Throughout the season of Lent our daily devotions have been written by members of the Faith Lutheran community. Our theme this Lent is “Jesus Our Healer.” Today’s devotion comes from Joye Roll.
Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’” He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” Mark 5:25-34
This is the only miracle recorded in the scriptures where Jesus did not speak or display any action. This miracle is recorded in three of the Gospels. It must be important. What does it mean for us?
Illness is the great interrupter of life. It changes everything as we see in the life of this woman. She’s desperate. She’s tried everything. She has no hope. Her life is slipping away. However, one touch of her hand to the hem of Jesus’ garment gives her new life. She is instantly healed. She tries to sneak away, silent about her miracle. Jesus stops her although He knows who she is. He blesses her by calling her “daughter” and giving her peace, something she has not felt for 12 years. Her healing is truly a miracle!
I work and volunteer at M. D. Anderson where healing can be seen on a daily basis. Healing comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s a celebratory physical healing like this woman’s. Sometimes healing is hope in a new drug or protocol. Sometimes healing comes through death. Everyday Jesus is still healing. We, too, can reach out and touch Jesus and be given new life!
Let us pray: Great Healer, stop for us as you did for that woman many years ago. Help us to remember that we can reach out and touch you for healing and new life. Grant your wondrous peace to all those who suffer. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Daily Devotions 
March 20, 2015 at 7:16 am |
Matthew 14:14 “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”
The woman in this parable was healed because she had faith in Jesus. If we believe, we too can be healed and find peace through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.