SOMEBODY TOUCHED ME Mark 5:25-34 (KJS) Mark 5:25-34 And 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. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. INTRODUCTION: In this story we have a woman who was plagued with a medical problem for a period of twelve years. This medical problem was for here an embarrassing one. She didn't want too many people to know about what was going on. The problem, according to the Gospel account was an issue of bleeding. Now this doesn't seem to be anything to cause great embarrassment in and of itself, but it is similar to the complaints of many of the female patients of today who have the same complaint and describe it simply with the words, "a female problem." Yet hers was a consistent problem, an ongoing condition for twelve years. The problem of this poor woman was complicated by the lack of understanding of the problem even by doctors of her day and it was made worse by Levitical law. The trouble was that not only did this affect a woman's health, it also rendered her continuously unclean and shut her off from the worship of God and the fellowship of her friends You can just imagine how this woman must of felt. Not only did she have this medical problem, but if others knew about it she would be shunned, for no one wanted to be unclean. I. NOTICE HER CURSE --(v25) Mark 5:25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, A. She was sick. 1. If a man loses blood one day for one week a month, he would he terribly weak. 2. But here is a woman that has lost blood for 12 years. 3. She is typical of a sinner who is sick from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet with the disease of sin. B. She was searching --verse 26. Mark 5:26 (KJS) And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse . . . 1. She had spent all she had and was none better, and today. many are trying all kinds of doctors and remedies that will never help them. 2. Some try Dr. Morality, Dr. Religion, Dr. Do better--those doctors will let you die and’ go to hell, II. NOTICE HER COURAGE A. She had to go over the curse --Moses law. Levi 15:25-27 And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she [shall be] unclean. Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her separation. And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe [himself] in water, and be unclean until the even. B. She had to go pass through the excitement of the crowd 1. "Surely," she said to her self, "if I can just touch His robe I'll be healed. 2. If I can just get through the crowds. No one has to see me or to know what I've been going through." 3. Quietly and as quickly she passed through the crowd and finally came within reach. 4. She probably even looked around to make sure no one would see. She reached out and touched him. SUCCESS! C. She was convinced and convicted that no one else could help her. She was desperate. III. NOTICE HER CONTACT --(v27) Mark 5:27 When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. A. She touched Him. 1. We a Christians need to press in through the crowd and touch the Master, no matter what the cost may be! 2. There is NO TOUCH, LIKE THE TOUCH OF JESUS! B. Jesus stopped and said; "Who touched my clothes?" 1. Jesus was well aware in Himself that the power which issued from him had gone out of him. C. The disciples response 1. I can just imaging the disciples response. Jesus, what are asking for? 2. “Surely you don't expect to pass through a crowd such as this and not have someone bump into you. 3. Surely any one here close enough could of accidentally bumped into you. But Jesus had felt something more. It was not some one accidentally bumping into him. 4. No it was more than that. It was the touch of faith. D. Gave her victory--like sparks from smitten steel. "Daughter, [and this is the only time in the gospels we have record of Jesus addressing anyone this way]...Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease." 1. By His virtue--He said virtue Power is gone out of Me! 2. I wouldn't even doubt that as Jesus asked that question, "Who touched my clothes?" That he looked straight into that woman's eyes. 3. Oh He looked around alright, but the moment his eyes met the woman's eyes_she knew He knew. 4. There was nothing more that she could do or say. His glance in her direction convicted her. She was guilty. The woman was terrified and trembling._ ILLUSTRATION --Many Christians get sick physically and emotionally because they are not facing their sins. In his book Pastoral Psychiatry, Dr. John S. Bonnell tells of four such instances. A university student experienced drumming noises in his head, blurred vision, and dizziness. A woman suffered from neuritis. A medical student struggled with mental disorders. And a patient lived with persistent indigestion. In each instance, relief came when the patient finally broke down and confessed sins that were hidden away. 1Cor 11:28-30 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. (NIV) 5. She knew well what had happened to her. 6. She came and threw herself down before him, and told him the whole truth. a. We as Christians need to be straight and honest with Jesus and tell Him our needs, “the whole truth, nothing but the truth!” IV. NOTICE HER CURE --(v. 29) Mark 5:29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. A. It was immediate--straightway. B. It was inspiring--verse 29--she felt it. CONCLUSION: In our world today there are many who are like this woman. They have some illness, some shame in their life. The have tried to hide in the crowds, but they know their guilt. They have sought the world over for happiness, but have found only emptiness. Perhaps they have tried drugs, alcohol, sex, and even dabbled at religion. Perhaps the heavens gate, which craft or some other cult, desperately seeking losing everything they have in the process. Look a Peter as he walked across the water to meet Jesus. Looking at the waves around him he began to be distracted. His faith faltering. But in a moment he reached out in faith, "Lord save me!" and Jesus' hand was there and so it is for us and the rest of the world. It doesn't take much, just a moment of faith. You really don't even have to get close, just a simple touch of faith and Jesus will know you’re there. He'll turn around and offer you his hand in your hour of need, and as he did with that woman so many years ago say to you, "Your faith has cured you!_ Go, and be in good health, free from the trouble that was your scourge.'" -------------------------------------------- I ask you, “How many of you need a touch of Jesus this very hour?” If you do, In the Name of Jesus step out of your seats quickly without hesitation and make your way to this altar. May 15, 1998 PRESTHRU.WPD Pastor Danny Barker Abundant Life Church of God Covington, LA 70433 E-mail dannyb@nternet.com