From The Bible: Luke 8:43-48
This woman was struggling with a medical issue for 12 years. Her health condition had left her deemed unclean. When viewed as unclean no one would touch her or they too would be considered unclean. So, not only was she dealing with the effects of a medical condition but also rejected by those around her.
She took a bold step of faith to press in amongst a crowd of people in order to get near Jesus. She was placing herself in a position where she may touch others. She was desperate for her healing and she had hope that this Jesus, this Messiah would change her life and bring her healing.
Still she did not touch Jesus but just the hem of his garment. She did not want to make him impure by contact with her.
That Jesus insisted to know who had touched him is meaningful, friends. Jesus was insistent that part of her healing was being acknowledged and brought into contact with him. Jesus was the first to accept her. Jesus was bringing her back from her isolation.
Friends, when we act in faith, when we are willing to press in and seek him, Jesus will bring healing, hope, and he will see you.
What am I willing to do to receive a touch of the Lord?
Am I willing to press in against the crowd for a quiet touch?
Do I believe that Jesus offers me hope when all else has failed?
When I managed a group home for medically fragile children and youth I saw a miracle that changed me. There was a resident who was living in this specialized care home to meet his needs for most of his elementary school years. He was non-verbal, g-tube fed, and in a wheelchair unable to walk. Over the years he was able to stand up and stand in one place and he could do some crawling around the house. But, in grade 8 a miracle was happening. Something within him shifted and he was able to begin taking steps for the first time in his life.
We practiced quietly with him for months. And on his Grade 8 graduation this young man walked down the aisle for the first time ever and his graduation goal for the future was to learn to run. There was not a dry eye in the room as we all knew that his getting this far was years of therapy, work, and a miracle all the same.
God can do wonders in your life. Believe in Him. Trust Him. Spend time in His presence and lean in. Sometimes it takes years of therapy and work quietly happening behind the scenes. Other times it is quick. But, you too can find healing for your soul and you can walk in hope.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for using this woman’s story to remind us that you see us. You do not count us as unclean or unworthy. Instead, you show us that we are made clean through contract with you and through faith in who you are.
Jesus, today we draw near to you in faith. We lean in and seek more of you. Help us to walk in hope, keeping in step with you each day. Amen.
Dawn Berry
Executive Assistant
