DAY 3

“’Who touched me?’ Jesus asked. When they all denied it Peter said, ‘Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.’ But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.’ The woman seeing that she could not go unnoticed came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.’” —Luke 8:45-46

Here we see Jesus immediately shift His focus when the woman touched His robe. He was intensely focused on where He was headed—to heal a dying 12-year-old girl—yet stopped the instant He felt power leave His body. “Who touched me?” (vs 45). Someone had found healing in Jesus.

With laser like focus Jesus stopped everything to ask His disciples who touched Him! Someone had drawn near with enough faith to pull from the life-giving power radiating from His body. Clearly this was unusual as there were hundreds of people nearly crushing Him as He pressed through the large crowd.

This woman was different. Though she desperate and at the end of her rope, she was so full of faith when she reached out she immediately found healing in Jesus.

This precious woman had a debilitating physical illness that no doubt caused tremendous pain in her body but also, in the culture she lived in, would have caused her to be a total outcast from society. Can you imagine having an embarrassing and incurable physical illness and all the while, one by one, the people around you turn their back on you? What rejection and pain this must have caused. No wonder she was wiling to risk it all that day to pursue healing in Jesus.

She was desperate! She wanted freedom. Freedom from the physical illness, yes; but I imagine she would also have been desperate for freedom from the emotional pain and isolation this illness caused her as well.

She risked everything by coming out in public that day but her faith was stirred within her spirit and she had hope—there was just something about Jesus. Against all odds this precious woman drew near to Jesus and in return Jesus drew near to her.

What a wonderful reflection this is of the nature and character of God! God cares for you! He always has time for you. It doesn’t matter what else is going on in the world—when you draw on Him in faith, He responds. Seek and you will find (Mt. 7:7). She found healing in Jesus and in turn He transformed the story of her illness and rejection into a testimony of His limitless power and unconditional acceptance!

FRIEND, You may be dealing with a physical illness or maybe you’ve been battling with the sting of rejection for much of your life, or perhaps both.

Wherever you are right now take a moment and allow your heart to draw near to God. Let the cry from your heart be the hand that reaches out to touch the hymn of His garment. In faith, allow Him wash over you with His perfect peace and acceptance in order that you find the rest and healing and renewal that you so desperately need.

TODAY: Reach out in faith today friend. God cares so deeply for you that He notices when you reach out in faith to touch Him. Allow this powerful truth to refresh and water your soul today friend.

READ: Luke 8:40-56; Psalm 34:18; Matthew 6:26-34

Subscribe to our Daily Devotionals by clicking HERE.

Receive $5 OFF a signed copy of my book, Created for the Impossible! Order HERE and use COUPON CODE: devotional