Touching Powerfully

Luke 8:46 - But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.”

Lots of people were touching Jesus that day, but only one was healed. The Gospels are clear that a large crowd was pressing in on him, but there was one woman who had a different kind of touch. She had suffered from a flow of blood for years. When she touched Jesus, he knew it. He stopped. He asked “Who touched me?” twice. There was something different about her touch that set it apart from all the others.

First, she had the right object. Doctor Luke ironically notes that she had spent all her money on doctors, but she got no help from them. (Luke 8:43) In spite of her efforts, only Jesus could help. Sometimes we reach out to those who cannot help us. Other times we reach out to those who will not help us. With Jesus, we have one who can and will help us in our time of need.

Second, she had the right kind of touch. When she finally got the courage to identify herself and tell Jesus her story, he said to her, “Your faith has made you well.” (Luke 8:48) Over and over in the gospels, faith is the key to answered prayers and miracles. The account of this story in the Gospel of Mark shows what that faith was. It says that the woman said to herself, “If I touch his garment, I will be healed.” (Mark 5:28) She visualized it before it happened, she was convinced it would happen, and she took action to make it happen. That is real faith.

Whatever you may be growing through in your life, please know Jesus both can and wants to help you. Reach out to touch him in faith.