Tag: touch garment
“Take heart, daughter!”
Scripture reading for January 13: Matthew 9
“And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment, for she said to herself, “If I only touch His garment, I will be made well.” Jesus turned, and seeing her He said, “Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.” Matthew 9:20-22
Under the Law of Moses, women who had bodily discharges were unclean and were not to touch anyone else lest they cause them to be unclean as well. This woman, an Israelite, would have lived under this law during her twelve years of bleeding. We can imagine how her self-image must have been diminished and her life limited. We are not told specifically how it happened, but this woman had a revelation that if she could just touch the fringe of Jesus’ garment, she would be healed. She found courage to act on her belief, thinking she could do this in a crowd of people and go unnoticed. After all, it was only His garment she would touch.
In spite of being on another pressing mission, Jesus felt her touch and took time look at her directly and to acknowledge her as a “daughter” in God’s family. Her deepest need was affirmation of her identity and belonging. Next Jesus recognized her faith that had caused her to reach out to touch His garment. Jesus encouraged her to ‘take heart’. Faith begins in the heart and the heart of man holds onto what they believe is God’s will and Word. When she persisted in faith, immediately, she was healed! Faith alone pleases God and can bring His loving attention.
Have you ever felt isolated and cut off from God or others because of an affliction or self-image issue? How did God help this woman to overcome her issue? Does God reach out to us or are we to reach out to God? Or both? What part of this simple story helps your understanding of overcoming issues?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for recording this simple story of a woman in deep need who acted on a belief that even touching Jesus garment would bring healing. Bring new faith to act on Your Word into my life today. Use me to encourage others to ‘take heart’ and act on God’s Word. Amen!
Jesus is Here!
Scripture reading for February 15th: Leviticus 27, Numbers 1-3, Mark 6
Key Scriptures: Mark 6:54-56 “And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized Him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard He was. And wherever He came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored Him that they might touch even the fringe of His garment. And as many as touched it were made well.”
Jesus’ reputation as a healer spread rapidly across the region. Mark records again an incident about touching Jesus’ garment and healing occurring. In this case, all who touched Him were healed. People ran and brought the sick to wherever Jesus was and sought Jesus with desperation and purpose. Their faith was rewarded each time! The Book of Numbers instructs God’s people to gather around the Tent of Meeting, where God’s holy presence was found.
Numbers 2:1-2 “The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side.”
Prayer: Lord, thank You for Your holy presence that brings blessing and healing to Your people. Today, I allow You to camp in my heart and touch me with Your healing grace. Amen.