From Matthew 9:19-22: The woman with an issue of blood
“And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples. And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.” (Matthew 9:19-22)
The continual loss of blood left me so very weak. The doctors had no answers. The rabbi’s prayers also failed to help me. I was untouchable. No one could touch me. Neither could I touch anyone else. It was bad enough that I could not feel the warmth of my family’s hugs, but, even more, I could not go to the Temple. I had to live alone. So, I was totally alone.
I was ready to give up, until I overheard some of the women talking about an unusual rabbi . They claimed that he healed any who asked him. He healed a paralyzed man and even cast demons out of two possessed men. If he could do that, I knew he could heal me. The challenge was getting to him. I could barely crawl, much less walk. But, I had to. I had to get close enough to touch the hem of his garment. Then, he would heal me. “Was he the Messiah?” I pondered. I was reminded of what Malachi prophesied, that Messiah would come with healing in his wings.1. And, I was convinced, he was my only hope.
Then, I considered the cost of such a reckless deed. A woman with an issue of blood does not go around touching ANY man, certainly not a rabbi. At the very least, I could expect a sharp tongue lashing. At the worst, he could have me stoned. “Well, what’s my life worth anyway?” I thought.
Somehow. . . somehow, I got there just in time. He came close enough for me to reach out and touch the hem of his garment. At that moment, I stopped breathing. I lowered my head to the ground and waited for the inevitable. It seemed like an eternity, yet it was only seconds. He didn’t even scold me. He didn’t call for me to be stoned. Instead, I heard more love in his voice than I had ever known. He said, “. . . Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.” I was whole. Completely whole.
- Malachi 4:2
- Matthew 9:22
Historical Background:
The word, “hem” in Scripture comes from the Greek “kraspedon”. It refers to “a tassel of twisted wool”. Adoni required the rabbis to include tassels (fringe) on their garments. The tassels served to remind them of God’s commandments. Fringe can also be translated as “border” or “corner” as in Numbers 15:38. Another word that can refer to the fringe is “kanaph”. The Hebrew translation, “kanaph” can mean, “wings.” So, when the woman reached for the hem of Jesus’ garment, perhaps the words in Malachi informing us that the Messiah would “. . . arise with healing in his wings gave her the courage to step out in faith and go against cultural norms. Malachi 4:2 KJV.
Application:
The woman is unnamed. We only know that she had an issue of blood that plagued her for 12 years. Even though we know little about her; her simple faith is the message from which we draw. Just as Jesus honored this woman’s faith, Jesus also honors our faith.
Prayer:
Lord, All you ask is that we place our trust in you. You do not ask us to complete great works. You do you ask us to keep the Law perfectly. Instead, you ask us to believe that what you accomplished on the cross is more than sufficient to redeem us to the uttermost. When we place our trust in you, God sees us as righteous. You become our righteousness. You are altogether beautiful.
Thank You Lord Jesus
John 3:16 & 18 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 18.”He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
