Reach for the fringe

Desperate. But not hopeless. Penniless. But not broke.

For twelve very long years.

She knew the law. She lived the shame. For twelve very long years.

Unclean.

If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, not at the time of her menstrual impurity, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her impurity, all the days of the discharge she shall continue in uncleanness. As in the days of her impurity, she shall be unclean. (Leviticus 15:25, ESV)

Not for a week… or two, but for twelve years.

It seemed as though not only was she ostracized by her closest community, but that God Himself had crossed His arms and wagged His finger.

Doctors were powerless. Finances exhausted. Prayers unanswered.

Desperately, she reached out. Extending her hand through the crush of the crowd, feeling for what she could not see… His robe. Just the fringe. Perhaps the tassel of that is described in Numbers 15.

She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. (Luke 8:44, ESV)

A touch.

Twelve years of prayers racing through the tip of her finger. Twelve years of tears distilled in a touch.

Power.

“Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.”

Jesus words say it best. Power. Instantaneous healing.

Embarrassment chased away the joy. What she had hoped to do in private, was now public. Nameless, she was not voiceless.

And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. (Luke 8:47, ESV)

Her act of faith now became a declaration. Healed. Restored. Cleansed.

Even His clothing gave testimony that Jesus was the Christ.

She lived the very instruction of Jesus, before He had spoken the words…

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

The words of Jesus, lived out before He spoke them. Power. Upon you. Compelling her to be His witness.

No fear, or shame, or status could control her hand. She reached… and so should we. Because He alone, in Him alone, through Him alone… healing. Wholeness.

Then, the words that likely rang in her ears for the rest of her life…

“Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” (ESV)

Daughter. Peace.

She had been an outcast living with only turmoil and distress…

Now, a daughter, with peace.

Daughter. The only name that really mattered.

Peace. The posture that’s only possible through His power.

Reach for the fringe. He’s waiting.