The Touch

She was lost among the crowd which was just what she wanted.  It was an opportunity to position herself on the fringes, to watch and to wait for just the right moment.  While she must have felt that all eyes were upon her, she none-the-less tried to remain as inconspicuous as possible. 

Sickness defined her life, robbing her joy and strength.  In her country there was a lack of medical knowledge which resulted in a weird range of prescribed remedies.  In desperation she had tried many of them.    For instance, “Dig seven pits, and burn in them some vine branches not yet four years old. Then let the woman, carrying a cup of wine in her hand, come up to each pit in succession, and sit down by the side of it, and each time let the words be repeated: ‘Be free from thy sickness.’”   

Health in a third world country is extremely fragile.  We saw it played out in many different ways in Mexico where hospitals and clinics are assigned according to the economic status of the family.  When medical care is unavailable or unattainable, many turn to alternative practices. 

In her town that day was an extraordinary man with the reputation as a Healer.  After twelve years of hemorrhaging and growing worse, she was willing to let in a glimmer of hope.  “If only I can touch his clothes, I will be healed,” she thought to herself. 

Jesus was up and moving now.  A man named Jarirus had requested Jesus to come to his dying daughter.  This may be her only chance.  The crowds were moving with him.  She jostled with the crowd drawing closer.  Others were reaching out to touch him.  She pushed forward and touched his clothing.       

 

Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was free from suffering. 

Now if she could only quietly slip away…but no. Jesus had sensed healing power going out of him and was asking, “Who touched my clothes?”  He continued looking around to see who had touched him.   

Fear seized her.  She had been caught.  She knew what had just happened to her, and he knew.  Trembling she fell down at his feet and told him the whole truth expecting a rebuke. 

Instead she received a gentle affirmation.  “Daughter, your faith has healed you.  Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” 

Postscript:  There is room in my theology for a present day miracle of bodily healing, but God seems to instead give an extra measure of sufficient grace in the midst of the difficulty.   That is at least what he did for the apostle Paul when he asked for his “thorn” to be removed. 

The greater precedent is for healing deeper in and higher up.  God especially delights in a healing of the spirit and soul.

Given the opportunity, from what would you be set free?