For twelve years she ‘d carried the burden of her disease.  Not only was she wasting away because of the loss of blood she shed each day, but her finances were being eaten away as well. She was suffering from an unknown malady which deemed her unclean by her peers – by her heritage – by herself.

Many of us go through long term conditions and know how much those difficulties weigh on us.  We go to great lengths and expense to discover the cause and a treatment.  After such a long time, many simply give up and don’t try anymore.  Their weakened state makes them hopeless.

Hope did remain for this woman.  Her wasted body could barely rise to a standing position, but she’d heard about a man who was doing amazing things in her town. She was at her wit’s end and yet she knew if she could just get a glimpse of Him, or simply walk in His footsteps, there was a glimmer of optimism.

The streets were full of people, all wanting to get a look at Him – the One who called out demons from a possessed young man.  This poor fellow had been tortured for so long, but within an instant, Jesus relieved him from the icy grip of Satan.  If Jesus could cast out demons, certainly He could heal this plagued woman.

The crowds began to overcome, but the woman persisted.  She crawled on her hands and knees below the mob of people and nudged her way to His sandaled feet.  For one brief moment she touched the hem of His robe and immediately her bleeding stopped.

Jesus’ was aware of what happened, but He asked who touched Him.  How frightened she must’ve been.  She’d snatched a miracle simply through His touch.  Still there was something comforting in His voice and she came forward to confess that she was the one.

This woman was bold in her faith.  She knew that Jesus could heal her not only from her illness, but from the shame she suffered because of it.  She believed that He was her Savior.

Jesus said,  “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

We are all like that woman – filled with the sickness of sin.  We need our Savior’s touch to remove that disease from our souls.  Only He can save us.  All we need do is believe that He does.