The Jesus Podcast

Episode: Chronic: Jesus & The Woman With Blood
Date: October 24, 2025
Host: Zach (Pray.com)

Episode Overview

This episode explores the story of Jesus and the woman suffering from chronic bleeding, a powerful narrative of shame, faith, outcast status, and miraculous healing. Blending cinematic storytelling and thoughtful theological reflection, the episode dramatizes the woman’s struggle and encounter with Jesus, then expands to themes of chronic pain, faith, and the courage to accept transformation. The host also encourages listeners to reflect on their own "chronic ailments"—physical, spiritual, or emotional—and the barriers that sometimes keep us from healing, even when it is offered.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

A Personalized Opening Prayer (00:01)

• The Narrator opens with a prayer, reflecting on Luke 8:48 and God’s intimate love and attentiveness to individual suffering.
• Emphasizes that God sees each person uniquely, not as a faceless crowd.
• “In your eyes, we find a love so profound that it reaches into the depths of our despair and lifts us into the light of your grace.”

The Plight of Eliana—the Woman with Chronic Bleeding (02:05 – 04:49)

• Social and Emotional Isolation

  • Eliana has suffered for twelve years, forced into poverty and odd jobs, regarded as unclean, and cut off from community life.
  • “Because of you, none of us can worship for the festival. We have to wash ourselves because of your disobedience.” (Crowd Member, 02:34)

• Desperation and Prayer

  • Alone, bathing in a stream, Eliana’s internal anguish and her prayer is highlighted: “Adonai, Please help me.” (Eliana, 03:45)

• A Ray of Hope: Jesus Approaches

  • The background commotion signals Jesus’ arrival, sending a wave of anticipation through the village.
  • Eliana debates if she, as an outcast, has any hope of even being noticed by Jesus:
    • “Would he be willing to even look in the direction of an unclean woman and outcast?” (Narrator, 04:51)

The Host’s Theological Framing (08:03)

• The Unstoppable Force vs. Immovable Object Metaphor
  • Host Zach introduces the challenge with chronic conditions not just as physical, but as emotional and spiritual, likening our resistance to God’s healing work to being “the immovable object.”
  • “The only thing that can hinder God from working in our lives is our own opposition to it. When we humble ourselves … nothing can stop Him.” (Zach, 08:11)
• Preview of Dual Narratives
  • The episode will also touch on the man at Bethesda, signifying how people can become ‘stuck’—resigned to illness or defeat after years without relief.

The Encounter: Eliana’s Pursuit and Healing (10:12 – 17:20)

• Struggling Through Barriers

  • Visual storytelling emphasizes the chaos of the crowd, Eliana’s pain and shame.
    • “Her illness ravaged every inch of her body and stole precious years of her youth.” (Narrator, 10:46)
  • Her determination to reach Jesus for healing, risking social shame and ritual impurity.

• The Healing Touch (13:04 – 15:21)

  • “Just the hem of his robe. If I could just reach his garment, then I'll be healed.” (Eliana, 13:04)
  • Eliana demonstrates both vulnerability and faith, touching Jesus’ robe and immediately experiencing healing.
  • Jesus publicly recognizes her, not to shame but to affirm:
    • “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” (Jesus/Narrator, 15:20)
  • The moment restores not only her body but her sense of belonging and dignity.

• Transformation and Joy

  • The description of Eliana’s physical and emotional restoration is palpable:
    • “She was finally free, not just of her ailment, but the chronic shame that accompanied it.” (Narrator, 17:12)

Deep-Dive Devotional Reflection: When Healing Is Harder Than It Seems (20:02 – 29:44)

• The Paralytic at Bethesda: Do You Truly Want to Be Healed?
  • The host recounts the story of the paralyzed man by the Pool of Bethesda, highlighting how prolonged suffering can create misplaced comfort or learned helplessness.
  • “He had remained at the pool … it represented a sliver of hope, but it had become somewhat comfortable.” (Zach, 20:47)
• The Question of Desire and Readiness
  • Zach explores why Jesus asks, “Do you want to be made well?”—pointing out that making excuses is common when drastic change feels hard or uncertain.
  • “When Jesus asked the question … we can eliminate any excuses … All we have to do is think deeply and answer yes, no.” (Zach, 21:33)
• Active Participation in Healing
  • Healing is both a miracle and a challenge—requiring faith but also a willingness to step forward:
    • “We get to be active participants in the change that he wants to ignite in our lives.” (Zach, 23:47)
• Overcoming Excuses with Trust
  • Encouragement to trust Jesus’ authority—a trust rooted in both his compassion and power:
    • “The road to restoration begins by trusting in him, whether we see what's ahead or not.” (Zach, 22:52)
• Proclamation and Testimony
  • Listeners are invited to joyfully share what Jesus has done, “walking with confidence,” echoing Psalm 103 as a call to remember and declare God’s acts.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Individual Worth and Divine Attention
  • “You see us, Lord, not as a crowd, but as individuals with our own stories of need and hope.”
    – Narrator, Opening Prayer (00:07)
• On the Courage to Seek Healing
  • “Just the hem of his robe. If I could just reach his garment, then I'll be healed.”
    – Eliana, (13:04)
  • “Your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
    – Jesus/Narrator, (15:20)
• On Excuses and Readiness
  • “Excuses have never gotten us anywhere. All they do is postpone finding healing and resolution to our problems.”
    – Zach (22:45)
• On Participating in our Own Healing
  • “He has already provided healing when he commands him to get up. But the man will only truly experience the blessing … if he actually takes a step forward.”
    – Zach (24:41)
• On Sharing Testimony
  • “We get to walk with our testimony of healing and restoration and redemption. We get to joyfully tell others what Jesus has done in our lives.”
    – Zach (26:50)

Important Timestamps

• 00:01 – 02:00 | Opening prayer and introduction of theme
• 02:05 – 04:49 | Dramatized introduction of Eliana’s life as an outcast
• 10:09 – 17:20 | Dramatic retelling of Eliana’s pursuit of Jesus and her healing
• 20:02 – 29:44 | Devotional reflections: readiness for healing, spiritual “comfort zones,” and Christ’s authority
• Notable Quote Moments:
  • 13:04 – Eliana’s statement of faith (“Just the hem of his robe…”)
  • 15:20 – Jesus’ pronouncement of healing and peace

Conclusion & Invitation

The episode beautifully weaves together narrative drama and spiritual application, asking listeners to reflect on their willingness to be healed and engage in faith-driven transformation. The woman’s story is both literal and metaphorical—a powerful reminder that, in Christ, no one is too far gone, and that even after years of pain or disappointment, healing and new beginnings are possible.

The host closes with encouragement to not only trust Jesus with our brokenness, but to courageously share our stories, proclaim healing, and step boldly into the restoration Christ offers.