We don’t need to be afraid to approach Jesus when facing pain in our lives.

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A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding.
She had suffered a great deal from many doctors,
and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them,
but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse.
She had heard about Jesus,
so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe.
Mark 5:25-27 New Living Translation

Eugene, Oregon
Copyright Douglas P Brauner

After taking many pictures of this Blue Heron, he wanted me to disappear. He gave me “the look;” that look that says, “Really, don’t you have something better to do than to disrupt my fishing. I’m hungry. Move on to some other unfortunate creature and leave me alone.”

I’m often surprised that Jesus didn’t have the same response to the demands of people. Why didn’t he tell people to leave, to bug off, to get lost. He had to be tired. He must have needed a vacation, and yet, people continually made demands of him; people who were desperate.

So, a woman comes up behind Jesus simply to touch the edge of his garments hoping that her ever-present flow of blood would stop. Was she thinking of Jesus? Was she thinking of the pressing demand to heal a synagogue leader’s daughter? Probably not. She knew what she needed. Nothing was going to deter her from the hope of healing.

She touched his clothing and was healed. She knew that she was cured. Now it was time to get out of Dodge before Jesus said anything; no need for further embarrassment.

“Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over.” (v.34)

This Blue Heron might have given me “the look,” but Jesus will never give us that look. His love for this woman who in fear and faith touches his garment is the same love that he has for you and me in our fear and faith. He will not turn his back on us.

The healing of this woman is more than a hope of physical healing, it is a picture of ultimate healing. One day our “flow of blood,” our suffering, will stop. Our pain will be over. Because of Christ’s blood flowing from his cross, we hold on to the hope of that day when, having touched the fringe of Jesus garments by faith, God heals us.

Text and Picture Copyright Douglas P. Brauner