There is a story in the new testament of a lady who had had been sick for a very long time.
She had suffered greatly for twelve years.
In that culture she was untouchable.
Untouchable.
Can you imagine not being touched for twelve years?
Can you imagine her suffering and her isolation?
Can you imagine her thoughts when she heard of a powerful healer
that perhaps was not far from her location?
“A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went,
because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick.”
John 6:2
Can you begin to imagine how she gathered the strength
she needed for the long journey to where he was?
She had heard he was a gentle man
who did miracles and changed lives.
It gave her hope for herself
and she needed to find him.
For if she did find him
she knew in her heart where her healing would come from.
She knew if she could just get close enough to touch the hem of his robe
her illness would be gone.
I don’t know what Jesus looks like but he could look like this.
I believe he is very approachable.
I believe we will feel safe with him when we are in his presence.
I believe he is full of warmth and compassion.
I believe he shows the love of the father
in all things and through all things.
In Matthew 9 of the new testament; one version of the story is recorded.
{He was teaching a group of people when a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his robe.
She said to herself, “If I only touch his robe, I will be healed.”
Jesus turned and saw her.
“Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.”
And the woman was healed at that moment.}
In Luke 8 of the new testament more is recorded about the same story.
(Have you ever been in a very large crowd with a mass of people pressing against you pushing and shoving as you all go in the same direction?
it is a horrible feeling)
{As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.
And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her.
She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.”
But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
(Isn’t it interesting that he could feel the power leaving?
I am sure others touched him but not in the way she did)
Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed,
came and trembling fell at his feet.
In the presence of all the people,
she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.
Then he said, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” }
Can you imagine having Jesus heal you in such a way?
Can you imagine having him look at you with deep intense eyes
that are eternally wise and holy
and calling you daughter or son?
I don’t know what Jesus looks like;
I believe he is very different than anyone we have ever met.
I imagine his eyes are piercing as he looks deep into
the soul who sees them.
I imagine he is approachable and full of love.
I find it interesting that all she wanted to do
was to touch his robe
she didn’t expect him to talk to her
or even notice her
she didn’t draw attention to herself
she just wanted to touch his robe.
To her surprise this gentle man took notice.
To her surprise he spoke to her.
I wonder how her life changed
after she saw him.
I wonder when she shared the story
about when she was healed
did she include the part where
he asked
“who touched me?”
It is a story of healing and hope
and of love and miracles.
It is a story of a SAVIOR who asked,
“who touched me” and a woman who took the risk.
