“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.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.”
Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. 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.”
Luke 8:42-49 NIV
This Bible story is so powerful to me. Jesus was making His way through hundreds of people. The crowd was pressing and everyone was touching Him as He made His way through. However, He stopped and asked who had touched Him. He knew that there was one particular touch that was different from the rest. The woman who had touched the hem of His garment had such a strong faith and belief in a miracle, it made her touch distinct.
How easy it is sometimes to give up on our hope and faith for personal miracles. When they don’t happen in our time-table or the way we think they should, we often give up on them altogether. This woman is proof that miracles happen and are answered when and how He wants them to. She suffered for years and kept getting worse. I’m sure if she were sitting here today she would tell us that she wanted to be healed 12 years prior! But her faith kept her going.
The Bible never mentions her name, but her story of faith puts mine to shame. She didn’t need to call out to Him or make a scene. Her faith was enough for that small touch to uncover her miracle. The thought of this woman gives me the tenacity to keep the faith: to pray every single prayer and make every single request just as if I’m grasping the hem of His garment. And even more…to be expecting my miracle!
