Daring to Touch
Matthew 5: 25 - 34
25 Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years,
26 and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.
27 When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.
28 For she said, "If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well."
29 Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.
30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, "Who touched My clothes?"
31 But His disciples said to Him, "You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched Me?' "
32 And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.
33 But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.
34 And He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction."
Amazed by His question, the disciples reasoned. Alarmed by His question, the woman hid. She had dared to join a throng of people as one who was deemed unclean. Squeezing through the mass of people who followed Jesus, she maneuvered her way to be close to the One she desired to touch. She knew that if she could just touch His garments, she would be healed. But this – this probing for her identity was definitely undesired. Seeking refuge behind others, she listened. Jesus knew power had left Him: someone had touched Him, and He wanted to know who. If she revealed herself, what would He say? She was unclean and had touched Him who was holy. She had taken, not asked. She had presumed upon a love she did not know. Therein lay the reason He asked. He could have kept walking. He could have simply smiled at her audacious faith. But He had more for her than answered prayers and a healed body. He wanted her to have an encounter with the One she had pursued and looked for in her need.
Realizing she could no longer hide she came and fell to her knees. Her story of pain tumbled from her lips, revealing her shame. With eyes of compassion Jesus listened to her story of hopelessness and pain. She held the story of many who had gone before and those yet to come. Seeking answers and finding none. Losing what she had to gain what she could not obtain. Unfulfilled promises, mounting debt, weakened body. Rejected by others, destitute and alone, she was a poignant picture of all He had come to redeem. She was more than a sick woman in a busy crowd. She was a picture of His bride; one who would seek for Him. One who would push past every obstacle to simply reach in faith and touch the One she needed and longed to know.
With gentle words and a caring heart, Jesus spoke over her words of comfort and blessing. “Daughter” - a word of endearment spoken from the heart of a father released acceptance and favor. Such things she had not known. Words of affirmation followed as Jesus revealed that it was not His garments, but her faith that had made her whole. Faith to reach for Him had healed her body. Faith to entrust Him with her story had healed her soul.
His simple words “go in peace” were far more than a dismissal as He went His way. The word He used was “into” not “in.” Jesus welcomed her into the peace of a life-giving relationship with Him. Peace does not just come from healed bodies, blessed circumstance or relieved minds. Peace comes from the One who is peace. Only in an encounter with Him can we find the peace that our heart desperately needs.
Finally, Jesus spoke words of blessing: “be healed of your affliction.” This word for healed is where we get the word “hygienic.” Jesus not only acknowledge the healing of her body but declared her clean in the eyes of God and man. Jesus removed the stigma and shame that had shrouded her life, made her an outcast and deemed her unclean. While faith had made her well, His words had made her clean. The affliction, or more correctly, the plague or scourging that had destroyed her life, was gone. She was now whole in both body and soul.
Regardless of our circumstances and the stories that define our lives, we are more than a number in the crowd. We are seen and acknowledged by the One who knows our needs and understands our story. He came to give all that He is to anyone who would simply reach for Him. Our place in society does not matter. What others think of us is irrelevant. Will we reach for Him? Will desire lead us to push aside obstacles, ignore the voices that disqualify and simply reach for the One who longs for our touch? His life and His power freely flow to all who reach for Him. His eyes search for those who hope in Him. And His words are released over all who entrust Him with their story. To such ones He releases acceptance, wholeness and peace.
Consider:
Are there parts of your story that isolate you in shame or shroud you from connection? Regardless of where you have been, what you have done, or the issues that plague your life, Jesus has come to heal, restore and redeem. Trusting Him with your story is part of the journey to wholeness and freedom.
What would it look like for you to dare to reach out and touch Jesus?
Prayer Prompts:
Lord, thank you that You see me and know me. Who do You want to be for me in this part of my journey with You?
Jesus, I have wanted to hide my shame but only You can release me and heal me. As I give it to You, reveal to my heart what You have for me.
