by Kala Loptien

Who Touched Me?

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

And he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.’
Mark 5:34 ESV

What a bold move. I just love the courage of this woman. She knows that Jesus is in the middle of a great crowd. For twelve years she had hemorrhaged blood without any hope for a cure. Today though… today she was determined. She knew with all her heart that he could heal her. She had heard all the reports. Most importantly: she believed. In swift fashion, she beelines for Jesus, weaving through the crowd. She touches his garment and is immediately healed of her disease.

Is it a coincidence that he appears right when and where she needs him? When he asks who touched him, do you think that was for his benefit? That he didn’t already know? This woman’s story — a very public story — has now become one of the most powerful testimonies. An entire crowd witnessed this miracle. She knew that if she could even touch just a small section of his clothing, that she would be healed. The reality of our stories and our struggles is that we aren’t always guaranteed physical/emotional healing this side of heaven. Jesus even warned us that in this world, we would suffer. The powerful good news is that a testimony is about spiritual healing. Spiritual healing and wellness come from one source and one source alone: Jesus. This woman in Mark’s gospel needed a Savior. Like so many others in the New Testament, my guess is she never stopped talking about her encounter and transformation. 

How about us? Are we sharing the Good News with others? Do we have a story or encouragement that others need to hear? Our lives may be crowded and we might be weary from the trials of life. But this woman taught us we should be beelining for Jesus, arms outstretched. He is the ultimate healer and conqueror. Let’s be bold. Our testimonies are meant to be shared.  

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado