People21

Lk 8:42-45 As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. "Who touched me?" Jesus asked.

For most of my life I have been blessed with strength and good health. It was only as I got a lot older did I find I ached and things didn't work as well as they once had. I write that because I came to realise how so many of us take our good health for granted. I watch young boys on skate boards and envy their fearlessness that partly comes from a sense of strength and well-being and the knowledge that they ‘bounce' reasonably well! I have sought to empathise with those I know who have struggled with long-term poor health, but it is not easy. You really have to walk that path to appreciate it.

The lady who is the subject of our study today walked the path of ill-health. For twelve long years, the text tells us, she was subject to bleeding. There is a note in your Bible that says that some manuscripts say that “she had spent all she had on doctors.” Our text above simply says “but no one could heal her.” Both of those comments indicate in a measure, the depth of human despair that sometimes accompanies such things. Probably those who know this most are those who have tried unsuccessfully for children and have been to every sort of specialist possible with no avail. Life in a Fallen World is sometimes very difficult!

The ‘bleeding' spoken of suggest some form of hemorrhage and for a Jewish woman this meant that she was separated off from the religious life of the community, which was a very significant thing in that society. Lev 15:19 - indicated in the Law that when a woman was experiencing her menstrual discharge she was to consider herself ‘unclean'. Now this did not mean ‘dirty' as some might think, but simply that for that time she was not qualified to perform the usual religious rites. That, I suggest, was God's gentle way of telling her that while she was in that state and feeling debilitated, He understood and there was no need for her to make the effort to go to the Temple.

Now that is all very well for a week, but for twelve years, it was just another aspect of this disability that would have made her feel somewhat of an outcast. Any one of us who suffers from some form of embarrassing disability feels this in a measure. When you are struggling with some physical ailment, which you don't wish others to know about, it makes a separation, in your mind at least, between you and others. For her, this had been going on for twelve years – and then Jesus came to town!

It is because of this ‘embarrassment factor', I suggest, that we find her sneaking up behind Jesus to touch him. She has a high level of faith, this lady! She recognises that Jesus has a power within himself that heals. It isn't that he uses magic; the healing comes because of HIM. Now many of us don't even realise this! When healing is granted it is because God Himself touches us and His life imparts a life-energy in us that kills off germs, viruses or whatever, and recreates cells to make the body well again. There is not some magical, mystical force in the world; it is God's very own presence that brings the life and healing. Somehow this woman had understood that, so she knows that, if she can simply make contact with Jesus physically, she will be healed of this long-term affliction.

So, in the midst of the crowd she touches him. Power flows out of Jesus and she is healed – and Jesus knows it instantly! Jesus knows that someone has reached out in faith and the Father has brought healing to someone. Now comes a slight mystery. Why did Jesus call out for the person to come forward? Surely he would have known exactly who it was? The text says that when she touched Jesus “immediately her bleeding stopped.” Something had happened and although outwardly she might not have been aware of change, inwardly she obviously knew what had happened. So when Jesus looked round, something would have shown on her face it least. Relief? Pleasure? Joy? Gratefulness? So why did he bother to ask?

The only answer that I can suggest is that he wanted her to openly confess what she had done and what had happened. The Bible indicates that there is something significant about speaking out the truth and about confessing what has happened. For her, it may be part of the healing process. Thus we read, “In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” (v.47,48)

Do you notice that final part: “Go in peace.” i.e. all of the stress and the anguish of the years has gone; you can go and enjoy life now. She is no longer a dweller in isolation. She can come and be a full member of community life again, without any restraints. Some of our disabilities mean that our social activities are strictly curtailed. That is no longer true for her. Isn't that wonderful; what a relief! Hallelujah!