Let us consider a woman who was healed instantly of having a continual bleeding or continual menstrual cycle. This woman's story is recorded in Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 6:24-34 and Luke 8:43-48 . As you read each gospel you will notice that each writer gives the reader different pieces of information concerning her illness and plight.
The story of this woman begins with Jesus returning to Capernaum and when He returned the people were waiting for Him. While Jesus was teaching, or walking through the town Jarius, the synagogue ruler came to Jesus and pleaded with Him to come to his house and heal his daughter who was only 12 yrs old, she was sick and dying. According to Matthew, Jesus was teaching, Mark says that Jesus was by the lake and Luke explains that Jesus had just arrived.
Whatever the situation -Jesus was in Capernaum and there were so many people that it is said they were pressing and crushing in and around Him. As Jesus was walking to the man's home this woman was frantically trying to reach out and touch the One who could heal her.
Because she "had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her"Lk 8:43 and she "had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had" Mk.5:26 . This woman not only suffered a debilitating physical illness and had spent all her money on medicine and doctor visits but; she suffered mentally and socially as well. When a woman was on her menstrual cycle she was considered unclean. (Leviticus 15:19-30) and if anyone touched her or even sat down where she had sat down that person was also considered ceremonially unclean. Furthermore, during a woman's cycle she was forbidden to go to synagogue until "she is cleansed from her discharge, she must count off seven days, and after that she will be ceremonially clean. On the 8th day she must take two doves or two pigeons and bring them to the priest." Lev. 15:28-29 This woman lived in constant humiliation of being considered "ceremonially unclean" her financial circumstances and physical well being were under a constant attack. How she endured is beyond any one's imagination. Being treated as an outcast and shunned everyday for twelve years is more than most people could endure.
Jesus got up to go to this mans home and as he was walking to the man's home the "crowds "almost crushed him." Lk.8:42 She was in the crowds that were following Jesus and she "thought, if I just/or only touch his clothes, I will be healed." Mk 5:28 This woman was unmovable in her faith and would not give up in her pursuit to touch Him. She fought her way through the crowds just to try to reach out and touch his garment. She knew that her only hope rested upon this man and what He could do for her. She knew deep within her that what she needed was in this man who was the Messiah. He was the only one who could heal her and save her. Her faith and belief was strong and when she reached out and by only touching his garment she was healed!
The moment that she was healed Jesus turned and said, "Who touched me?" Mk.5:31 It is written that he had felt the power leave his body. He must have known that someone had been healed. After she seen that she could not go unnoticed she come forward and told the truth and explained what had taken place and her past situation. Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."Mk.5:34 He called her daughter-which is a very tender address and is not used anywhere else in the recorded words of Jesus. Why did he call her daughter? What did Jesus see inside her that pulled at his heart strings that He would call her daughter? Was it because she had suffered for so long? I don't think so..many people in the New Testament had suffered many years and Jesus did not address them in such a tender manner. I believe it was because she was living out her faith. Her faith did not require Jesus to come to her house or lay His hands on her- all she needed to be made whole was to touch the garment that He was wearing. Maybe it was because she would not give up and kept pushing herself toward Him and would not allow her faith to be shaken. Her love and faith which is believing is what drew Jesus to address her in this tender and affectionate manner. We should reach out to touch Jesus every day. We must press through the problems of our daily life and touch the hem of His garment. Push past obstacles that are in our minds and hearts and touch the One who can heal and restore us. The Greek word healed used in the context that Jesus used this word actually means saved in the Greek language. The moment she touched His garment this woman was not only healed of her illness, she was also healed in her soul. Her faith in Jesus brought about her salvation. She was set free of her suffering and enabled to live a life of freedom.
Make the time today to reach out and touch Jesus.
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