Victory Over Dieases

Victory Over Diseases

Mark 5:21-34

Introduction: Jesus returned again to Capernaum, and was met by Jairus, a ruler of the Synagogue, whose daughter is sick unto death. On his way to Jairus' house, the woman of our text interrupts him and receives a "wayside miracle" ... an "over-splash" of God's grace, mercy, love and power. She wasn't the focus of the journey, and the scripture does not even tell us her name. Yet, Jesus took the time to meet her need. God can meet your need any way he chooses. Mark has proved that Jesus gives victory over dangers as he calm the raging sea. Even when the disciples were fearful and had little faith, Jesus came through for them. Then Mark proved that Jesus gives victory over demons as he freed the demoniac of Gadara, even though the demoniac felt, alone, deserted, and helpless, Jesus comes to him. Now, Mark shows us that Jesus gives victory of the issues of Life, while he is passing by on his way to help others: Jesus demonstrates His power over diseases. The contrast between these two people who anxiously waited for Jesus is striking and reveal the true Love and Mercy of Jesus. Jarius was an important synagogue officer; the no name woman with the issue was considered a nobody, Yet Jesus welcomed and helped both of them. Jairus was about to lose a daughter who had given him 12 years of happiness; the woman was about to lose an affliction that had brought her 12 years of sorrow. How different their lives had been, yet they find themselves in the same predicament.

This woman had an incurable bleeding disorder. She had been sick for 12 years with this abnormal condition. Her constant bleeding has left her weak, tired, frail, and drained of energy. It is one thing to have a bad day, week, month, or year, but this woman had a bad 12 years! Under Jewish law, she was "untouchable" ... cut off from the rest of society, an outcast. She couldn't marry, or if she was married, her condition was grounds for divorce. She couldn't go to the temple to worship. She couldn't socialize ... she was an outcast. She is known not by name, occupation, family linage, age, or color. She is known only by what she had. According to Leviticus, anything or anybody she touched would be considered "unclean". If touched, that person must wash their clothes, take a bath, and would be considered "unclean" until the evening. She infected everyone and everything she touched. For 12 long years, she had lived in this isolation.

Everybody has "issues". The trouble with issues is that they not only affect us, but everybody we come in contact with. For this woman, her blood issue had become more. It was now a dominating force in her life. We may have more in common with this woman than we care to admit. You see, today we can place ourselves in the place of this woman because all the issues she had are the same the issues we have.

(1) She had a physical issue. -The issue of blood was a physical issue. For twelve years this woman was sick. Every day, every hour, every second she was aware of her physical condition. Maybe you are sitting here today also with a physical condition. Maybe it is also for more than a year now. Even worse, the Bible reveals that this woman’s condition grew worse and worse every day. Just imagine being sick for twelve years and every year, every month, every week, hour, minute and second your condition are becoming worse and worse. Imagine the feeling of hopelessness and desperation.

(2) She had a financial issue. Secondly she had a financial issue. The tragedy of it was that she "was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse" Her money was gone, her disease was gaining on her, her one chance came now with Jesus. In our days we can say she sold her TV, her VCR, her couch, her jewelry, all she had. She had nothing left. Everything was gone. No more money. No more resources. Nothing is left. She had one big financial issue.

(3) She had a relationship Issues – deserted by family and friends. According to the Bible in Leviticus 15 a woman with an issue of blood was regarded as unclean and anything she touched were unclean. Leviticus 15:19 – 27. For twelve years she was regarded as an outcast. She knew loneliness. She knew how it feels to be cast out of a community. She knew how it feels to be ignored by people. Nobody dared to come and visit her. She was all alone in this world. How many of us can relate to this, today.

(4) She had a faith issue. Lastly, she had a faith problem. How many of us today realize that after 12 years her faith was very low. Delay is a faith killer! With each passing year and month and weeks and days she grew worse and her level of faith smaller. But thank God, He is not only looking for great faith, but God also recognizes small faith. Mustard seed faith maybe enough to perform a miracle in your life. This woman found relief when she fell down at the feet of Jesus. That's a good starting place to find relief... at the feet of Jesus.