What Will He Say?

In Mark 5:25-34, we meet a woman who had suffered in silence for twelve years. Full of fear and trembling, she reached for Jesus--unsure of what He would say. Instead of rejection, she found restoration. In this message, we explore how even hesitant, shame-filled faith can connect us to the healing power of Christ. If you've ever wondered how Jesus responds to our hidden struggles, this is a story you need to hear.

Linkoln shares his story on why he started coming to Ravenna Church of the Nazarene and shares why you should consider doing the same.

Ravenna Church of the Nazarene
530 Main Street, Ravenna, KY 40472

Transcript

 *not a word for word transcript, but the sermon manuscript*

WHAT WILL HE SAY?

When I was in fifth grade, I did a bad thing. My teacher told us to write a short story, and since she gave us no guidelines, I filled mine with as much blood, gore, and ridiculous comments as I could. That earned me a trip to her desk, the loss of recess, and a note I had to take home for my parents to sign.

I’d been in minor trouble before over my writing, so I was terrified of what they might say if they read this one. In my panic, I decided to forge my dad’s signature. Spoiler alert: my forgery failed. The result? A blistered behind, no recess for a week, and a month grounded from anything fun—all because I was afraid of that question: “What will they say?”

We all know that tension. Sometimes it’s lighthearted, but often it is much heavier. Addiction. Shame. Wounds we hide. Fear keeps us from reaching out, from asking for help, from even approaching Jesus—because deep down we wonder, “What will He say?”

Our passage today introduces us to a woman carrying that very fear. But when she finally reaches for Jesus, we discover the answer.

Mark 5:25-34 (CEB)

25 A woman was there who had been bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had suffered a lot under the care of many doctors, and had spent everything she had without getting any better. 27 Because she had heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his clothes. 28 She was thinking, If I can just touch his clothes, I’ll be healed. 29 Her bleeding stopped immediately, and she sensed in her body that her illness had been healed.

30 At that very moment, Jesus recognized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?”

31 His disciples said to him, “Don’t you see the crowd pressing against you? Yet you ask, “Who touched me?” 32 But Jesus looked around carefully to see who had done it.

33 The woman, full of fear and trembling, came forward. Knowing what had happened to her, she fell down in front of Jesus and told him the truth. 34 He responded, “Daughter, your faith has healed you; go in peace, healed from your disease.”

This is the word of God

For the people of God

Thanks be to God

The text tells us this woman had been bleeding for twelve years. According to Levitical law, that meant she was unclean—physically exhausted, socially isolated, spiritually cut off. Verse 26 says, “She had suffered under the care of many doctors.” Ancient remedies were often harsh and humiliating, and she spent everything she had only to grow worse. She is completely out of options.

Verse 27 says, “She came up behind Jesus in the crowd and touched his clothes.” Because of her condition—and because she was a woman—she did not dare approach Him directly. But she knew this might be her only chance. The word “touched” here means more than a brush; it implies clinging for help. Most likely, she reached for the tassel of His robe, the blue cord described in Numbers 15, a symbol of God’s presence and promises. In other words, she was not just grabbing fabric—she was reaching for God’s mercy.

Immediately, she was healed. She tried to slip away unnoticed, but Jesus stopped. This was not magic; Jesus Himself was the source. He knew the difference between a crowd pressing in and one person reaching out in faith.

Verse 33 says, “The woman, full of fear and trembling, came forward.” That is the moment we know well—her heart pounding with the question, “What will He say?” She expected a rebuke for making Him unclean. Instead, He called her “Daughter”—the only time in the Gospels He gives this title. A woman once cut off from everyone is now claimed by Jesus as His own.

And then He speaks: “Go in peace, and be healed.” That word “healed” is the same word often translated “saved.” Her healing was more than physical—it was body, soul, and community. She walked away restored to full life.

What does this teach us? The woman had no strength, no money, no social standing. But she did have faith. Not bold, confident faith—but hesitant faith. Shame-filled faith. Trembling faith. The kind of faith that barely whispers, “Maybe if I just reach out…”

And that’s the point. Faith expressed—even trembling, hesitant, shame-filled faith—is enough to connect us to the healing power of Jesus. He isn’t looking for polished faith, perfect faith, or impressive faith. He is looking for real faith.

The gospel is not: “Prove yourself worthy.”

The gospel is: “Trust Me enough to reach.”

     Maybe you came in today like the woman in our story. Between 2018 and 2022, there were over 1,300 visits to the ER in our county for substance abuse. Whether it’s you or someone you love, you know the tension of that question: “What will they say?”

Or maybe it’s not addiction. According to a 2023 report, 1 in 2 women and 1 in 3 men in Kentucky have experienced domestic violence. That means there are hearts in this room carrying wounds nobody else can see.

But here is the miracle—you are here. Just like the woman pressed through the crowd to get to Jesus, you have pressed through your own barriers to be here today. Do not let fear stop you now.

Your story may have you asking, “What will the church say?” But this story flips the question: “What will HE say?”

And here’s the answer: Jesus is who He says He is. Savior. Healer. Restorer. He did not rebuke the woman. He called her Daughter. He sent her away in peace. And He is waiting to say the same to you—right now.

     Picture the woman in our story—trembling, one hand reaching out in hope, her heart pounding with fear. That’s where some of us are today. Trembling. Afraid of rejection. Wondering what He will say.

But here’s the bottom line: Don’t let fear keep you from faith—because when you reach for Jesus, His word to you is always peace and healing.

This is your moment to reach.