But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. ~Malachi 4:2 (NASB)
We gather around the table.
The new widow.
The exhausted young mom.
The heart-broken grandma.
The financially stressed and the health shattered.
Light seekers, hope clingers, and tassel touchers.
And we talk about her (Luke 8:43-48 NASB.)
Bleeding from body and heart.
For years.
Unclean.
Woman.
Nobody could help or heal her.
She was emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially broken.
Clinging to her last shred of hope, she jostled her way through the crowd that pressed all around Him.
She hid her face and prayed the stench of her issue would go unnoticed.
Her eyes glued to the swaying target and, hand splayed, she felt searing pain in her arm and shoulder as she stretched.
Reaching.
Reaching.
With one last lunge her fingers fastened around the corner (wing) tassel (Numbers 15:38-41 NASB) that hung from His cloak.
One of four containing a blue thread that reminded Him of His responsibility to fulfill God’s commandments.
That revealed His commitment to walk in the law.
The same law He had come to fulfill.
She who lived on the fringe had dared to touch the fringe.
Of . . . the Messiah?
She felt a fire kindle deep inside.
Warmth flooded her body.
And.
He.
Stopped.
She gasped, released her hold, and shrank back.
“Who is the one who touched me?”
He noticed.
The wounded one in the throng who risked to reach.
Who touched not Him but His garment.
Same thing.
“Not me.”
“Not me.”
Everyone denied it, though they had all churned against Him.
“Yes. Someone clung to me. I felt power flow from me.”
She’d been found out, and she nearly fainted.
Trembling, she stumbled back through the crowd and threw herself at His feet.
She told Him her story in front of everyone.
And He called her “Daughter.”
Accepted.
Protected.
Beloved.
Healed by faith.
Saved from suffering.
To walk in peace.
********************
We get sick.
Loved ones die.
Hurt wrecks families.
Life tsunamis wash away money and possessions.
Words shatter hearts.
But in the midst of our sufferings, we can reach for Him.
Stretch out to grasp the tassel, to touch just the corner of His garment.
And though healing may not come in our way or our time, we can walk in His peace.
In the shelter of His wing.
Wishing you peace and joy,
For you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings, I sing for joy. ~Psalm 63:7 (NASB)
good one, sandy.
Thanks, Nancy.
Such an “awe” moment in the life of this woman, beautifully portrayed. Always taken by your way with words, Sandy. Thankful I can reach for our Savior and know that He will stop, and I will be accepted and protected. I am His beloved. Thank you, my friend, for sending me to bed full.
It always amazes me that He knows each one of us–can pick us right out of the crowd. Knows when we reach. Thank you, Kim, for always pointing me toward Him.
Sandy,
So eloquently wrote, what so many of us do…wait until we are “emotionally, spiritually, physically, and financially broken. Clinging to our last shred of hope..” Thank you for the gentle reminder that when we stop, and reach for Jesus…He can and will restore our hearts and lives!
Blessings to you,
~b
Wonderful to see you here, Bridgit.
I love your insight about waiting until we’re clinging to the last shred of hope before we reach for Him. Let’s reach for Him immediately.
The presence of this act of faith is felt through your words. What a gift to be called … “daughter”.
Thank you, Susan. Daughter–that’s a word to dive into.