January 29, 2025 | Be God's Family
The Diary of The Woman with Bleeding
Scripture: Matthew 9:18-26(NIV)
18 While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
20 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21 She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
23 When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, 24 he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. 25 After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. 26 News of this spread through all that region.
Devotional
For six million, three hundred and seven thousand, two hundred minutes I have been “unclean!” Every minute is a moment lost in my life. Over 4,380 days I have suffered. My name is “unknown” and I have been 12 years unclean.
How did I get this way? My dark, hidden self is numb. I understand why no one includes me. The definition of blood flux is packed with fear, abandonment, isolation and whispers of “she won’t make it.” What does life hold for my older self? I can’t go on another minute.
I understand the Mosaic law on cleanliness.
Leviticus 15:25 “When a woman has a discharge of blood for many days at a time other than her monthly period or has a discharge that continues beyond her period, she will be unclean as long as she has the discharge…”
I seep, smell and attract flies.
Leviticus 15:26 “Any bed she lies on while her discharge continues will be unclean… Anything she sits on will be unclean…”
Everything I sit or sleep upon is unclean. I’m conscientious to not stain things.
Leviticus 15:27 “Anyone who touches (her) will be unclean; they must wash their clothes and bathe with water, and they will be unclean till evening.”
I am without friends. I cannot worship with others or socialize.
Leviticus 15:28-30 “When she is cleansed from her discharge, she must count off seven days, and after that she will be ceremonially clean. On the eighth day, she must take two doves or two young pigeons and bring them to the priest at the entrance to the tent of meeting. The priest is to sacrifice one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering. In this way he will make atonement for her before the LORD for the uncleanness of her discharge.”
I long for the day when my blood stops flowing and the blood on the altar is poured out as a sin offering for me. The substitute of death will be my new life!
I see this Jewish Jesus. Yes! From a distance, I’ve secretly listened and watched the Messiah preach and heal. Jesus’ Spirit is calling hope to me and powerfully tells me, “There is more to come.” The moment is now. I need the Gentle Healer to save me. I am desperate! This is the minute I’ve been waiting for. I will sneak into the crowd and touch His garment.
I think NOW, at six million, three hundred and seven thousand, two hundred and one minute, I shall be clean!”
Matthew 9:22 Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment.
Poem
Waiting And Waiting
Psalm 30
How can I live when life from me is draining?
How can I praise when breath in me is straining?
One touch from You can dam my endless bleeding
One breath from You fans life within completing
Unnoticed, scorned, by most who travel ‘round me
All lost, forlorn, my clipped wings they now ground me
But with one word You call me forth from hiding
And with one breath You set me sailing, flying
Who else but You attends to my soul reaching?
Who else but You hears wounded heart cries screeching?
To You alone, I lift up all my praises
‘Cause You alone, my soul from death now raises
