Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years. She had endured much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had; and she was no better, but rather grew worse. She had heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I but touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately her hemorrhage stopped; and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease. Immediately aware that power had gone forth from him, Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes?” And his disciples said to him, “You see the crowd pressing in on you; how can you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ” He looked all around to see who had done it. But the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came in fear and trembling, fell down before him, and told him the whole truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
Mark 5: 25-34
In our visit to Magdala, we recounted this passage in which a woman was healed from twelve years of suffering by simply touching the fringe of Jesus’ clothes.
We walked down into a room in which there was a large mural depicting the miracle of the woman who was healed by touching the edge of Jesus’ cloak. We spent some time in here praying for healing. Once we made out way back upstairs, our Magdala volunteer guide asked us to sing a song. Together we joined in a beautiful version of “Amazing Grace.”
October 23, 2019
We spent a maximum of five minutes in this room – recalling this scripture. It was five minutes, and it was incredibly emotional. Praying for healing isn’t something that I am ever comfortable with. I don’t know why, but it always feels awkward.
In that moment, it felt natural. Maybe because this time I truly believed God could bring healing to what and who I was praying for.
I was inspired by the faith of this woman. Twelve years of suffering.
She pushed through the crowds on hand and knee, knowing this would be as close as she could get to Jesus. She knew deep down in her bones that if she just touched his clothes, she would be healed.
And as she touched the edge of his clothes, Jesus felt his power leave him. He asked his disciples, “Who touched my clothes?” No one knew. It was crowded and people had been pushing up to see Jesus. But get this:
He looked all around to see who had done it.
Jesus at this point was not looking to accuse or scare of the person who had touched his clothes. He was seeking out this person. He wanted to see this person face to face. He wanted to know them, to be more than just what this person had heard about them. He wanted to be their God, their Savior. He knew this person already had incredible faith and wanted to this moment to be personal.
The woman couldn’t keep her secret and fell to his feet trembling. And Jesus, looking at her, responded saying “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease.”
I don’t know about you, but (1) I want the faith of this woman. I want to be pushing in my faith. I want to push past the distractions and temptations of this world to touch Jesus. To know that in him I can find healing, I can find peace, and rest, and love, and joy and contentment. And (2) I am overjoyed that Jesus wants to know me, that he seeks me out and finds me. That he wants my faith to be personal. I am so grateful that Jesus continues to seek me when I forget to see him.
Jesus, thank You for seeking us out. For wanting a personal relationship with us. For finding us when we don’t always make the time to find You. Thank You. Lord help us to have faith like the woman who trusted that if she touched the edge of Your clothes that she would be healed. Help us to push past the distractions and temptations to touch You. May our faith grow deeper. Amen.
Abbey Jo
Adventures with Abbey Jo 
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