Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ” But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”
Luke 8:43-48
Luke who is usually more detailed slips this beautiful vignette into this information packed section. Jesus had freed the demoniac at the Gadarenes. He was on His way to heal Jairus’ daughter when this interruption to His ministry stopped His momentum. Jesus almost seems annoyed when He asked who had touched Him but He is looking for the faithful woman who touched Him. Everyone in the crowd was denying they had touched Him when in fact many had touched Him in the throng. Peter noted that the crowd had been jostling Him along and asked if He was seriously trying to figure who had touched Him. Jesus clarified that He was looking for the one who had touched Him in faith. The women came forth afraid; she fell to the ground and told Him what she had done. Jesus encouraged her faith, then He sent her on her way in peace.
What I especially appreciate about Jesus in this passage is that even though He is being hustled about and is on a crisis mission for Jairus, He still takes time for a woman of faith. The woman who was unclean (not supposed to touch anyone), had no money because she had spent it all on doctors, and she had no social standing as a woman was not unimportant to Jesus. He took the time to hear her story and to acknowledge her faith. When I am outcast, poor, and sick I know I can count on Him to take time out with me.
Thanks for Your deep compassion on me Jesus. I am blessed by Your personal care for me. Help me to remember to reach for You in my distress.
In His Peace,
Pastor Jason
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