Introduction
Jesus is available to us
24/7. Sometimes, where we sense our need, we just need to actively reach out to
him. We can come to know him personally. We can learn all about him in the
Gospels. Jesus led a generous life of giving – and that continues to this day.
Let us receive all of what he has for us. Sometimes this will be different to
what we want, but it will always be the best on offer. When we can’t find what
we need anywhere else, Jesus will have something for us. Sometimes we don’t
know what is actually best, because we can’t see the future, and we can’t know
the big picture clearly enough! But, in the spirit of trust, we can just reach
out to Jesus. And, we have this wonderful example in the Gospels, where a very
desperate and lonely lady – receives complete restoration.
Text
Twelve years is a long time
to suffer like this woman was (v 25). Her severe bleeding was some form of
menstrual irregularity – an ongoing haemorrhage. Doctors may have promised her
a variety of treatments and cures, but the fact that they didn’t work – made
this woman feel worse, and the situation seemed more hopeless (v 26). And,
going from doctor to doctor, she had become completely impoverished (in her
endeavours). This was all a completely shattering experience! Sometimes we look
in the wrong places for our well-being, when the real answer is right in front
of us. Not to say we shouldn’t see a doctor when we need one – of course we
should see a doctor when we are sick. But reading between the lines here, in a
spiritual sense, we see that our real and deepest needs will only be satisfied
by Jesus.
When considering this
incident, we need to factor in … all the associated stigmas this woman would
have to endure. According to Levitical law, such a constant flow of blood would
make her ritually impure, and therefore restrict her access to conventional
society. She would become a social pariah – an outcast. She would therefore be
unable to attend the synagogue – perhaps be excommunicated … socially and
spiritually cut off. There seemed to be no hope of bearing children –
devastating (especially in the culture of the time … where many would view her
to be rendered useless). This would be grounds enough for her husband to
divorce her (and her family to reject her). Rather than receiving emotional
support – those that she may have thought would help her, could actually have
rejected her.
A dozen years of this! This
woman would seemingly be in … what would appear … a hopeless situation. Healing
seemed unachievable and totally out of reach. But then – there was Jesus – and
one touch of his clothes!! In a way, this woman was driven to Jesus … as the
only possible source of relief (from her suffering) left open to her! We read
in verse 27, that this woman had “heard about Jesus”. But … what had she heard
about Jesus? It must have been good! For she was able to make this bold
statement – “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well” (v 28). Yet,
although she was extremely desperate, and had heard really good things about
Jesus – it would still take great courage to enter such a large crowd … and
seek to touch a man like Jesus! Remember … this woman was a social outcast –
vehemently rejected by broad society.
Still … “if I but touch his
clothes, I will be made well”. This is a serious level of ‘believing’ in Jesus!
And there is a sense of real faith here, because the word translated “made
well”, could also be translated “made whole” – meaning that there may have been
more than just physical healing in this woman’s mind. She would know that such
healing would have the potential to change her life situation entirely! There
might have just been the thought here … that Jesus could bring complete
restoration to her life! Or perhaps, it was just the fact of believing
in Jesus in one way, that opened the pathway for Jesus to do an even
greater work in her life. Maybe this statement was even more true … than she
would have ever imagined. The woman said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will
be made well” (v 28). Whatever she was thinking, this was spot-on!!
We ourselves don’t lack for
good information about Jesus – but do we take up the opportunity that this
woman did? Look at this woman – she is an inspiration! The crowd was so large,
Jesus so important and busy, and she so abandoned and reviled – people around
would likely be offended that she was prepared to contaminate Jesus (with her
uncleanness). But this woman knew what she had to do! Just a touch would have
to be enough; yet, in her mind it would be enough – and it was
enough! “In her weakened condition, forcing her way through this suffocating
mob would have been extraordinarily difficult, yet she claws her way forward”
(Bill Crowder).
There was faith on show here
… in at least two ways. First, she believed that she only had to touch Jesus’
clothes, and if she could just muster the courage to get past some of this
crowd and touch Jesus – that would be enough for her to be healed. Secondly,
she was also anticipating how she would feel different, and was expectant about
a good outcome – in verse 29 we read, “… and she felt in her body that she was
healed of her disease”. This was an immediate, complete and permanent cure –
she expected it and instantly knew it! It’s one thing to ask – it’s another to
believe it will happen. This is how Jesus could commend her faith, and say that
this is why she had been “made well” (v 34).
For this particular woman,
her healing happened immediately. I’m not sure how long it will take for anyone
else, or what sort of healing will be provided. It doesn’t always turn out to
be physical healing that we receive; but when we express faith like this, it’s
always God best for us that we receive! We would each need to consider what
God’s will might be for us. One thing I can say for sure, is that if we reach
out to Jesus, something good will happen. Why wouldn’t we reach out to Jesus?!
