A woman who had been bleeding for twelve years came up behind Jesus and barely touched his clothes. She had said to herself, “If I can just touch his clothes, I will get well.”
Jesus turned. He saw the woman and said, “Don’t worry! You are now well because of your faith.” At that moment she was healed.
Matthew 9:20-22 CEV
It's bad enough being a woman in today's day...all the natural physical processes that a woman faces in just living her life.
In Jesus' day it had to be much worse. I can't imagine the loneliness of this woman since all women spent their monthly cycles cloistered away from the world. She had been in isolation for 12 years because she was considered unclean by her friends and family. She was not allowed to shop, celebrate family birthdays, visit with friends or even worship publicly. For her to even venture away from her home and step foot into society was an act of bravery on her part. Anyone who touched her would become unclean, too. Just imagine the taunts, the insulting words, the blame inflicted on her as she approached Christ. Of course, He knew she was coming; He knew she was near; He knew she wanted to touch Him...but would she be bold enough and have enough faith to do so?
She did it! She touched Him and immediately He felt a little of His power leave His body. He had healed another life and soul.
Oh, the act of mercy she felt when He turned to her and blessed her because of her faith.
He will do the same for us as we face our private fears...those about which no one knows.
If we just reach a little further out of our hiding places...if we just had the faith that she had...then what?
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