One of my favourite bible characters is a woman who isn’t even considered important enough for the Gospel writers to give her a name. Her story is given briefly, in both Mark (5:24-34) and Luke (8:43-48) almost as an aside in the middle of another story about Jesus healing a local leader’s daughter.

This woman had been bleeding constantly for twelve years. She was very sick and ceremonially unclean, and therefore a social outcast.

Reaching out in faith

Two things about her inspire me: firstly, the complete and utter faith she had that Jesus was the answer. She’d been to see all the physicians she could afford to, who if anything had made her worse (Mark describes how she had 'suffered a great deal from many doctors' v.26). She had been continually disappointed by people claiming to be able to help her. But rather than despair, she knew when she had found the One who could heal and restore her – physically, spiritually and in the eyes of her society. We read in Mark that she says to herself 'If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed' (Mark 5:28). She knows with total certainty that all she needs is Jesus.

Not a people-pleaser

The second thing that challenges me is her total disregard for social conventions and public opinion. She knows full well that she isn’t supposed to be near men, especially holy men like Jesus; she knows full well that anyone she touches will also become ceremonially unclean; and yet, she pushes through many, many people to reach Jesus. She didn’t let cultural views of women hold her back from her Saviour. She wasn’t bothered by what other people – powerful and holy people – thought of her. All she cared about in that moment was getting to Jesus.

Do you sing loudly?

Her actions might not seem like that big a deal when we read this story, but when I compare it with my contemporary exeriences I am hugely challenged. How often at church or home group do I sing quietly or hold back from physically expressing my worship because no-one else is? When there’s an opportunity to be prayed for, do I run to the front knowing that an encounter with Jesus is all I need, or do I hang back and let others go first so I’m not standing there on my own? In all areas of my relationship with God, am I held back by very English unwillingness to do anything that contravenes the societal expectations? Good grief, this woman didn’t even queue to get to Jesus!

I want to have this woman’s faith and determination: to know so deeply and fully that Jesus is the answer, that nothing else matters. As Helen Lemmel writes in the old hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus,

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in his wonderful face

And the things of the earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of his glory and grace