Marcos 5:25-29

DISCOURSE: 1426
THE WOMAN WITH A BLOODY FLUX HEALED

Marcos 5:25. A certain woman which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, when she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

THE miracles of our Lord afford much useful instruction. They were not perhaps always intended as types; but they afford a just occasion for spiritual observations.
To improve the miracle now before us, we observe,

I. Sin has introduced many lamentable evils into the world—

[Sickness and pain and death are the effects of sin. If our first parents had not sinned, these things had never existed. The infirmities of the weaker sex are especially noticed in this view [Note: Gênesis 3:16.]. Deplorable was the condition of the woman mentioned in the text: but incomparably worse effects have proceeded from sin: our souls are altogether diseased in every part. The prophet’s description of the Jews is applicable to us [Note: Isaías 1:5.]. Our own confession is but too just a picture of our state [Note: “There is no health in us.”]; and, if we should die in this state, we must surely perish [Note: 1 Coríntios 6:9.]

II.

We are prone to rest in carnal methods of removing them—

[The woman had employed many physicians, and had spent her substance on them without any benefit. We blame her not for using all possible means of relief: but she had looked no higher than to the creature for help. This conduct incensed the Lord against good King Asa [Note: 2 Crônicas 16:12.]; and in every age it provokes the eyes of his glory. In spiritual things we generally act the same part. Under slight convictions of sin we rest in purposes of amendment. If guilt lie heavy on our souls, we flee to duties, and hope by them to compensate for past neglects [Note: Miquéias 6:6.]. Not but that it is right to use the means of salvation: but we should look through the means to the Saviour, and expect mercy, not for our diligence, but for his name’s sake [Note: Romanos 9:31.]. Unless we do this our labour will end in disappointment.]

III.

However desperate our disorders be, the Lord Jesus is able to heal them—

[The woman’s disease had baffled all the art of medicine; but she hoped to find relief from the Lord Jesus. Nor was she disappointed in her application to him: there went virtue out of him and healed her instantly. The same power will he exercise over the diseases of the soul. The most heinous sins may be purged away by his blood; the most inveterate lusts may be subdued by his Spirit [Note: 1 Coríntios 6:11.]. A whole cloud of witnesses have testified of this truth [Note: Manasseh, David, Solomon, Paul, &c. See 1 Timóteo 1:16.]: nor are there wanting many living monuments of his power and grace.]

IV.

The more we honour Jesus by faith, the more will he bless and honour us—

[Greatly did this diseased person honour Jesus by her faith. She had heard of his unbounded power and benevolence towards others: she trusted that he would exercise them towards herself. Nor did she at all stagger through unbelief. Jesus therefore determined to bless and honour her. His inquiries were made, not for his own information, but to bring her into notice, and to propose her as a pattern for the encouragement of others. He not only conveyed, but expressly confirmed, her cure, and dismissed her with the endearing appellation of “daughter.” Thus will he testify his love to all who rely upon him. How gloriously did he reward the confidence of the Hebrew Youths [Note: Daniel 3:17; Daniel 3:25; Daniel 3:27.]! Nor shall any put their trust in him in vain. Their sins, however numerous, shall surely be forgiven [Note: Mateus 12:31.]: their difficulties, however great, shall surely be overcome [Note: Marcos 11:22.]

Address—
1.

To those who are unconcerned about their spiritual maladies—

[We all are sensible that we are sinful creatures, and profess an intention to seek forgiveness: yet for the most part we defer this necessary work. If our bodies were disordered, we should apply to the physician; we should even spend our substance in procuring his aid, and this, with only an uncertain hope of obtaining relief. But we account the smallest labour too much for our souls: we will not apply in earnest to our Almighty Physician, notwithstanding we could not fail of success in our application, and should be sure to obtain healing “without money and without price.” What strange infatuation possesses impenitent sinners! What extreme folly is it to prefer the transient welfare of a perishable body, before the eternal welfare of an immortal soul! Let the conduct of this woman put such persons to shame, and let them instantly avail themselves of the Saviour’s presence.]

2. To those who desire to have their disorders healed—

[Man is ever prone to seek help in the creature first. The Jews of old did this to their own confusion [Note: Oséias 5:13.]: and God has declared, that all who do so shall fail of success [Note: Jeremias 17:5.]. Let us then be convinced that the sinner’s help is in God alone, and that all others are “physicians of no value.” Let us never question the power or willingness of Christ to save. Let us make our way to him through all difficulties and obstructions. Let us stretch out our hands with humble boldness and confidence, nor doubt but that virtue shall proceed from him to heal our souls.]