PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 8:40-48
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“A woman… subject to bleeding for twelve years.” (Luke 8:43).
The Moses Law was clear, this woman was unclean (Leviticus 15:25).
Her uncleanness would defile the people and the temple (Leviticus 15:31).
She was to remain separate, and no one was to come close to her.
But here this woman is in the crowd that is crushing around Jesus.
She defies the Moses Law and defiles the people, and the temple.
Her act of desperation is against the Law – no wonder she is trembling.
How will God’s messiah – God’s presence among the people – react?
Once again we see how God’s grace meets us in our misery.
I don’t know why the Moses Law treats bleeding women as unclean.
But I am thankful that Jesus does not treat her like the Moses Law.
“Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” (Luke 8:48)
Jesus does not come to condemn us, but to save us (John 3:17).
He shows us how God sees us, how God loves us, how God helps us.
Whatever my situation, I can reach out to Jesus without fear.
PRAYER
Lord, I come to you just as I am, unclean in my own way. Help me to see you looking at me, and saying to me, ‘Go in peace!’
“Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” She believed but knew because of her condition she should not be in the crowd or near Jesus. She was desperate and very much tormented by her illness which isolated her. She was probably barred from the temple as well. But she believed that Jesus could heal her – maybe if she could only touch his cloak – and when she finally did she was automatically healed – and Jesus felt the healing power go from him. I too must believe first – Jesus can heal – Jesus can help me – I need to trust like this woman did! She took the risk to reach out and against all the rules of the day – and she was healed!
Jarius was a man of faith. He came to Jesus for the healing of His daughter.
The woman was a woman of faith. She broke the law just to get close to Jesus -to be near and touch Him to be healed. Her faith made her come. Spirit led? I wonder why the crowd didn’t recognize her? She had come out of isolation, was out of her comfort zone, determined to be healed. These and many more reached out to Jesus during His ministry. I too need to do that, reach out to Jesus. I was reminded of story time for the children in the church before Sunday school. If the story given had questions some child would answer ‘Jesus’. Jesus is also my answer. I need His presence every hour.
I need Thee ev’ry hour,
Most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine
Can peace afford.
Refrain:
I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Ev’ry hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Savior,
I come to Thee.