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 heard about Jesus, and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, for she said, “If I 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….Jesus turned about in the crowd and said, “Who touch my clothes?”….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 5:25-29, 30b, 33-34
Boldness brought on healing for a woman that had been ostracized for twelve years by her family and community. Her funds were exhausted; her body had been abused; but her faith gave her the courage to touch Jesus’ clothes. She was made well by simply putting out her hand in the midst of the crowd. She took the initiative! Jesus did the healing!
Disease can be physical, spiritual, or emotional. It can result in poor health, hatred, violence, mistrust, etc. Disease can affect the individual, a family, community, a church, or the world. Often boldness is required for healing in the form of medical assistance, radical negotiations for peace, experimental new liaisons and partnerships, or by accepting what is. Healing does not always imply removing that which is hurting. Healing may be a change in attitude or acknowledging that all are God’s children. Jesus, the Healer brings wholeness in a touch.
In 1885 Mrs. E.C. Ellsworth wrote the hymn “The Healing Touch.” In it she tells the story of the woman in the gospel of Mark. The last two stanzas read:
Oh, near to Christ the many came, in that most favored hour!
But one stretched out the hand of faith, and touched his healing power.
She had touched the hem of his garment, trusting with all her soul;
for every touch of the loving Jesus, can make the wounded whole.
Of all who throng his courts today, who shall receive his word?
Who shall reach forth with faith sincere, to touch the healing Lord?
Come and touch the hem of his garment, trusting with all your soul;
for every touch of the loving Jesus, can make the wounded whole.
Thank you God, for this story. Help me to be bold and courageous as I deal with my own disease and that of my world. Continue to provide a healing touch, a healing word, a healing action for all your children, O God. Amen
Joyce D. Sohl, Laywoman-in-Residence
