Someone Touched Me – Tony Agnesi

But Jesus said, “Someone has touched me; for I know that power has gone out from me.” When the woman realized that she had not escaped notice, she came forward trembling. Falling down before him, she explained in the presence of all the people why she had touched him and how she had been healed immediately. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace.” –Luke 8:46-48

In the gospel of Luke and we read of a woman who had been hemorrhaging for 12 years. She spent everything she had to find a cure but to no avail. As Jesus walked through a crowd of people she came up behind him and touched the tassel of his cloak. Immediately, her bleeding stopped and she was cured.

At that time in history it was unlawful for a woman to touch any man or his clothing and by virtue of her bleeding she would have been declared unclean and would not have been allowed to be in a crowd of people. In essence, she broke the law!

But Jesus said, “Someone has touched me; for I know that power has gone out from me.” As the crowd grew, many people were pushing on Jesus and his apostles. But this was different, it wasn’t accidental contact. This woman made it a point to touch the cloak of Jesus, on purpose!

When she realized that Jesus was aware of her contact she humbly came forward and explained why she had touched him and that she was immediately healed.

Jesus’ reaction surprised the crowd. He said, “Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace.”

Two things are significant here. One is that she approached Jesus ashamed and humble. As she reached out to touch his cloak, she was cured, not by any magical powers of his garment, but by her faith in Him.

And second, Jesus recognizing this faith asked her to profess it verbally before all. In fear and trembling she explained what had happened to everyone.

When she finished, Jesus called her “daughter” a phrase he used very sparingly in the gospels, and assured her that her faith had saved her.

Do we share the same faith as the woman in this parable? Are we willing to put our faith in Jesus, even if we have exhausted all other means? And, when we receive healing from our Lord, are we willing to humbly share our story with others.

Are we willing to say, I believed, I touched, I was healed?

Not only was it a quiet faith that saved her. But it was her willingness to declare that faith, to put her faith into action. And our Lord offered her peace.

Isn’t that what we all long for? We know that we will all, at some time in our lives, have suffering and troubles. But to have peace in the midst of these troubles makes things bearable.

[pullquote]”So also faith of itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” –James 2:17[/pullquote]

Jesus has compassion for the marginalized, the unclean, for women, foreigners and even the thief crucified next to Him on the cross. Jesus will not hold himself apart from them, but is fully present in His compassion.

And he has that same compassion for you, too!

Are you facing an illness that has you stressed out…..believe, touch and be healed?

Is your marriage on the rocks…..believe, touch and be healed?

Have you recently lost your job and are finding it tough to find a new one…..believe, touch, and be healed?

Have your adult children left the faith and nothing you can say will bring them back to God…..believe, touch and be healed?

We need to put our complete trust in Jesus. We need to touch Him with our prayer and adoration. We will be healed by His compassion. And, He will call you daughter or son and grant you his precious gift of peace.

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