2/15/2026

Day 15: 

The Bleeding Woman

Mark 5:25–34 (NLT)

The story of the bleeding woman is one of the most tender and confronting portraits of humility in all of Scripture. For twelve long years, she suffered continual bleeding—an affliction that drained her body, her finances, and her dignity. According to Jewish law, her condition rendered her ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 15:25–27). She was barred from temple worship, forbidden normal touch, and forced into social and spiritual isolation. Her suffering was not only physical; it was relational, emotional, and deeply spiritual.

Mark tells us she “had suffered a great deal from many doctors” and had spent everything she had, only to grow worse (Mark 5:26). Human solutions failed her completely. Like the psalmist, she could have cried, “I am exhausted from my groaning” (Psalm 6:6). She had no strength left—only desperation. Yet desperation, when mixed with faith, becomes the soil where humility grows.

When she heard Jesus was passing by, hope awakened. She did not imagine a public miracle or a personal audience. Her faith was quiet, trembling, and intensely personal: “If I can just touch his clothes, I will be healed” (Mark 5:28). This was not presumption—it was humility. She did not believe she deserved His attention. She believed His mercy was abundant enough to spill over to someone like her. Scripture affirms this posture: “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed” (Psalm 34:18).

She came from behind, anonymous in the crowd, and reached for the fringe of His garment. Immediately, the bleeding stopped. Her body knew before her mind could process it—she was free. In that moment, she could have disappeared. No one saw her. No one stopped her. She had what she came for.

But Jesus would not allow her healing to remain hidden. “Who touched my clothes?” He asked (Mark 5:30). The disciples were confused—everyone was pressing in. Yet Jesus discerned the difference between casual contact and faith-filled touch. Many brushed against Him, but one reached for Him believing. “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6).

When Jesus called her forward, she came trembling and afraid. She fell at His feet and told Him the whole truth—every detail, every year, every wound. This is humility’s deepest act: full exposure before the Lord. “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who tell the truth” (Proverbs 12:22). She did not hide her shame or soften her story. She laid it all down.

Jesus’ response is breathtaking. He called her “Daughter.” For twelve years she had been labeled unclean, untouchable, and unseen. In one word, Jesus restored her identity. She was not a problem to be fixed—she was family. “I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters” (2 Corinthians 6:18).

Then He said, “Your faith has healed you. Go in peace. Your suffering is over” (Mark 5:34). Her healing was not accidental or magical—it was relational. Faith connected her to the heart of Jesus. And He gave her more than physical healing: peace, restoration, dignity, and belonging. “He fills my life with good things” (Psalm 103:5).

This story teaches us that humility does not demand—it reaches. It does not shout—it stretches. It does not hide forever—it tells the truth when Jesus calls.

What part of your story are you afraid to bring into the light? What shame, weakness, or long-standing wound have you tried to heal quietly, hoping not to be noticed? Today, reach for Jesus—not with polished prayers, but with honest faith. When He asks, “Who touched Me?” step forward and tell Him the whole truth.

Humility dares to reach for Jesus while trembling

and discovers that He was already reaching back.