Friday, November 15, 2013

One Touch...

     I have always loved the story of the woman who was healed by touching Christ's garment as He passed, but today as I was reading my book this story seemed to come to life. I've never really looked deep into this story to see the fine details of the woman. Due to the woman's health, hemorrhaging for 12 years, she was likely to have lived an  isolated, lonely, and painful existence. In those times you were not allowed to attend church, social gatherings, or even be touched if you were "unclean." She spent most of her life trying to find a cure, living in pain and agony. She more than likely didn't have any friends and probably felt as if no one cared for her. I can imagine she felt empty and had a heavy heart, as most of us do while we are carrying burdens. However, in her pain and suffering she remained faithful. She tried everything and nothing else worked, so she knew that her only option was Christ. She knew she needed His supernatural healing, His power, so she made her way to receive it. As Jesus walked through the crowded street, you can imagine the ciaos; people pushing, grabbing, and trying to get to Him. However this woman was different, the moment she touched Him, He felt the power leave. 

     Luke 8 and Matthew 9 speak of how the woman made her way through the crowd, and how she came up behind Jesus to touch His cloak. She specifically reached for the hem of Christ's garment. In order to do this she had to go low enough to touch the hem, she had to literally bow down. She had to relinquish all form of pride, self-preservation, and human wisdom. She had to humble herself to bow down in the crowded street, to be open to be impacted by Christ's power. She had to stop looking at her current situation through her own perspective, and start looking for Christ's solution. She knew that with that one touch she would be healed! It was by her humility and faith that she received that. 


     Now, can you imagine bowing down in the middle of a crowded street?? Think about if your favorite actor or actress came to your town. There would be hundreds, if not thousands, of people gathered around him or her. That is what it was like in the street that day. Jesus, the son of God, was passing by and everyone wanted to see. This woman had the courage and the faith to bow down in front of all of those people just to touch Jesus' garment.  Would you? 


     There is a huge difference in this woman and everyone else who touched Jesus that day. In fact, when Jesus asked who had touched Him Peter responded, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you." But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone from me. " (Luke 8:45-46) While everyone else was standing up, she was bowing. They were apart of the crowd, content to be at the same level with Jesus. The people were unaware of their need for His power, while she recognized her lack of worth and need for Him. The woman humbled herself to pursue the very thing she desired. Her solution was found only by humbling herself before Christ and surrendering everything to the word of God. 

     You see, you can be apart of the crowd, but until you recognize your true humility and your complete dependence on Christ and His word, you will only be in the vicinity. You will remain untouched. Many times Christ allows us to carry burdens and go through trials so that we, in return, will recognize that need for Him and to draw us to His power. We should, instead, be constantly walking in humility, seeking to touch Christ. We are to want nothing more than to live in Christ's presence, to seek him daily. In order for this to happen, we must be willing to leave the security of our comfort zone and step out in faith, to pursue the path that will take us the closest to Jesus. We must let go, and get low before Christ. Bow before Him today, and see the miracles happen in you life.