Wednesday Words of Encouragement

Matthew 9:20-22 (HCSB) ~

Just then, a woman who had suffered from bleeding for 12 years approached from behind and touched the tassel on His robe, for she said to herself, “If I can just touch His robe, I’ll be made well!”

But Jesus turned and saw her. “Have courage, daughter,” He said. “Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that moment.

She inched closer and closer, trying to get up the nerve to touch him.  She knew that if she could just brush the edge of his garment her suffering would end.  She had a bleeding disorder that kept her in an "unclean" status for 12 years - no human interaction, no ability to hug her husband or children, not able to go to the temple to worship, and receiving no warmth or care.  The law stated that she must be isolated during her time of bleeding.

She had twelve years of physical, emotional, social and spiritual isolation. Twelve years of mental and physical anguish.  Twelve years alone with her thoughts. So when she heard of this teacher who was performing miracles, she did the unthinkable and ventured out into the crowd to receive healing.

Ironically, she touched the tassel on his robe.  The tassel was the fringe on a devout Jew's robe that reminded them to keep the law.  The law stated that a woman who had menstrual bleeding was considered unclean and had to remain separate from the rest of the household and town for 7 days, until the bleeding stopped.  Jesus knew very well that if he touched the woman he too would be considered unclean for the rest of the day.

Yet, he turned and looked at her with compassion.  Instead of berating her, spoke a kind word to her. He called her, "Daughter."  These may have been the first kind words that someone spoke to her in years.  Because of her faith in Him, she was healed.

I'm not sure what you are facing today.  Perhaps, you've been suffering from it for years.  You are embarrassed by it and feel ostracized by the struggle whether it be physical, social, emotional or spiritual.  Maybe you've looked to everything and everyone to heal the pain and the hole in your heart. 

Yet, there is only one who can heal and help the hurt. The Lord won't berate you. He looks directly into your eyes and says, "Have courage, daughter."  "You are healed."  The only thing we need to do is get up the courage to reach out and touch Him and ask for healing.  We have to believe that He can do it.  We have to take the first step of faith.

The woman with the bleeding disorder pushed aside her fear and reached out to take hold of Jesus' robe.  Won't you do the same today?