The Hem of His Garment

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. ⁴³ And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. ⁴⁴ She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

⁴⁵ “Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”

⁴⁶ But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”

⁴⁷ Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. ⁴⁸ Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

Luke 8:42-48

This is one of my favorite stories in the Bible!  I love the faith this woman had, don't you?  

The precious woman had been ill for twelve years.  Twelve years she had bled.  That sounds miserable, doesn't it?  She tried to get help.  No one could help her during that time.  But this woman knew that Jesus could help her.

Had she heard of his healing people and his miracles? 

Had she been waiting for him to come to her region?  

She knew she had to see him.  She knew she had to touch him - even if just she could barely get to him. Even if it was just the edge of his cloak.

Jesus knew immediately that power had gone out from him.  The woman was instantly healed.  After twelve long, long years.  What a change in her life!  What a burden had been lifted!

When Jesus asked who touched him, the woman could have been afraid and denied that she had been the one.  But she didn't.  She worshipped him.  She fell at his feet. She told him why she had touched him and how she was immediately healed.  Jesus commended the woman.  He was pleased by her faith.  He sent her away...in peace.  

What a celebration must have taken place in that woman's house that day!

Like this woman, we have sicknesses and illnesses.  Maybe our problem is worse....maybe it's less.  But, what are you and I doing about our problems.  Are we reaching out to Jesus?  Are you and I asking God to heal us?  Or are we trying to figure it all out on our own?  Are you and I leaving it to the earthly physicians or even to our own feelings on how we can be healed?

Jesus may be waiting for you and I to reach out for his power.  Our Heavenly Father is ready to reward our faith.  Perhaps He is waiting for you to ask Him to heal you.  Perhaps He is waiting for me to ask.  Or maybe He is telling you and I to wait.....that it's not our time to be healed.  Either way, we must reach out and touch Him.  We can feel His power in us.  He's expecting you and me.

Let's reach out in faith!