For twelve years I’d been labeled as unclean. Entering the temple courts was forbidden. Anyone I touched would also become unclean. The Levitical laws were clear about uncleanness. I was an outcast, just like those with other infirmities. The blind, the lame, the deaf, the lepers and me. I tried everything to rid myself of this horrible malady. I spent my entire fortune on cures, but nothing worked. The issue of blood had tormented me for all those years, and instead of getting better, I was becoming worse. I was now at the end of my rope. I felt life slipping away, yet I knew that God still had a plan for me. I’d heard about a man from Nazareth. A man who was doing miraculous things – healing the sick and restoring those with disabilities. Maybe He could help me.

The streets were crowded with those who wanted to get a look at this man. They filled the streets and begged for healing or to hear more about His kingdom. People waited for so long for the promised Messiah. Could this possibly be the one? I pushed my way through the crowd – infecting others with my unclean body. At last, I got down on my hands and knees to reach Him. I knew if I could just touch his clothing I might be relieved of the horrible disease that had plagued me for the greater part of my life.

He was on His way to heal the daughter of one of the synagogue leaders.
The crowd continued to push. I was one of them. I forced my way closer and finally found my way to Him. I grabbed the hem of His garment and suddenly realized that the bleeding had stopped and I felt alive again.

Jesus stopped suddenly and said, “Who touched my garments?” At those words, I became terrified. I trembled in fear. I had stolen a miracle from this healer of many. My heart pounded heavily, my hands shook, but I had to admit my guilt. I came to Him and confessed that I was the one. He looked at me with compassion and love and said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace and be healed of your disease.”

At that moment, the synagogue leader, Jairus, came to tell Jesus that his daughter was dead. This little girl of twelve years old could’ve been healed by Jesus, but instead He stopped to heal me. I felt the guilt of my past coming back to haunt me. I followed the crowd to Jairus’ home. There was weeping and wailing as those inside grieved for the little girl. Jesus reprimanded them. “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” He then took the child’s hand and said, “Little girl I say to you, arise.” Her family watched in amazement as she got up and was alive again.

My disease has been healed. That little girl was brought back to life. The man who made it happen was a carpenter’s son, with the power of God in Him. He told me that my faith healed me. Likely he told the girl’s parents that their faith caused the healing, but it was His voice – His power – His divinity – His love and compassion that gave both of us new life.

The uncleanness of sin was also removed on the day that our Savior gave His life for the forgiveness of all our transgressions. Thank you, Jesus, for another day.