One of these stories is about a woman who is ill and receives radical healing from the Lord. A story I have just skimmed over many times because it is only four sentences long.
Matthew 9. 20-22 Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the hem of his garment. For she kept saying to herself, "If only I could touch his garment I will be restored to health." Jesus turned, and seeing her, he said, "Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well." And in that moment the woman was restored to health.
Now, when reading this story in context of the book of Matthew it is so easy to just read quickly over it. It is sandwiched between many other miraculous healings and words of wisdom. In the past, I would just read these four sentences and think,"Cool...another healing..." and move on to the next one. But today when I read this story it stopped me in my tracks. Today I identified with this woman and was blown away by her reckless audacity. Here she is a bleeding woman, most likely rejected by the community, considered unclean. So, even being out in public must be a big deal. She climbs into a crowd full of those who reject her and toward Jesus, a very controversial man, just to pull on his clothes. Wow. If this were a scene in a well scripted movie we would all be biting our nails as we watch her put herself into a potentially embarrassing and maybe even dangerous situation. I mean, would you do this if you were her? I know if I were her I would be at home watching the crowd from my window thinking, "I should go, he will heal me, I know it....No, maybe he wont, he will just think I am crazy...wait, I have to go, I can't live like this any longer...but, will I even make it to him?" Can you imagine her mental battle before she took those first steps in his direction? Wow.
Just thinking of this story in this way changed it for me. But, more, what made this story stick out to me is its connection to me personally, today. I know a woman who is subject to bleeding. Not a woman of the past, put a woman I love and care deeply for. I know the woman in this story and have had many conversations with her of her pain and lack of comfort. I have listened to her tell me of the many medical efforts that have been make over a 20 year span to restore her health. She may not be reject by her community, for not many know she has had to deal with this issue for so long, but it has sure brought embarrassment more times than she would have liked. I have been able to watch her reach out to God recently and I am ready for Jesus to turn to this sweet woman and speak, "Take heart, daughter, your faith has made you well." That is my prayer.
What an amazing God we have that he is capable and desires to heal us of all our ailments.
I believe.
Beck
