Reach Out In Faith

“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. Then He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.’” Luke 8:47-48

I pondered today the story of the woman who had been sick for 12 years. We know that more than likely, she had been hemorrhaging as it talks of her having an issue of bleeding. In those times a woman was considered unclean when she was on her monthly cycle or beyond. (Leviticus 15) That meant that she could not associate with, sit with, go to church with, shop with, or even be in the same house as other believers. (this particular set of scriptures goes on my list of things to ask about when I get to see God)

If you notice, she does not go looking for Christ in a place where she would be easily recognized. Because it was well known among her family and friends that she was unclean, she probably had to journey to another town so that she would not be known to everyone. She wanted to blend in with the crowd, not stand out in any way. But as most women know, if she had “an issue of bleeding” for 12 years, she was probably weak, tired, and very frail. It no doubt took every ounce of her strength to immerse herself in a crowd of pushing, jostling, and predominantly male people.

She did not need to talk to Him or make a big show of asking for His healing touch. She did not want anyone to even know she was there. She did not make a big public production of her illness although it said that many had tried to heal her. (8:43) I am sure the prayers of her friends and family had long since slowed to a crawl since there seemed to be no chance she would ever get well. I would imagine her girlfriends had switched to praying for her to have strength to get through the day or that she would have peace in her circumstance. Up until she heard about Christ and His miracles, she had no doubt given up hope that God even knew who she was anymore.

But in the space of an afternoon, on a dusty road through a crazed mob of people, she pushed and shoved her way to a space just large enough for her to reach her hand through and touch His robe. Perhaps up until He turned around, she had not even been able to see His face. She just knew, with all that was inside her, that He was the one who could do what no one else had been able to do. I have no doubt that she had planned no farther than that exact moment. It did not occur to her that this would not work. Her faith was that strong.

When Christ turned to ask who had touched Him, can you imagine her fear? Was He going to have her publicly humiliated? Was He going to point out to the crowd that an unclean woman had dared to sully His garments? It says she was “trembling and fell at His feet.” I would imagine she was probably sobbing at this point, fearing the worst punishment for what was a crime in those times. All of her faith and strength and courage deserted her, leaving shaking on the ground.

After she told Him what she had done, can you imagine her relief what He told her to “go in peace”? Yet even more profound was that He did not say to her that He had healed her. He told her that “your faith has healed you.” For in her faith, she shows us two things. One, that it is not necessary to be in the perfect setting to receive His mercy and two, that our struggle may take us to the very edge of our endurance, with us having to use every ounce of our strength to reach out in faith.

Dearest Father God, We are so grateful for Your Mercy when we reach out to You. We know that You are Jehovah Rapha, God who Heals. Our lives are Yours to plan and guide. Let us keep You at the forefront of everything we do. We praise You for everything You have given us, even when we don’t deserve it. In the Name of Christ Jesus, Amen

copyright2013, Michelle Welch, team member of Breath Of Life Women's Ministries
photography by Michelle Welch except the two pictures featuring women reaching for His hem. I could not find the artists names for those pieces. They were found on the internet.
Scripture from NIV1984 Bible