A TIMID WOMAN

There was often a crowd of people around Jesus.  They wanted to be near Him, to hear Him, to see Him, to be right there if something significant happened.  That was not her reason. 

She was timid.  She didn’t want to be the center of attention.  She’d had a chronic problem with hemorrhaging for many years; it was embarrassing.  “She had spent every penny she had on doctors but not one had been able to help her.”  Somewhere, she had learned that if she could just touch the hem of the Messiah’s garment, she would be healed.  That’s all she wanted to do - just slip in, touch the edge of His robe, and then slip away;  hopefully unnoticed!    

In the 21^st century, we are not familiar with the significance of hems and tassels at the time of Christ.  We do know that in Matthew 23, Jesus condemns the Pharisees because “they do all their deeds to be noticed by men;  for they broaden their phylacteries [a small case containing scripture texts worn on the forehead for religious purposes] and lengthen the tassels of their garments.”  [v.5]  Extra-biblical references indicate that the hem of a man’s garment was somewhat equal to his signature.

We don’t have the video – but somehow, she got close enough and was able to touch the hem of His garment.  Did He pause long enough for her to kneel and do so?  We know the scene was full of people crowding around Jesus.  She was discreet.  No one noticed what she did – not even Jesus. 

But, He felt power being drawn from Him!  This is remarkable to us!  Somehow, Jesus knew that someone had drawn on His healing power!  How AMAZING!!!!!  His immediate response was to say, “Who touched me?”  His disciples were incredulous.  Finally, Peter spoke up, “Master, we’ve got crowds of people on our hands.  Dozens have touched You.”  [v.45]

The woman tried to be invisible until she realized that she couldn’t remain hidden.  Ultimately, she fell to her knees and confessed that she was the one who had touched Him.  She was terrified.  “In front of all the people, she blurted out her story – why she had touched Him and how at that same moment she was healed.”  [v.47]

Jesus – always full of compassion – spoke to her, “Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole.  Live well, live blessed!”  [v.48]

And in that instant, Jesus was pulled away from her to attend to another need.  She was left standing alone on the dusty road – HEALED AND WHOLE!  Her faith had been acknowledged and rewarded! 

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In that moment, surrounded by people she didn't know, this woman felt the need to confess publicly her dilemma and need.  She admitted that she was the one who had touched Jesus and drawn healing power from Him!  She blurted out this embarrassing medical condition that had caused her so much discomfort and shame for so long!  

I wasn't there, but somehow, I know that her eyes were not on the crowd - they were on Jesus.  His compassion captivated her!  He cared!  He genuinely cared about her!  She could see it in His eyes.  He loved her - even though this was the first time He'd met her!  She felt His warmth and acceptance.  No shame, no guilt - only peace and joy!  And then - He was gone!

We don't hear much public confession these days - not even in the church.  Perhaps we're too proud;  or too fearful.  

It's interesting how we elevate certain scriptures and seem to ignore others.  

James 5:13-20 is one of those passages that seems to be largely ignored in many churches today.  

At Monacrest this past Sunday, Pastor Raeanne singled out a person with a physical need for prayer.  She invited anyone who cared to come and 'lay hands on her'.  It was a beautiful response as people from all around the congregation moved immediately to her seat and physically participated in this focused prayer time!  I was moved by the caring!  

Her need was made public.  There was no judgment or shame.  Only caring and concern.  It was what one would expect to see in a church setting where we claim to love one another!  

This passage clearly exhorts us:

"Make this your common practice:  Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you can live together whole and healed."  [v.16]

Not many study the history of the great revivals, but the record clearly indicates that they ALL began with public confession of sin!  

Hmmm...maybe we should take a second look at this passage?