By Justin Morton
The Synoptic Gospels record an encounter Jesus had with a woman who was having a serious health issue (Matt. 9:18-22; Mk. 5:21-34; Lk. 8:41-48). She was persistently bleeding and had been for 12 years. She had been to see doctor after doctor and had been prescribed many different remedies but none of that did any good. In time, she not only grew worse but she found herself broke, having spent all that she had trying to get better.
That is when she decided to take matters into her own hands. Having heard the reports about Jesus, this woman, frail as she was, fought through a crowd of people just so she could get close enough to touch the fringe of His garment. Notice, she was not concerned with speaking with Him. All she wanted to do was get close enough that she could reach out and touch a part of his clothing. If we did not have the next verse, the actions of the woman would seem strange. However, we read what the woman was thinking: she believed if she got close enough to touch Jesus, she would be made well (Matt. 9:21; Mk. 5:28). What great faith!
This woman had spent years searching for healing but had nothing to show for it. Yet, having heard the reports about Jesus, she had enough faith to simply trust in His power. And it’s a good thing she did. We read Jesus telling her, “Your faith has made you well” (Lk. 9:48).
Like this woman, we have heard and read the reports about Jesus. We have experienced His power. The question is, “What will we do?” when we encounter struggles and difficult situations, where do we turn? Will we have enough faith to trust Jesus and act in faith even when our circumstances seem hopeless?