus?

Word

Mark 5:34 NIV

[Jesus] said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

Question

Did you know that some numbers in the Bible have special significance?

The number 12 symbolizes authority. The woman Jesus healed had been sick for 12 years, and the young girl He was on His way to heal was 12 years old. Jesus showed authority over sickness and death in the lives of these women!

Challenge

We can’t touch Jesus’ clothes today, but we can get close to Him by reading about Him and by talking to Him through prayer. Think about when you feel close to Jesus and try to spend more time doing what brings you closer to Him this week.

Prayer

God, thank You for being a healer we can trust, and thank You for caring about people whom others don’t notice. Amen.