To kick off our Summer Series on the miracles of Jesus, we are going to start with one of the most talked about miracles in the New Testament. The "woman with the issue of blood" is a popular story in the Gospels, and for me at least, a big part of this is due to her full faith that by just touching Jesus' clothes she would be healed. It is a level of faith that I strive to be at.
To give a short recap for anyone who has never read or heard the story, while Jesus is on His way to heal another man's daughter, a woman who has a blood flow problem makes her way to Him. We are informed that over the last twelve years she has spent all the money she has on going to countless doctors to be cured with no results. She touches the "hem of His garment" because she believes that this will heal her, and it does. Jesus turns around and talks with her. He tells her that her faith made her whole, and then He heads on His way to perform yet another miracle.
Let's look at the first part of the story to begin, He was actually on His way to heal someone else. Yet, He still took the time to handle this woman's problem and even talk with her. This tells me that Jesus is not too busy for me. Do you feel like God has too much to deal with to want to hear about your life? If so, this story can reassure you that there is enough of Him to go around, and He will 'turn around' for all of us just like He did for this woman. This also shows how relational our God really is. Jesus knew that just by touching Him she was healed, so He easily could have kept going on His way knowing she still received her miracle. BUT He wanted to see her and talk to her. That's love.
This woman carried this burden for twelve years of her life. I know we only see her miracle, so it is hard to imagine the agony of the last twelve years. Let's try though. Not only is she dealing with this blood problem, she also has no money. She was hurting financially by trying to solve her physical needs. She tried everything and found no answers. How frustrating would that be? I bet she was exhausted and disappointed and also lonely. In a Judah Smith sermon, I learned that the Mosaic Law demanded that she be isolated due to being unclean. So not only did she hurt physically and financially, she was probably hurting emotionally too. She's tried everything. Well almost everything.
I bet she had almost given up all hope until she heard of this Healer from Galilee. Could it be? Could He be the answer to all of her prayers? She placed her hope in Him and did not leave disappointed. Jesus healed her which took care of her physical need, He took the time to speak life to her which took care of her emotional need, and while Scripture does not mention her financial need again, I am sure eventually that worked out as well. Her most important need He met, though, was her spiritual one. After being alone for twelve years, she came face to face with the Great I Am, and it changed everything for her.
One touch. One moment. It just took one for her entire life to be changed, and it is no different today. I am not sure what your need is today. Maybe you have tried every way possible to be filled and find contentment in life, but you still have not found it. Be like this woman, and cling to hope in the Lord. If you or a family member are facing sickness, I pray for healing and want to encourage you that it still only takes one touch from Jesus. If you have never been saved, never made that choice to follow Jesus, then I want to tell you that one touch from Him will not only change your life but your eternity as well. This woman clearly heard about Jesus, and she could have just watched Him walk through the crowd; however, she would not have found healing that way. It took His touch for her life to change, and it is the same for all people today. Attending church or Bible study, having a verse in your social media bio, just being baptized, having Christian parents, or reading this blog will not save you. It is through faith in Jesus that you will be saved.
We are never told this woman's name, but she is well known even today for her steadfast faith in the power of Jesus. My prayer for us all is that we would be known for our faith just like this woman. If you would like to place your faith in Christ and receive His free gift of salvation, please email me or contact me on Instagram or Twitter. I would love to talk about this decision with you!
If you would like to read this story, it is found in Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, and Luke 8:43-48.
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