We shouldn’t be shy – nor backwards in coming forwards.
Jesus was actually in the
middle of dealing with the problems of an important synagogue official, but
that didn’t deter this woman. She saw Jesus and was NOT going to miss her
opportunity. Jesus could handle all of the interruptions this day, and would
later go on to raise Jairus’ daughter. It can’t be … that any thought of Jesus
being too holy would stop us – for this is the point of the incarnation – Jesus
took on flesh and blood so that there could be a special connection and
understanding between us and God. Jesus was NOT worried about any contamination
… that day … or any day. This woman understood that the very persona of Jesus
portrayed a loving welcome.
Now, Jesus did NOT want to
leave this as an anonymous touch – he said, “Who touched my clothes” (v 30)? If
there was any sense of superstition in this touch of a garment, or any thought
that Jesus did magic or was simply a miracle-worker … Jesus wanted to set the
record straight. Any contact with Jesus is ultimately about complete change –
being ‘saved’. Jesus should never be typecast as just a physical healer – he is
about transforming our whole being … everything about us – how we think, act,
behave, the basis on which we make decisions, what we say (to others), our
priorities … everything … every aspect of our lives (brought into new
creation). Jesus wanted to connect with this woman and allow her to connect
more personally with him. Any such ‘believing’ as this … should be progressed
into an ongoing relationship of salvation and discipleship.
Jesus wanted this miraculous
event to be cemented in this woman’s experience, so that she could be assured
of a completely new future. The best way for this to happen was for this event
to go public, but NOT so much in the sense of a miraculous healing, but more so
as a complete change in this woman’s life opportunity. If this woman declared
this whole ‘transformation’ to be true, she could certainly begin her process
of social restoration. Yet, there may have been a possibility … that she was
still wondering if she had done the right thing – maybe she had imposed herself
on Jesus a bit too much!? “Who touched my clothes”?
As already mentioned … in her
condition, touching Jesus like this would also render him ceremonially unclean.
What had she done? Hence this “fear and trembling” (in verse 33)! If she went
forward at Jesus’ request … she would be exposing herself to the possibility of
further ridicule (from the crowd). Would Jesus be mad at her? All such
second-guessing! Yet, nothing could be further from the truth. Jesus was NOT
concerned – quite the opposite! Human need was Jesus’ only interest. Her fears
were unnecessary! And, Jesus would defend this woman’s interests in the face of
any of the crowd’s objections. Jesus looks at her, and calms her, and lifts her
… by (lovingly) calling her “daughter”! Here was such a large measure of
warmth, affection, acceptance, care, love (Crowder).
In coming forward a second
time (v 33), again with a fair degree of courage, and now with complete
submission (falling down before Jesus) – this woman may have even had a few
moments to share something about her life … as we read that she told Jesus “the
whole truth” (v 33). This may well have included the reasons why she had
touched Jesus the way she did. Then, she received the wonderful news in person
– “Daughter [for she was now, given her faith, a daughter of God] your faith
has made you well – go in peace; and be healed of your disease” (v 34). In
Luke’s version of this incident, we read that, “… she declared in the presence
of all the people why she had touched [Jesus], (and how she had been
immediately healed)” – Luke 8:47. Here was publicly expressed faith – by a
person who previously would have been roundly rejected in her community!
Conclusion
As we have said, this is not
just a narrative about healing – for this woman had her whole life changed. A
complete reversal of her social stigma. Return to community life. The
possibility of relationships again! Re-entry to the synagogue! New life – new
creation! In a word … ‘salvation’!! We recall that the expression, “made you
well” also means “made you whole”, and refers to an experience of salvation –
as does the phrase “go in peace” i.e. release from all shame, and forgiveness
from all guilt. Through her faith and courage, Jesus was able to bring a
beautiful ministry into her life! One faith-filled decision to touch Jesus’
clothes, and a whole life is changed!!
It is worthy to consider …
that this day … there was people everywhere, crushing Jesus from all angles. No
doubt many came into contact with Jesus’ clothes, whether accidentally or on
purpose. Yet, did any of those … experience such a remarkable outcome!? This
was NOT superstition or magic – it wasn’t really about Jesus’ garments at all.
This was really about the most important of matters in life – FAITH! What
mattered was this woman’s intent, desperation, humility and courage! Salvation
like this … doesn’t just happen – we have to want it and seek it … ask for it
and receive it. The good news is – salvation is right there with Jesus … he’s
just dying to give it to us – and in full measure!! Amen!
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