An Issue of Blood

Notes and Outline


Mark 5:25-34 “Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.

When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.

And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?” But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.

But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth. And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction.”

Three basic components of every story
1. Where they were. (past)
2. Where they are. (present)
3. Where they are going (future)

The classic fairy tale, Cinderella, for example, starts out by telling us that Cinderella’s mother has died, her father has remarried and then shortly after, he dies also. Where she was.

Then we find out that she is being cared for and sorely mistreated by her wicked step-mother. Where she is.

And lastly, we find out that she is the one Prince Charming has been looking for and they will spend the rest of their lives “happily ever after.” Where she is going.

Bible as an example
Where we were –Fallen, separated from God, under the law and judgement
Where we are –able to reunite with God through Jesus Christ, under the blood and grace
Where we are going –the ultimate showdown and our conquering Hero taking His rightful place on the throne

A. Her Past (where she was)

1. She was suffering
“Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years…”

a.) Physically suffering
b.) Emotionally suffering

Leviticus 15: 19-27 laws regarding blood issues
Deuteronomy 24:1 regarding divorce
John 9:1-3 overall attitude of the day regarding sickness.

She is alone, she is sick, and she is an outcast. This brings us to the next thing we know about her past:


2. She was searching.
“…and had suffered many things from many physicians.”

3. She was spent.
“She had spent all that she had…”


B. Her Present (where she is)

1. She is full of faith.
“When she heard about Jesus…”

What stories would she have heard?
Matthew 8:5-13

Why did she choose to touch His garment?
“She said, if only I may touch His clothes, I will be made well.”


2. She is full of fear.
“The woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her…”

Why was she full of fear?

“And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned and said, “Who touched me?” But His disciples said to Him, ‘You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched me?’ And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.”

Why did He wait for her response?
Genesis 22:1-14 Abraham and Isaac


3. She is at His feet.
“She came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.”


C. Her Future (where she is going)
“And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”

Women want two things:
-to know who we are (identity)
-to know where we are going (direction)


Summary: Where are you in the story? Suffering, searching, and seeking? At His feet? Full of faith or fear or both? Hiding from your own story? Do you know who you are in Him and where (or at least how) you are going?

(movie clip: Black Beauty)