But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” Luke 8:46
Many people have heard of this account in Luke where the woman with the issue of blood for 12 years was healed while He was on His way to heal Jairus’ daughter. But like most Scripture there is a depth to this account beyond the surface. The first point is that many miss the determination in this woman. She had nothing left in her life. No one was able to help her and in the process of trying to solve her problem the world’s way she was left more broken than before in every way. She had one hope left, Jesus.
But, she was considered unclean, and just being out in public could cost her, her life. And she wanted to live, truly live. She knew in her heart if she could get to Jesus, she would not only experience healing, but be restored in every way. So what made her have such belief? Well she probably heard about Jesus and how all who reached out to Him, He healed, set free from demon possession, and the captivity of their “lot in life”. The twelve years of being stolen from and taken advantage of, being the proverbial black sheep of the community, the physical weakness and not being able to go to the Temple to worship all have taken their toll.
What did she have to lose, the thronging crowd was huge, no one would ever know. But what she didn’t realize was that since her focus was on Jesus, His love, compassion, grace and mercy, it placed her in a position to receive. That’s why when she reached out to touch just the hem of His prayer shawl He could feel power leave Him. And since she came up behind Him He wanted to know who touched Him. Why? Because this woman had been living on the fringe of society she felt she had to act in secret because she wasn’t worthy of looking at Him. But Jesus wanted her to look into His eyes of love and grace and know that her reaching out to Him not only healed her but made her whole once again. He wanted her to know she was once again accepted and she was loved.
Are you feeling like an outsider, lonely, not understood or accepted? Is your heartbreaking or world falling apart? Then step out and reach out to Jesus He has the same healing power now as He did then. He’s waiting for you to trust in Him and believe Him. Look in His beautiful face and see the love in His eyes and receive all that He died and rose again to give you. Let Him make you whole again so you can truly live.
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