Reports about Jesus

Scripture:

Mark 5:25-27  And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years,  (26)  and who had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.  (27)  She had heard the reports about Jesus and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his garment.

Observation:

This woman had a seemingly incurable condition causing her to bleed constantly. This may have been a menstrual or uterine disorder that would have made her ritually unclean (See Leviticus 15:25-27) and excluded her from most social contact. She desperately wanted Jesus to heal her, but she knew that her bleeding would cause Jesus to be unclean under Jewish law if she touched him. Sometimes we feel that our problems will keep us from God. But he is always ready to help, no matter how impossible the problem seems to us. We should never allow our fear to keep us from approaching him.

Application:

What cause this lady to have hope again?  She had this problem for 12 years, she had suffered much under a lot of different doctors.  She had spent all she had, but was getting worse.  Surely all hope was gone.  Surely she had given up hope a long time ago.

But what happened?  What caused her to get out of bed, put her clothes on, get outside and walking towards Jesus?  What caused her hope to come alive?  It is seen in verse 27:

"She had heard the reports about Jesus..."

She came to Jesus with expectations:

"If I touch even His garments, I will be made well."

Again, why hope?  Why were expectations so high about Jesus?  

"She had heard the reports about Jesus..."

Someone was excited about Jesus. 

Someone had seen what Jesus could do.

Someone couldn't help but share about Jesus' touch.

Someone refused to keep Jesus to themself.

Someone was used of God to spread the Good News.

Someone had a part in this miracle.

Someone brough encouragement.

Someone breathed life into this hopeless lady.

Someone made an eternal difference.

Someone affected generations to come.

Someone became a part of God's Word.

This lady received her miracle because reports she had heard about Jesus.  Who have I impacted with reports of Jesus? Have I told anyone lately?  Have I shown anyone lately?  Have I influenced anyone lately?  It's time to start a report!

Prayer:

"Lord, forgive me for the times I have not shared Jesus with anyone.  For the times You have done miraculous things in my life, and I am silent.  For the times I attend church, and do not invite anyone to come with me.  I want to change, and make the decision to change. I want to spread good reports about You, Jesus. I want to affect someone for eternity.  In Jesus' name, amen!"