‘So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him. And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying. But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him.
Now a woman, having a flow of blood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians and could not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped.
And Jesus said, “Who touched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?'” But Jesus said, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.” Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people the reason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. God in peace.” (Luke 8:40-48)
Recently, as I read the above passage, I was so struck by the account of the woman with the continual issue of blood at verses 43-48. It was the words of Lord Yeshua to the woman in particular, after she had touched the hem of the Lord’s garment in faith in Him which struck deepest: “…for I perceived power going out of Me..” (verse 46) and “Daughter, be of good cheer, your faith has made you well. Go in peace (verse 48).”
The account discloses that she had tried all the physicians she could afford and not one had been able to help her. In the parallel account in Matthew’s Gospel, the evidence of her faith is made clearer for us: ‘For she said to herself, If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well” (Matthew 9:21). Just think of what that woman’s faith in Lord Yeshua laid hold of!
Despite the hopelessness of her situation and despite the unlikeliness of the circumstances and timing – she saw her opportunity and took it. She pressed through the throng, stretched out her hand and touched the hem of His garment in faith – and power went forth from Yeshua to heal as she believed! For this woman of importunate faith in Lord Yeshua the Messiah, she was enabled by God’s grace to lay hold of a triple blessing: the healing itself – which was huge; re-affirmation in the Lord naming her “Daughter”, after having to be excluded as “unclean” because of the uncontrollable issue of blood (read Leviticus 15:19-33) – which was precious; and the confirmation that her faith in Yeshua had not been misplaced – which was peace. She was healed, restored and went her way in and with the peace of Lord Yeshua. In Yeshua the Messiah, Son of the living God, she saw the opportunity – and took it!
It is a wonder that more people do not take the opportunity to be saved from their sins, pardoned by God and reconciled to Him by His grace through faith in the Gospel of Lord Yeshua told to them, especially as the see the world getting darker and darker! Even now – today even – is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:1-2) and even now God the Father, through His Son Yeshua bids us to ‘Come’ (see e.g. Revelation 22:17). May many see the opportunity and take it to call upon the Lord Yeshua and be saved while there is yet time. It may be that some who read this, are not yet saved and do not understand the value of the gift God offers us in Yeshua the Messiah, or the choice that they need to make. If so, I urge you to read The Gift (The Gift. – Selah – with me) and The Choice (The Choice. – Selah – with me) available elsewhere on this site – and contact me if you need help to find out more.
May those who have already believed in Lord Yeshua unto the saving of their soul continue to stay close to Him, and take all the opportunities He gives us to find rest in Him in these days of darkness as we near the end. A Scripture which comes to mind just now, recording the words of the Lord Yeshua is this:
Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Until He calls or comes, shalom and God bless you.
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