Just one touch (2)

“And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” Matt 9 20-22

In these verses from Matthew’s gospel we read about a woman whose life is changed radically when she manages to touch just the hem of Jesus’ garment.

Just like the leper in Just one touch..this woman also lived in isolation as she was deemed unclean because of her continual blood loss. She was ostracised from her community and stigmatised by her disease. She could not go to the Synagogue to worship. Anyone she touched would become ceremonially unclean and would then need to go through the prescribed cleansing process under the law.

She had lived like this for 12 long years.

We don’t know about her life before she became ill, but we know that everything changed for the worst in her life when disease ravaged her body.

This was a desperate woman who took a tremendous risk to touch Jesus in these circumstances. There was a great throng of people all pressing around Jesus as he was on his way to the house of Jairus whose daughter was seriously ill. It was so dangerous for this woman to venture out there in that crowd, hiding her identity, but she was prepared to take the risk.

This woman had tried everything to be made well. She has spent her money on different doctors and treatments but all to no avail. She has become worse not better. She has lived with disappointment.

This woman was so brave. If those around her in the crowd had discovered her then it would not have been a good outcome.She risked everything for that one touch of Jesus’ garment. She knew she shouldn’t touch Jesus’s person and so perhaps she was hoping that just touching the hem would not be noticed but would be enough to make her well. That is amazing faith and she was instantly healed.

Jesus did not let the moment pass. He paused to take time for her. She was noticed. Jesus publicly announced that she was now healed. She was no longer unclean and her new life was now beginning. She came to Jesus secretly in desperation, shame and fear but Jesus made sure that everyone knew that she had been healed. He restored her position in society and brought her back into relationship again.

Jesus is never too busy. Jesus will make time for you today. You may feel insignificant and overlooked but reach out to Jesus today in faith and Jesus will meet you. He knows what you need and Jesus is in the restoration and healing business.