An Issue

And, behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue: and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him that he would come into his house: For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as he went the people thronged him. And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. - Luke 8:41-48

Here is a woman, in the gospel, that had an issue. The account of this woman is a story of desperation and affliction. For 12 years, she had suffered with this issue. For 12 long years, she worried about her health. 12 years, she sought help. Scripture says she had spent all her living on physicians who undoubtedly told her, "No, there's nothing we can do." She had spent all her money on doctors who told her, "No." She had spent all her time at hospitals who told her, "No." BUT, she heard about a man named Jesus.

is-sue [ish-oo] -n., a point or matter of which is of special importance

The issue of blood was of special importance to the woman. Not only was it her health, but she was treated as unclean according to the Mosaic law. She was treated as a leper. Whatever she touched was deemed unclean. Whoever she came in contact with, was deemed unclean, even to her husband and family. She was an outcast of society. She was a terribly desperate and lonely woman. BUT, she heard about a man named Jesus.

She pressed through the crowd to get to Him. No doubt, she was weak from the illness, but she pressed on. The mob that was thronging Jesus was difficult to fight through, but she pressed on. Taking a few steps and pressing more, taking a few more steps and the pressing even harder. If she could just get to the man named Jesus.

When she saw Jesus and reached out and touched the fringe of His garment, because of the law, she was doing something she was not allowed to do. By law, she had made Him unclean which is why she was not quick to own up, when Jesus asked who touched me? She only admitted when Jesus insisted and then she fell down at His feet trembling. She was in fear of what might happen to her because she had touched another. She fell down trembling and spoke of why she had did it and testified to the crowd the mighty act which God had performed in stopping her blood which had flowed continually for twelve years.

What issues do you deal with? How long have you been dealing with them by yourself? Like the woman with the issue of blood, for 12 years, all she heard was, "No. It's hopeless." BUT, she heard about a man named Jesus who said, "Yes, there is hope."

Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. - 1
Peter 5:7

We all have issues. Issues, cares, worries, problems, trials, valleys, whatever you want to call them - we got them. Jesus said,

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have
overcome the world. - John 16:33

We can overcome the world with Jesus. We can overcome burdens with Jesus. We can overcome valleys with Jesus. We can overcome issues with Jesus. Have you heard of this man named Jesus? He loves you. He cares for you. Thank Him for His grace, love, and mercy.