THE FORCE OF FAITH

“Daughter, YOUR FAITH has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction” – Mark 5:34b

The account of the woman with an affliction of unceasing issue of blood, demonstrated the reality of the FORCE of FAITH: “And He said to her, “Daughter, YOUR FAITH has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction” (Mk.5:34). The woman in question had suffered for twelve years prior to encountering the Lord Jesus Christ. She had “suffered many things from many physicians” – those who were meant to be her carers and succorers had become her worst nightmares! To accentuate her dilemma, “She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse” (v.26). Apparently, this woman of means was depleted in all aspects of existence – physically, financially, and emotionally – until “she heard about Jesus” and responded (v.27).

Everybody has issues, which often not only affect us, but others around us. This woman’s “issues” had dominated her life. Yet, these are common to most people. First was the physical issue Twelve years of unceasing bleeding (v.25). Her body was barely able to keep up with reproducing the blood she was losing. She probably felt weak, tired, and anaemic all the time. That she later felt in her body that she had been healed, indicates there was some form of physical pain she was undergoing. She was also in financial ruin (v.26). Next, was a relational issue: She would have been declared unclean based on Leviticus 15: 25-29. She would have been very limited in relating with friends and family, being considered unclean. Socially, she was a little better off than a leper

Then, the spiritual issue: For over a decade she was unable to participate in temple or synagogue worship. People viewed her like as cursed by God; and guilty of some sin. For example, the disciples of Jesus asked about a blind man: “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” (Jh. 9:2). Little wonder, she attempted to sneak her healing without being noticed. Also, this looked like a hopeless issue: She had become worse rather than better! But her Faith changed her story! Her time of favour had come. Her heart was ready. Jesus was ready to change her life. She only needed to place her Faith in Him (vv.27-28).

Whatever issues she had and whatever she lacked, this woman had a vital asset – the Force of Faith: “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” (vv.27-28). The irresistible Force of Faith produced prompt results, stopping the fountain of affliction: “Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction” (v.29). Her feelings didn’t precede her faith; they followed it! And Jesus – the Author of Faith – attested to the Force of Faith in operation: “And Jesus, immediately KNOWING in Himself that POWER had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who TOUCHED My clothes?” (v.30).

A multitude was thronging Jesus, but He deciphered the distinctive TOUCH of FAITH (v.31). FAITH is a spiritually tangible Force; a formidable and “knowable” Supernatural Force that taps into the Power of God, to bring miracles into manifestation. FAITH is the LIVING FORCE drawn from the LIVING WORD to produce LIVING PROOFS! The entire passage showed that Jesus was enroute Jairus’ house, to go lay hands on his little daughter who was dying (vv.22-23). However, the long-afflicted woman knew that this was her moment. She had had enough of Satan’s torture. She was at the point where she realized that all she had left was God! Although she wasn’t the object of Jesus’s mission, this was the right time and the right place; and her Faith was rightly positioned!

Beloved, do you believe that this is your Time? Is your heart ready? The Force of Faith will flow to make you well, as you focus on Jesus!