Faith That Reaches Out
One morning a woman who had been suffering for twelve long years woke up with more than just hope. I imagine she stepped out of her bed and her feet touched the floor with anticipation for the day. I picture her running to get dressed. As water splashed on her face, she replayed the glorious news her ears had heard. I sometimes wonder how she felt the first moment she heard the news as it was proclaimed throughout the town. Jesus was going to be passing by. The man who was known to be the Son of God, the Messiah was going to be near.
The Bible does not tell us a lot about the woman in suffering but she makes such an impact on the story of faith.
We know of her condition of bleeding for twelve long years. We can imagine the agony this must have brought her. The inconvenience in life to have non-stop bleeding. I think about all the doctors she had already sought help from for her condition and my heart aches for her as I think of the repeated disappointment of never finding a remedy. I am sure she was no stranger to prayer.
But then she heard that Jesus would be passing by. I wonder if her heart skipped a beat knowing that this was her chance. This was her answer to healing. The determination to see him as she left her home that morning must have been so strong. Did she run to join the crowds or did she walk with caution wondering how it would all play out?
I tend to lean towards her being a woman with a plan. She knew the crowd would be large, how would she get to him? Would she be willing to crawl? You bet she would! For she said to herself “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed” Matthew 9:21. This kind of self talk does not come from a women who is above crawling to her savior!
There she found herself following behind him in the crowd. Catching glimpses of him from behind. He was in route to a synagogue leader’s house whose name was Jairus and whose little daughter was dying. The people in the crowd were pushing and pressing to be close to him and in the midst of them was this woman.
And then it happened…..she had made it close enough to reach out with her fingertips and touch “the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.” Luke 8:44
I think it is important to note two things that simultaneously happened aside from the healing. First, there was an act of faith. This woman not only believed but she did something with her belief. She reached for Jesus. Her faith reached for Jesus.
And second, Jesus noticed her. Think of how many people were already touching him. Luke 8:42 says “As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.”
But he noticed her and not only did he notice her but he sought her out right back. He asked “Who touched me?”
Can you imagine this scene? The crowd parts a little to the left and a little to the right as Jesus turns around and there she is. “Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet.” Luke 8:47
Her savior had noticed her. I love that for a couple of moments the only two people who knew what had just happened were this woman and Jesus.
What followed were words that I believe this woman carried with her for the rest of her life. A moment in time that she felt peace like she never had before.
“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” Luke 8:48
Faith brought her to Jesus. Faith brought her to healing.
This story greatly encourages me and I hope it does you too! It also reminds me to follow through with my faith. To reach out with my faith. To seek Jesus out.
We all are desperate to touch the edge of His cloak aren’t we?
So reach out for Him. He will notice you.
Her Love for Him
