A Touch of the Master's Hem

 N. T. #543 "A Touch of the Master's Hem"

May 6, 2025 

Luke 8-Part 11

LET IT GLOW

Friend, do you need a touch from the Master's hand? Is your faith strong enough to bow down before Him to touch the Son of God sitting on the throne in heaven? Will you ask for healing today?

Shall we go back and pick up the rest of the story in between the 12-year-old daughter being raised from her deathbed? The father, a ruler in the synagogue, came to Jesus asking Him to come to His house and heal the girl. However, on their way there, amongst the crowd, a woman came up behind Jesus and touched the hem of His garment. 

What happened then? The woman with the issue of blood was stopped, healed. Jesus knew and felt something happened to Him.  Jesus wanted to know who touched Him. 

When she touched Jesus in faith, she was healed. Jesus' omniscience caused Him to perceive her actions and He asked for the woman to identify herself, probably to reveal her publicly to the crowd and to further instruct her. Jesus said her faith had saved her. (Falwell)

With all the people pushing and grabbing, who had not touched Jesus, Peter concluded. Yet, Jesus had sensed the flow of divine power leaving His body, so He continued to search the crowd. It wasn't just a brushing against Him. 

And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched Me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of Me. (verse 46)

In the Greek language, virtue means miraculous power; mighty (wonderful) work; strength.

The woman touched the hem of Jesus' garment and she was healed from her 12-year blood flow. She was trembling and fell down before the Holy Son of God and explained her condition. Her touch of faith had not been overlooked; she wasn't rebuked. Jesus spoke words of kindness from a heart of compassion. 

What did Jesus say to this woman? 

Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. (verse 48)

• Jesus spoke directly to this woman, who was probably older than He was. 
• He called her daughter as a term of endearment. 
• Jesus commended her faith, which most people are missing.
• Jesus said that her faith made her whole (to save, deliver, be or make whole).
• Go in peace, shalom.

LET IT GROW

The woman knew where to go for healing that the physicians could not do. She went to Jesus because she believed He had the power to heal her. This woman was saved from her physical condition and saved from her sin. She went away a new person inside and out.

The Savior taught that His cloak didn't have any magical properties or power. It was this woman's faith in Him that healed her. 

By Jewish law, a man who touched a menstruating woman became ceremonially unclean. (Leviticus 15)

So Jewish men carefully avoided touching, speaking to, or even looking at this woman. She was unclean. Can you imagine how lonely she must have been, much less the horrible situation she was in for 12 years?

What a compassionate Savior! Many times He has healed my sin-sick soul and my body!

LET IT GO

Lord Jesus, we bow down bringing our petitions before you.

You have the power to heal us physically and spiritually.

Your will be done for Your glory.