The woman who touched Jesus cloak
( Mark 5:21-43, Matt.9:20-22,Luke 8:43-48)
The lady stood near the edge of the large crowd. People had come from everywhere just to see “the Teacher. Jesus”. The lady hesitated a moment and then she quickly covered her face with her scarf and moved forward into the pack of people. For twelve long years this woman had been very sick. Once she’d had money, friends and family close by but now all her money was spent on seeking cures from many doctors to try and make her well but still each day she felt worse!
When she had woken up this morning the woman knew what she had to do. She had heard of Jesus. The whole village had been talking about Jesus’ teaching, healing and what had happened across the lake.
Now was the moment! With her head down she pushed forward through the lively crowd. Her heart was racing and her mind was fixed on one thing. ‘If only, if only I can touch Jesus’ clothes I will be healed!’ Closer, closer, now behind where Jesus was standing. Many people were now pressing in all around him. She lowered her arm and reached her hand past the bodies before her towards the edge ( hem) of Jesus cloak. A final push and then.. Time seemed to stop. Immediately, the woman felt something! Changed …now healing, relief, peace.
But then, Jesus turned suddenly and declared. “Who touched my clothes?” His friends beside him called out “look around you Master. This crowd is huge! Everyone wants to be near you and to hear you”. Jesus stood still and kept looking from side to side. The woman now faced Jesus and she cautiously came forward. She looked up into Jesus eyes and then fell forward onto her knees shaking with fear. So many emotions flooded her thoughts. Would people recognise her? She had crossed many boundaries just to be there that day. Is this real? Then she spoke with a faltering voice. “Teacher, it was me! I touched you.
Jesus looked straight at her and then clearly said to everyone. “Daughter, your faith has healed you! Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.!”
Healing, relief, and now acceptance…
And this wasn’t the end of the healing miracles that day.
We don’t know the name of this lady healed in the crowd or what happened to her next but no doubt her life was changed that moment. The woman showed great faith in trusting Jesus to heal her. What do you need to reach out in prayer to Jesus today? Healing, forgiveness, peace, acceptance?
© Don Stott, Eliab.com 2025
https://www.eliab.com/fathers-day-for-jairus.html
Keep the faith, no need to fear,
Jesus' love is always near.
Reach for him, He'll show the way,
Guiding every single day.
Keep the faith, no need to fear,
Jesus' love is always near!
(Chant with action at the end of each line or
sing to the tune of “Twinkle, twinkle Little Star”)
Keep the faith, no need to fear,
Jesus' love is always near.
Reach for him, He'll show the way,
Guiding every single day.
Keep the faith, no need to fear,
Jesus' love is always near.
Reach for him, He'll show the way,
Guiding every single day.