Reading: Luke 8:43-48
And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.
The miracle of the woman suffering from the issue of blood is an event that never fails to move me.
The event is in the midst of another story, that of Jairus and his daughter, in which we experience the power of Jesus as Lord even over death itself. As if it were a parenthesis, a side note. But it is never like that with Jesus.
The woman’s illness was incurable, and had even bankrupted her financially. Not only that but also, because of the nature of her illness, she was considered ritually impure (she could not touch anyone, she could not attend the synagogue, for example).
That helps us understand the desperation of this woman, who risks rejection and even assault to make her way to touch Jesus. Can this man accomplish what others have not been able to?
And she approaches, from behind, barely able to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. Is she prevented by the crowd? Is she not encouraged because of her impurity? But for Jesus she does not go unnoticed. And her life changes.
It is natural to be afraid when Jesus asks who touched him. And yet he is encouraged to speak in front of all the people. And now he hears the words of the Lord.
You did the right thing, you sought me, you put your faith in me. Go in peace.
MEDITATE: There is no one else to whom we can look with hope. This Jesus is worth seeking and following, only knowing Him is what is truly important, everything else makes real sense if He comes first. God bless you!
