THE HEM

Touched by Faith

Matthew 9:20-22  And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said “Be of good cheer, daughter;  your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.”

In many of the miracles of healing that Jesus performed, the healing was brought about by Jesus focusing His attention on the person who was sick. Sometimes He spoke to the sick, sometimes He touched them, sometimes He sent His word and caused a healing. This miraculous healing is different in that Jesus did not single this woman out for healing. She singled Him out. The scriptures tell us that many physicians had caused her great suffering in their attempts to heal her. None of them was able to. She, no doubt, had heard of the miracles Jesus had performed. He had opened blind eyes, cleansed lepers, caused the lame to walk, raised the dead. The crowd that followed Jesus knew that He was no ordinary man. She had to press her way through the crowd. Her one goal was to just touch the hem of His garment because she had determined that would be sufficient to cause her healing.

She did not want to be singled out. She wanted to just take her healing without causing a stir. It is interesting that in another scripture Jesus inquired as to who had touched Him (Luke 8:43-48). Jesus said He perceived that virtue had gone out of Him (Luke 8:46). In other words, Jesus felt power being released from Him. She was instantly healed.

I am sure there were many other people in the crowd that brushed up against Jesus, but the intentionality was not there. They were not seeking anything that required the power of Jesus. Likewise, today, we can know about Jesus, sing songs about Jesus, go to church, but until we intentionally seek to know Him personally and to have Him enter our hearts, we will not experience His power.

The story of this woman is another example of how important it is for us to have faith when we want to receive something from God. The scripture tells us that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. We cannot exercise faith if we do not know what God is capable of. This woman knew that Jesus was capable of healing her. She also determined that His power was so great that just the hem of His garment would be a link to that power. Her faith brought about Her healing.

How blessed we are today to have the bible which tells us all about God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. We have access to so much knowledge that can help to build and strengthen our faith. We can receive what we need from God as we exercise our faith.