3. Loss of certainty. With a chronic illness everything becomes contingent upon the condition. Vacations are contingent upon the body. One will go to work if the sickness allows. Even getting up in the morning is stipulated by the sickness. What was once predictable is now provisional.

4. Loss of place in society. When sick, losses go beyond the body. Sickness often puts a strain on relationships, on jobs, on hobbies, on families. The sick person feels a better fit in the hospital with other sick people, but not in the healthy world. They don't fit in.

5. Loss of resources. The older woman in the story "had spent all she had" (Mark 5:26, NIV). She was financially bankrupt, emotionally spent, and physically weak. She reminds us that vast fortunes of time, energy, and money can be squandered in an effort to bring healing.

6. Loss of hope. Perhaps the most chilling aspect of this lady's life was that she had tried everything "yet instead of getting better she grew worse" (Mark 5:26, NIV). She was beyond human help and hope. She was at her wit's end. As a last resort, she comes to Jesus hoping against hope that He could heal her. She was desperate enough to try anything.

The Desperation of the Sinner

Sickness makes us do some strange things, doesn't it? Pain can make us desperate. Not satisfied with conventional treatment, the sick may seek alternative treatments unendorsed by traditional medicine. Some alternatives may prove valid, even miraculous. Others may flirt with quackery, but at least they are something to do and to try.

The older woman in the story was desperate. She was willing to try anything to bring healing to her body. She had heard about Jesus. A healer. Strangely, something awakens in her breast. Resolution gradually builds in her heart. I must find Him. I must go to Him. He can heal me! So "she came up behind Him in the crowd and touched His cloak" (Mark 5:27, NIV). Like a frightened, whipped puppy edging toward a bone, she wishes to steal a blessing and remain anonymous. All she wants to do is to touch His garment and depart.

She thinks to herself "If I just touch His clothes, I will be healed" (Mark 5:28, NIV). Can you imagine her nervous reasoning? Touch Him ... yes ... just to touch Him -- there would be no harm in that! On the head? -- no, that would be irreverent! On the hand? -- no, that would be too familiar! But there cannot be any harm in touching His robes as He passes. It would be enough -- just to touch the hem of His robes. If I just touch Him. If I get some of that power.

If? Stop for a moment to consider the magnitude of that little conjunction. That's the issue, isn't it? This woman believes in Jesus' power. She knows in her heart that Jesus can pull off a healing. Or, at least, she is desperate enough to give it a try. She squeezes through the crowd, reaches out to touch His garment, and slinks back into the crowd. It is a daring yet cowardly move. She, in one moment, displays both faith and fear. While others bump into Jesus, she reaches out and touches Him.