Faith Against the System: The Woman Who Broke Every Rule for a Miracle

The story of the woman with the issue of blood is not just a miraculous healing—it is a revelation of who Jesus is, how faith works, and how divine power flows freely in response to desperation and belief. This account holds deeper layers of symbolism, revealing the heart of the gospel and the transformative nature of faith in Christ.

Jesus: The Source of Unstoppable Power

One of the most striking details in this story is that Jesus did not consciously initiate this miracle. Unlike many of His other healings, where He touched the sick or spoke a word of healing, this time, His power moved without His explicit command.

Luke 8:46 (KJV) – "And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me."

The Greek word for "virtue" here is dynamis—the same word used for miraculous power, divine might, and supernatural ability. This shows that Jesus' power is alive, active, and responsive to faith. Jesus was surrounded by a crowd, yet only one person received power from Him. The difference? Faith. She wasn’t just there—she was reaching for Him with everything she had.

This moment reveals that Jesus does not ration out power like a limited resource. Instead, His power flows freely to those who approach Him in faith. There is no reluctance, no hesitation—faith unlocks access to His boundless supply.

The Symbolism of Her Bleeding: Unclean, Isolated, and Out of Options

The woman’s condition was not just physical—it was spiritual, social, and emotional.

According to Leviticus 15:25-27, a woman with prolonged bleeding was considered ritually unclean under the Law. Anything she touched became unclean. Anyone she touched became unclean. She was effectively cut off from society, worship, and relationships.

This means that for twelve long years, she lived in isolation, shame, and rejection. She could not go to the temple to worship. She could not be in close contact with family or friends. She had spent all her money on doctors, yet no one could heal her (Luke 8:43).

She represents humanity in its fallen state—weak, 
unclean, desperate, and out of options.

Just as she had no way to cleanse herself, we cannot cleanse ourselves from sin. Just as she was excluded from the temple, our sin separates us from God. Just as she had tried everything else, humanity tries everything—good works, religion, self-improvement—but none of it stops the bleeding.

Yet, in her desperation, she broke through every legal and societal barrier to reach Jesus.

• By law, she should have stayed home.

• By tradition, she should have accepted her condition.

• By every logical standard, she should not have touched Jesus.

But faith does not submit to fear, legalism, or limitations.

She didn’t wait for an invitation—she reached out and took hold of Jesus.

The Power of Intentional Faith

She didn’t accidentally brush against Jesus—she went after Him with intent.

• Faith is not passive.

• Faith acts.

• Faith presses through the crowd, ignoring fear, shame, and rejection, to take hold of Jesus.

Her faith was bold, unashamed, and relentless. She knew Jesus was her only hope. If she could just touch Him, she would be healed. This is the essence of saving faith—it is not just believing Jesus exists, but grasping onto Him as the only source of life.

Jesus said to her:

"Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace" (Luke 8:48).

Notice that Jesus called her daughter—restoring her identity. He acknowledged her faith—it wasn’t the touch that healed her, but her faith. He sent her away in peace—her healing wasn’t just physical, but spiritual and emotional.

Proximity to Jesus Alone Does Not Transform

This is one of the most overlooked but critical lessons in this story: Many people were touching Jesus, but only one was transformed. The crowd surrounded Jesus, pressing against Him, yet they remained unchanged. Only the woman who reached out with faith and desperation received His power.

This is a warning to those who are near Jesus,

yet never receive from Him.

You can go to church and never be transformed. You can know about Jesus but never experience His power. You can be close to the things of God but never have faith to reach for Him.

It is not proximity to Jesus that changes lives—it is faith.

Jesus Overcomes the Law with Grace

Under the Old Covenant, the law stated that an unclean woman’s touch defiled others. But when she touched Jesus, He was not defiled—she was cleansed. This is a foreshadowing of the gospel:

Sinful humanity cannot contaminate Christ—instead, Christ’s holiness transforms sinful humanity. The law could not save her, but Jesus did. She was powerless, but Jesus was powerful. She was an outcast, but Jesus called her daughter.

This is the great exchange of the gospel: Our weakness for His strength.Our uncleanness for His purity. Our desperation for His fullness. This woman’s story is our story. We are all spiritually unclean. We are all bleeding from wounds we cannot heal. We are all desperate, weak, and out of options. But faith is the only hand that takes hold of Jesus.

Hebrews 11:6 – "But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

She diligently sought Him—and was rewarded. She pressed through every obstacle—and was healed.

She stopped trying to fix herself—and simply took hold of Jesus. And that is what He is calling us to do today.

Rejoice! His Power is Enough!

Please know—if you find yourself in a place where your healing feels unclean, dirty, hopeless, or like you should just stay home—isolated, ashamed, and alone—this is a strategy of the enemy. The enemy’s goal is to back you into a dark corner, to keep you fighting alone, drowning in shame, and hyper-aware of your situation—so that you won’t press through to Jesus.

But now is the time to break the barriers the enemy is building.Now is the time to knock the wall down.

Press through. Reach out. Surround yourself with faith-filled believers who will stand with you.

The woman in this story didn’t let the laws, the shame, or the crowd stop her. Neither should you. You are exactly who Jesus came for. You are the one He wants to heal. You are the one who can receive His power. There is no condition too unclean, no past too broken, and no failure too great for Jesus to redeem. His power is enough—and faith is all you need to take hold of Him.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You, Lord God, for this timely word for Your people. Where I have been passive, give me boldness. Where I have listened to voices that say I can’t, show me how I can—with You. Help me to dismantle every limit standing in the way of my healing and every promise You have spoken over my life.

Every voice that sounds logical and helpful yet is a hindrance—because it is full of doubt, lacking faith, or rooted in the world’s way rather than the supernatural understanding of Your Word and power—silence them for me.

The joy of the Lord is my strength, so I ask for more of Your joy, knowing that in it, I am strong. You are my fortress, my refuge, and my banner, and I stand in full faith that You have me surrounded and protected.

Help me doubt my doubts and dismantle every fear that holds me back so that Your healing power—Your supernatural, dynamis power—does not just overwhelm my situation, but transforms my entire life and the future of those around me.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Amanda Allen, the author of Kingdom Revelations, holds the copyright to her work, art, graphics, and videos. Copyright © Amanda Allen, Kingdom Revelations, 2025. All rights reserved. This article may be shared with acknowledgment of the author and the original source.