When she did so, she risked everything, for she violated the taboo of touching others thereby making each of them ‘unclean’ for a period of seven days.  [See references to the Levitical laws as noted in our former post.]  When she did so, however, “Immediately the fountain of her blood dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction” (v.29).  Jesus also felt power flow out of his body, and when He saw her, she fell at His feet and told Him the whole truth.  This event occurred while Jesus was on His way, thronged by a great crowd, to the house of a prominent leader of the synagogue to raise up his daughter who was a the ‘edge of death,’ and who, due to the delay this woman’s brash action had caused, did, indeed die!  If you are anything like me, such an interruption, such an untoward distraction, would cause feelings of irritation, frustration (even hot anger) to rise up from within.  Jesus, however, in total empathy with this dear poor wretched outcast, showed her compassion, love and acceptance, and He said to her words of affirmation and praise:  “Daughter, your faith has made you well.  Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction” (v. 34).

There are a couple of things of note here: 

(1) Jesus did not rebuke this woman for “breaking the law.” 

His response was based on His compassion for her suffering.

(2) Jesus recognized the courage, born of extreme desperation, that it took for her to defy the traditions and religious stigmas of her society.

(3) Jesus acknowledged her action – her act of faith – to press forward and to lay hold of the tassels of His garment, believing, yes – knowing – that, if she could but do so, she would be healed – and she was!

Jesus declared that it was her faith that had made her whole.

In our next post, we will examine more closely this “hem of His garment,” that is, the “tassels” this woman was so determined to take hold of.  Then we will explore the healing  of blind Bartimaeus.  For now, enjoy a little (maybe very little! :0) humor and some “Food for Thought.”

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An elderly couple, married for many, many years were lying in bed, and just as the old gentleman was dozing off, his wife said, “You know, when we were lying in bed together when we were a young married couple, you would reach out and take my hand in yours and hold it so lovingly.”  So, the husband gently reached out, took his wife’s hand in his and held it warmly.

Just as the old fellow started to doze again, his wife said, “You know, when we were younger, you often rolled over, spoke softly into my ear that you loved me and kissed my cheek.”  So, once again, the husband followed his beloved’s prompt and rolled over, whispered in her ear softly, “Sweetheart, I love you so much,” and then he gently but lovingly kissed her cheek.

Yet one more time, just as the old boy was about ready to drop off to sleep, his beloved nudged him with her elbow, giggled, and said,” And then, you would often bite my neck!” – and she trembled a bit as she recalled those earlier exciting moments.  Her mate growled somewhat and struggling out of bed, he started to shuffle off to the bathroom.  “where are you going?” she called out to him.

“I going to get my teeth!” said he.

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“Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets.  So love the people who treat you right, and forget about the ones who don’t.”

                                                                                                ~ Carol Manning

[I would exchange the words “pray for” in place of “forget about.” ~ Bob]

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Dear Lord,

I kneel down before you at this moment.

Please enlighten what is dark in me,

   Strengthen what is weak in me,

      Mend what is broken in me, Bind what is bruised in me,

         Heal what is sick in me, and Revive whatever peace and love that died in me

This is also my prayer for my loved ones – my family and my friends, and

   Even for those who hate me.

In Jesus’ Name ~ Amen!