Mark 5:25 – Part 2: 12 long years

This lady had a flow of blood for 12 years. Imagine that. There is a contrast between this lady and Jairus – and that is the length of time that they have been suffering with their problems – the lady had suffered 12 years, and when Jairus went to Jesus, his daughter had just died.

It was obvious that sickness caused her death, but we don’t know what kind of sickness it was, nor how long she had been sick. It is interesting to note that the Bible records her age as 12 years old. Perhaps she had been plagued with illness since a child, and if so we could say that Jairus has had to handle this problem for 12 years. This is just an opinion you understand?

Both of these people have had to deal with major problems. Both of them sickness. Both of them got worse (for Jairus, significantly worse!). Both went to Jesus and both got a miracle. You will notice the woman receives her miracle faster than Jairus. So we know that how fast the miracle is manifested has no bearing on whether a miracle will happen.

I used to think that because it seemed like my prayers weren’t getting answered and other peoples’ prayers were, then God wasn’t listening to me. I was wrong. That is no indication to me of whether or not my prayers will be answered.

But I want you to notice the length of time involved here for both these people – it is a significant length of time. Notice the woman had a flow of blood. This was a continual problem for her, it wasn’t a sporadic thing – it was a flow. I cannot begin to imagine the despair and hopelessness felt by the two of them when there were no signs of the sickness getting better, but rather getting worse

Some of you reading this perhaps can.

I do know one thing, it doesn’t matter how long you have been experiencing the particular problem that you are going through, it doesn’t change the faithfulness of God. He still answers. He still delivers. I don’t know why some things take time. I don’t know why prayers aren’t instantly answered and manifest every time. I do know, though, that the answer is coming, and God will not fail me.

12 years is long enough for you to experience all kinds of emotions and fears. I spent several years going from one financial crisis to another, and I hated it. I remember waking up in the night with panic, wondering how in the world the mess that I was in would get sorted out. I remember spending hours thinking about “schemes” that would “help” me, because my brain couldn’t keep coping with the pressure and was frantically to calm that pressure.

I have had my hopes dashed. I have thought times were hard. But I have never been through what these two went through and I have never been through something for 12 years. I cannot begin to imagine what I would be doing if I went through the financial mess that I went through if it had lasted 12 years. I don’t want too. In relative terms, I think this lady and Jairus have been through much harder times than I have – so I can take courage. If, after 12 years, they can find the faith, restore the hopelessness and believe that they can miraculously get free, then I can do it with a financial mess that I have for just a few years.

Some of you reading this can sympathise with these two people. You have been in a mess for 12 years, or perhaps even longer. But take courage, because if there is one thing this verse teaches us – time is of no issue with God. You can still receive a miracle from God. You have not passed the sell by date with God. It is not a timed event with God. You still have time to go out there, turn the ministry of Jesus and change your life forever!