AT FIRST GLANCE, HERE IS A MIRACLE THAT OCCURED OUTSIDE THE CONSCIOUSNESS AND WILL OF CHRIST!

1. As Jesus left Capernaum- He stilled the waves, and healed a demoniac- Absolute Power over elements
2. As He returned he raised Jairus' daughter, and healed woman-  showing the power of faith from them
3. Jairus' faith was almost defeated and her faith suffered from excess-  bordering on the fanatical fringe of superstition - Jesus had to reach through both to show His love!

I.- "IF I MAY TOUCH HIM"  Mark 5:28

It was a beautiful spring morning, the calm after the storm over the sea of Galilee -

A.- "A CERTAIN WOMAN HAD AN ISSUE OF BLOOD" V. 25 A BEAUTIFUL DAY DID NOT STOP PROBLEMS!

1. A common sickness- Dev 15:19- she was unclean, unable to go into synagogue, or approach directly
2. There were many remedies- Just one page of Talmud had 11- but mostly superstitious "old wives tales"
3. Even the Rabbis had magic formulas to say that were guaranteed to heal such sickness -

B. SHE KEPT ON SAYING "IF I MAY TOUCH HIM, BUT HIS CLOTHES, I SHALL BE MADE WHOLE " V. 28

1. The clothes of Jesus- Main garment- night gown -A loose jacket; bound with wide belt; sandals
2. Below the wide belt- the fringe of the Jacket- probably blue- Num 15:38 - with 4 tassels!
3. Many people pressed about him but only one reached through the mob to touch the hem of jacket

C.- THE WOMAN CAME IN THE PRESS BEHIND JESUS, AND TRIED TO SECRETLY REACH OUT AND TOUCH HIM

1. Her shyness, disease, her being a woman- all prevented her from taking the direct approach -
2. She had sought help from many doctors- wasted her substance; but now Jesus he healed many
3. She may have traveled far, pushed hard, crowded in close, overcame obstacles to touch Him

But her touch was rewarded - though secret, & quick- she KNEW instantly she had been healed!

II.- "WHO TOUCHED ME?" V. 30

Her touch was supposed to be secret, but Jesus knew instantly what had happened

A.- "JESUS TURNED ABOUT IN THE PRESS, AND SAID "WHO TOUCHED MY CLOTHES?". v. 30

1. Jesus knew that virtue- (Dunamis) Power had gone out from Him, He knows all things-
2. The Apostles could not understand, and said so- v.31 - They could not understand the fuss
3. Jesus knew all that had happened so why this charade? Why the pretend hunt?

B.- THE GREAT FAITH OF THIS WOMAN HAD ITS GRAVE DANGERS, AND THESE DANGERS STILL EXIST!

1. Her faith might degenerate to superstition- Like tree shoots-rob strength, prevent fruit!
2. She might miss the moral, personal element- not garment, but Christ; not thing- but person
3. We often mistake the Church, ordinances, Pastor, Soulwinners, for the real thing- Christ!

C.- THE WOMAN WAS FORCED TO COME TO JESUS- FEARING, TREMBLING, AND CONFESSING - v. 33

1. Jesus knew what had happened- He had healed her- not garment: Now He had to teach her doctrine
2. Jesus forced her to face Him- crystalized her faith into a confession- Luke 8:47 - "to all"
3. Jesus was not cruel- He wanted her to receive the maximum blessing a public confession brings

Jesus is not cruel to you either! There are blessings you will not have until you face Him

III.- "THY FAITH HATH MADE THEE WHOLE" v. 34

Jesus wanted to see her receive more than just physical healing - peace, complete wholeness

A.- JESUS HAD TO BRING HER FACE TO FACE WITH HIMSELF, FOR HER OWN SAKE! - NO SHORTCUTS

1. in His mercy- He bore with her weakness, ignorance, stealth- He healed her anyway!
2. In His love- He had to correct her, but it was after He healed her that He taught her.
3. He had to show her that it was not the garment but her faith in Him that made the connection

B.- HAVE YOU REACHED THROUGH THE CROWD TO TOUCH THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT?

1. The glory of Jesus is so clothed today, people have a hard time getting to Him -even seeing Him
2. Let all things point to Him- not hide Him! The Church, Ordinances, Workers- Not self-but Jesus
3. But never miss the truth- It is not the garment- but FAITH that opens the door to Power!

C.- COME FACE TO FACE WITH JESUS, WITH FEAR, TREMBLING, BUT DO NOT FAIL TO FALL AT HIS FEET!

1. If this woman of old could be so determined- You too can get through to Jesus
2. But do not cheat Jesus out of His glory- see through church, choir, & all- & see Him!
3. If you allow the press & confusion to keep you from Jesus- you are the loser!  Not them!

Every person who truly seeks Jesus, will find Him willing to help them even as she did.

IF YOU HAVE CONSCIOUSNESS LEFT IN YOUR SOUL, AND KNOW YOU HAVE A NEED, SEEK JESUS NOW!

1. Our invitation will hold up the procession- so you can reach through to Jesus- Come to Him
2. Maybe you have already touched Him- but need to learn a little more- that's what Church is for
3. You cannot get into His choice blessings by creeping in the back way- Come now!