That You May Know - Pt 12

As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” (Luke 8:43-48 ESV).

In our reading today we see Jesus heal a woman who had “a discharge of blood” (v. 43). It is true that the miracle shows the determination and desperation of this woman to press through the mass of people to just simply touch Jesus. However, we must not mistake the lesson to be in the effort the woman used to reach Jesus. It was not her determination that healed her. It was the fact that Jesus noticed her. It shows the deep compassion and care of Jesus to recognize this woman’s need in the “press” of the crowd. Jesus emphasized the faith of this woman as the reason for her perseverance. It, of course, makes sense that in the absence of faith, healing may not take place. But Scripture reports that healings did not take place in a variety of other situations. The Apostle Paul is perhaps the clearest example of this fact (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9). Our lesson is in the truth that God cares much more about our character than our physical bodies. Sometimes we fail to recognize the omniscience of God. His look is so much greater that we misunderstand our temporary pain for mere evil rather than the purpose and plan of God to work good in our lives (cf. Romans 8:28). The lessons about healing may direct our focus. When Jesus was told that His friend Lazarus was sick, he remained where he was for two more days, saying, "This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory. . ." (John 11:4). When Jesus arrived at the location, Lazarus was dead. Instead of healing Lazarus, Jesus raised Him from death. We may miss Jesus' very important message if we are focused only on being healed from our disease and not on the Savior who heals. We must capture the thought that God is compassionate and merciful and that nothing is impossible for Him. He has authority over all disease and sickness and can choose to heal whomever He chooses, whenever He chooses. It is a matter of trust. In trusting Him we are in the safest possible place, regardless of our present pain. Hang on to the thread!