“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” (Luke 8:43-44 ESV).
A woman who had been hemorrhaging for twelve years saw her opportunity to touch the hem of Christ’s garment unseen, hidden by the press of the crowd. No doubt she wanted to avoid drawing attention to herself. Her condition meant that she was “ceremonially unclean” (Lev. 15:19), forbidden to touch anyone, nor to enter the Temple courts. If she were to touch someone, her ceremonial uncleanness would pass to them, so that they would be unclean until evening.
Yet, in her desperation for wholeness, the woman secretly reached out to touch the “fringe” of Christ’s robe. This “fringe” was probably the “tassel” of His prayer shawl, worn as an outer garment over His robe. The prayer shawl or “tallit,” had tassels tied to its four corners to represent the laws of Moses (Num. 15:37-41). In other words, the unclean woman touched the most holy part of Jesus’ clothing. But even though the law taught that her uncleanness would be transmitted to Jesus, instead, His holiness and healing were transmitted to her!
Jesus knew that “healing power” had gone out from Him. Her secret was out. She fell at His feet trembling with fear, admitting that she had touched Him. But Jesus commended her faith. A touch of Jesus had made her whole— physically and spiritually whole.
Jesus welcomes all who come to Him in faith, no matter how broken, outcast, or unclean. Like this woman, we often carry struggles and burdens, sometimes believing we are unworthy of His attention. But instead of letting fear or shame keep us distant, let us boldly come to Jesus, trusting that He is willing and able to make us whole.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your power to heal and restore. We bring our burdens, struggles, and fears to You, knowing that You are compassionate and mighty to save. Strengthen our faith to reach out to You daily, trusting that Your touch brings healing and wholeness. In Jesus’ name, amen.