The story of Jesus encountering the woman with the hemorrhage (in Mark 5) is one of the many moments in bible history where Jesus shows his love and care for each and every one of us, even when (and maybe especially when) society brushes us aside as a nuisance. That is often the case with women, especially when we are outside the realm of childbearing years or physical desirability. That is certainly the case with this woman who had suffered for 12 years with a seemingly unresolvable condition.
In this story, Jesus is actually on his way to cure another young girl who is on the edge of womanhood, but at death’s door. The girl’s father—a synagogue official—is requesting his attention on her behalf. Amidst the noisy, pressing crowd, an anonymous woman, who has suffered for as long as this girl has been alive, reaches out in hope and faith toward her last chance at healing.
Jesus will either be all or nothing.
Unlike the young girl, she has no one left to advocate for her. She is ill and ostracized from her family and community. She has tried all known cures and spent all her money with wellness doctors. Jesus will either be all or nothing.
We may not bleed in the same way, but aren’t there times when we are hemorrhaging in other ways? Times when we need more help—more hope—more love, and it’s nowhere to be found? Times when our hearts bleed with loneliness or lament? We don’t know this woman’s name…she might be any of us.
He calls her “Daughter.”
Her outstretched fingers graze his garment for a moment as he passes by. There’s no reason for him to notice the touch, but he does. He stops: “Who has touched my clothes?” Jesus calls her forward to acknowledge before the crowd that she is now healed and whole. She will no longer be cast aside. He calls her “Daughter.” Where she had no father to advocate for her, Jesus fills that space. He is the source of her dignity and humanity.
The original painting is 16×20″ and acrylic on wood panel. It is available at The Sacred Art Gallery in Mesa, AZ.
Prints and other gifts are available in my Fine Art America-Pixels shops.
