The woman who was healed from bleeding came forward trembling when Jesus asked who touched Him. She had a great amount of faith, but she probably also had a great amount of fear. Others who wanted healing from Jesus would often call out to Him. The lame man even had friends lower him from the roof. Many people came boldly to Jesus. Even Jairus had come boldly, knowing Jesus would help him. But this lady did not even attempt to get His attention, that we're aware of. Perhaps she didn't think she'd be noticed among the crowd. But chances are she didn't feel worthy of Jesus' attention. He was the Teacher and walking with a man of importance. What if He noticed her and rejected her? I can totally relate to her.

When Jesus stopped and called her out, she was shaking with fear. She probably felt as if she would be seen as a thief, stealing power from Jesus. Perhaps He would make the bleeding start again, this time worse. Perhaps He would curse her, humiliate her, and make her even more alone. Instead, Jesus embraced her. He called her "daughter." Not only was she healed, she was loved. Because of her faith.

If she had all of those fears, she risked them all because of her faith. The risk of being rejected was worth it to be healed. Too often we remain in our suffering because we are afraid of the potential consequences of finding healing. This was not the first time she tried to be healed. She lost everything in attempt to be healed. Many people would have given up. But she did not. And because of her faith she finally found healing.

It's not always necessary for us to reach the bottom to receive healing. But we must come to the realization that our hope comes from God, not in anything man can create.

"While the crowd backed away, He drew in close." - Jamie George. Not only did Jesus heal her, He wanted her to be known. She had been an outcast for years, and Jesus caused everyone to take notice that she was healed. He publicly expressed that she was clean and that she is beloved. He provides physical and emotional healing.


"A blessing is the visible, perceptible, effective proximity of God." - D. Bonhoffer

"What we obtain too cheap we esteem too lightly." - Thomas Payne

"To have faith is to see everything against an infinite horizon." - Rolheiser, Against the Infinite Horizon

"Your pain is the concrete way in which you participate in the pain of humanity." Henri Nouwen, The Voice of Inner Love

"Exposure frees us to take in the humanity of our failure and humiliation." Dan Alldean