The four miracles in Mark 4-5 all have this in common: God brings hope to hopeless situations. Jesus reveals himself as God, as creator. He is our refuge in times of trouble. In all the miracles, death was threatening, and Jesus brings life. He is the atoner!

Structurally, the center of today's passage is the woman being healed, and power going out from Jesus. Jesus gives out, and we receive.

Many thronged about Jesus, but few touched him. The woman must have believed him to be more than just a healer; she somehow knows that even in her impure state, she will not defile him, but rather he will purify her! We too must come to him as more than healer, as the Lord of glory.

The first of these four miracles asked the question, "Who is Jesus?" Through these passages we can see he had authority over creation (disciples on the boat in the storm), has power over the demonic (demoniac), power over disease and uncleanliness (woman with the issue of blood), and authority over death itself (Jairus's daughter). He is the Lord God! Only God has resurrection power.

The woman with the issue of blood is a picture of us-- she was once sick and without hope. We all needed the touch of Jesus! He is our only hope, our only path to purity, to overcoming sin and death.