The Woman Who Touched The Hem of His Garment- Luke 8:40-47

The day began like every other day, but instead of birds chirping outside my window, there were people racing down the street and yelling to bystanders, “It’s him! It really is him! Hurry, we must all hurry for he is only passing through town!”

Being set apart because of my unclean, sickly state has not allowed me to associate with others, I had no idea what the yellers meant. How I longed to know what the town was excited about and the diversion it would bring to everyone's lives. I just whispered a prayer, “Lord help me-I am so tired of missing out-what is happening?”

Just then I heard a little boy yelling through the door of his ailing grandfather’s home across the street. “Please, Grandpa arise from your mat and walk with me to meet Jesus. He heals the sick, the blind can see and the deaf can hear with just the touch of his hand! Please, Grandpa, please come and see with me. He is our hope!”

Who is this man called Jesus? I wondered. He can heal the sick? He must be a prophet of God! …With just the touch of his hand?!? Surely he won’t be able to touch anyone unclean.

How can I risk to defile such a great man if he is sent by God? Oh, but Lord, I am so lonely now for twelve years and have not a hope nor a penny left to find help. Could he be my hope too?

Could I receive a touch of grace through him? What if I only touch his garment, surely I can wrap myself well and sneak up to only touch his holy hem- who would know? Please Lord, may this be a gift from you!

I quickly gathered my thickest cloak with a hood knowing well that I would have to weave through the crowds to get to him because already the streets around my home were empty. All were by the town square near the fountains.

As I expected, throngs of people filled the road and in fact pressed up against one another even to the holy man. Being of slender stature and small enough to dodge under pressing arms, I edged my way closer and closer. I marveled that I could even see this Jesus come into my view. When all of a sudden he stopped, the leader of the local synagogue had fallen down at his feet pleading for Jesus to visit his home to save his twelve year old daughter who laid in a bed dying.

With everyone distracted, I leaped forward and touched the hem of his garment. Suddenly, a feeling of a whoosh and vibrancy flooded through my body, and I knew the flow of blood that has plagued me had stopped. I was touched by God and healed that instant. I quickly ducked out of view and was swallowed by the crowd when Jesus called out, “Who touched me?”

I stood frozen and scared and above all SILENT! Surely, others would speak up since many were touching him. The air was filled with pregnant silence, and then people denied touching him wondering if they would be in trouble. A big man next to Jesus said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”

Jesus responded gently, “ Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” I knew that I could not keep silent, and trembling I pushed forward again to the holy man. I dropped to his feet with tears of gratification explaining what I had done, and how I felt the healing occur. He gently raised me to my feet and lovingly said,“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”

Not only did I receive healing that day, but I received peace. Peace of mind was an even bigger gift than the physical one; he gave me more than I was seeking. He touched me that day, and he continues to touch those who reach out to Him for hope. He is our hope in all circumstances.

Be reminded, if we feel like we haven’t had a touch from God in a while, then reach out and touch Him. He will meet you and heal your issues.

Ephesian 3:20

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations for ever and ever!

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Questions For Reflection:

How often do you think you use the term, "If only..." or "When this happens..." or "If only I could..."

What steps can you do to "accept today" as a gift from the Lord and be at rest?

We tend to miss the "now" before us with the people around us in their present age ...and then one day the person is no longer that age or passed from us. Let your choice be to embrace what good there is in the day and not fill it with the stresses at hand.

How well do we accept a "no" or "wait" from our prayers? Do we find anxiety creeping in on our lives and robbing our joy in "our waiting" ? How well do you trust that God loves you greatly and has great future and a hope in store for you?

The Encounter painting by Daniel Cariola, located in Magdala

Further Thoughts:

Sometimes we seek an answer to prayer for a physical response when the Lord desires to work on the person’s emotional healing. People are often robbed of their peace and joy due to circumstances, and they live in the “If only I had…” or “If only I could…” or “When such and such happens….” Then I will be happy.

Due to their circumstances, they can’t enjoy their life and they are imprisoned or trapped in a certain unbecoming lifestyle. They must go to God for the chains to be cut and set free. Maybe someone is enduring a hidden pain or torment and no one knows the suffering. Seek after the one who can touch and heal. Just as this woman, He will use that person in their circumstances, and their lives can be a testimony to God for the way He delivers them out of the problems.

This woman’s healing came by way of her faith in the Lord Jesus’ ability to save her. She sought him out for a touch; a simple solution to a big problem is just going to Jesus with faith. With a single finger reaching out had changed her life…simply going to Jesus and reaching up in prayer for a touch can change your life.

The answer “no” is also an answer to prayer. We need to trust God’s “no” as we do His “yes” and sometimes it is to “wait"; our plans may even harm us and God knows this, and we must trust our lives to Him. These words Jesus spoke to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” Should be memorized by all, for sometimes we need to be reminded that “faith” to trust in the “no” or “wait” answer can heal us with peace- peace of mind and depression. Whether enduring someone passing from this life, healing or relief doesn't occur in an infirmity, or a relationship that didn’t work out can throw our thoughts into turmoil and unrest, but placing our trust in His promises like Romans 8:28. "For all things work for the good of those who trust in the Lord" will heal us and bring us into the life of a victorious Christian filled with His peace and joy. It is then that you have laid the path out for His will to unfold and bring you that future and hope you desire.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11

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Read the account as it is recorded in the Bible:

https://classic.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+8%3A40-48&version=NIV