On her way back from the well, she saw a group of women sitting off the side of the road. There was an elderly woman sitting on a rock in the middle of them, sharing stories about a man named Jesus who had healed the sick and given sight to the blind. The other women were gathered around her feet and listening closely to what she had to say. A bit surprised to see them resting on the side of the road, she ducked off the normal path, trying to remain hidden amongst the trees and overgrown bush. Normally, she never encountered others during her daily trek to the well. After being labeled unclean due to her ongoing issue of blood, she tried to avoid the awkwardness and shame she felt around other women, so she ventured to the well a bit later in the day.

The elderly woman had a long braid of grey hair that reached almost to the bottom of her back. Her complexion resembled the same color as coffee beans and her face had multiple lines to show she had lived long and carried great wisdom. She sat up straight with strong shoulders that had not slumped after years of daily visits to the well. Her voice carried far beyond their group and she captivated everyone’s attention. Her stories spoke of how Jesus had rebuked the demons from Mary Magdalene and healed a centurion’s servant. She moved her hands with animation as if talking to children and accentuating certain parts of the story for emphasis. The listeners were glued to her every word, forgetting about the chores that awaited them back home.

When hearing the part about the servant being healed, she badly wanted to cross the invisible lines that kept her hidden from plain view, to join the others, ask questions and know all the details about this miraculous Jesus. But she knew that she couldn’t get that close without the women covering their faces and running away, as if what she had was contagious. Instead, she lingered behind a tree and listened to every word the elderly woman shared about this Jesus. 

He was a carpenter but was known for his teaching. He often spoke in parables that confused some and astounded others. Many believed he was the Son of God while others thought him to be full of blasphemy. She remembered hearing of John the Baptist and how he was preparing the way for the One to come. According to the woman’s stories, Jesus was this One he mentioned. 

She felt her pulse quicken and her excitement grow as the woman continued to speak of evidence that this man truly was the Son of God. Would she allow herself to believe that perhaps she could be healed? For the last twelve years, she had tried every remedy and took every advice that had been given but nothing had worked. Could this Jesus be the Messiah? Was He here to save them all, including her? With all of her life’s wages gone, she could not afford to do much else but believe. So she did. She believed every word she heard coming from the woman.

Lifting her face to the sky, she let her cloak fall back off of her head and the sunshine spread warmly across her forehead. She spread her arms out to her sides and turned in a circle. Hope was in the clouds and she felt her heart stir with faith. 

She hurried home and tried getting some rest before she traveled to the coast to greet Jesus. But when she laid down to sleep, her eyes would not close because she was nervous and anxious about what could happen. Instead of sleeping, she paced back and forth throughout most of the night. Her thoughts were jumbled as she tried to figure out the logistics of seeing Him and having the chance to be healed. Based on what the woman said, he traveled with other men and a few women who served his ministry. Should she try to talk to the women first so they could let her talk to him? They wouldn’t know she was unclean. She just needed to ask him for healing. Or should she be bold and just ask him for help?

“If He’s healed the others, I know He can heal me,” she whispered to herself. She dropped to her knees offering praise to God. She wanted to be prepared but at the same time, she had no idea what to expect. She began packing her travel bag to pass the time. She threw in extra cleansing cloths but she knew in her heart that she would not need them much longer.

“The Son of God has endless power. I only need to touch the hem of his garment.” She felt her heart open wide with love and faith for Jesus.

To keep from losing her courage, she started out early for the journey. It wasn’t hard to find where He was because there were crowds already gathering. She wasn’t the only one who needed to see or hear from Jesus.

The closer she got, the larger the crowds grew. She kept her head down and covered as she weaved in and out of all the people. She feared that someone would recognize her or know that she wasn’t allowed amongst everyone else, so she never stayed in one spot too long. She kept moving forward until she could glimpse His head. The men He  journeyed with kept a protective circle around Him.

She felt sweat drip down her back as she joined the throng of followers. Her breathing sped up and she could feel her heart beating in her ears. She tried her best not to trip over some of the young children holding the hands of their mothers while also not bumping into some of the elderly who were also trying to catch of glimpse of the Messiah.

The crowd suddenly came to a halt because Jesus had been stopped by a man named Jairus, a ruler in one of the synagogues.

This is my chance! She pushed forward, apologizing as she went and stooped down to crawl the last few steps to Jesus. It was as if there was a magnetic pull that she couldn’t resist that drew her closer and closer. She stretched her hand out as far as it would go and her fingertips brushed the hem of his garment. Immediately, she felt a change in her body. The ache she had grown to live with in the pit of her stomach immediately stopped and she felt a spark vibrate all throughout her body, spreading from the inside out.

“Who touched me?” she heard Jesus ask. She froze in place. How did He know she had touched Him? She tried not to panic. She needed to assemble her thoughts. She had to do it. She had no choice. She needed healing and knew He was the only way to receive it. It was worth it. Would someone turn her in?

The one called Peter said, “Master, the multitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’”

But Jesus responded, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.”

Surprising herself, she burst threw the crowd and threw herself down in front of Jesus and his followers. She trembled, daring not look up in fear that she would see the stares or hear the whispers of others. Or worse, He would be upset with her for touching Him without His permission. 

Before anyone could grab her, she began talking rapidly and sharing her story. The words poured out of her as she explained the years she had spent secluded and alone because her body would not stop producing blood. She explained the pain she had been living with and how she no longer had money to see any other advisors to fix the issue. The tears ran down her cheeks as she professed how she wanted to move on with her life and be considered clean with friends, family and neighbors. She shared how she was tired of being frowned upon and treated like a leper because of something that was beyond her control. She felt relief as she spoke about how she would now be able to rejoin society and be apart of the community. She apologized to Jesus for her boldness but also explained how the bleeding had immediately stopped and she was healed as soon as she touched him. 

The crowd had grown quiet and she could feel her pulse in her throat as she knelt at his feet. When she looked up, a circular glow of light surrounded Him because of the bright sun behind Him. She had to concentrate so she could see his face. His skin was a deep olive and the sun peeked through the tight curls that surrounded his head. His eyes held compassion and love, making her forget the crowd that surrounded them.

He looked her in her eyes and said, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” Him and his followers immediately began moving forward. 

As the crowd walked around her, she stayed on her knees and cried out praises of thanks while tears of joy ran down her face. Different ones patted her back or rubbed her affectionately on her head as they passed. When she stood to move out of the way, a smile spread widely across her face. She wanted to dance or jump up and down in joy. She turned back to see Him again for she knew she her eyes had beheld glory. He was already being whisked away in a different direction so she returned to her knees and continued to cry out praise and thankfulness.

She thanked God for the faith that was given to her as well as for the compassion she received. She realized the risk of what she had done and how it was He whom she needed all this time.

Author Commentary:

This story was based on Luke 8:43-44. Why write about the woman with the issue of blood? Her story of healing and how Jesus dealt with her fascinates me. She had a bold, determined faith and demonstrated courage after she had received healing. She could have ran away and never admitted to touching Jesus’ garment and went home to live in her new health. She could have been worried about what others would say about her issue or worried about judgement around what she needed healing from or how she went about getting healed. Instead of running away or fearing His response, she shared her heart with Jesus in the presence of others. While there were so many others clamoring for His attention, He responded individually to her with compassion and even spoke a blessing of peace over her. 

I believe that others were blessed by her demonstration that day. If only we could all be bold enough to share our story, our fears or our desires in front of others because of vulnerability to the One. If we could lay aside the assumptions or judgements and open our hearts the way Jesus did, perhaps we could witness more breakthrough, healing and peace.

Whatever it is you need, I encourage you to run boldly to the One who has all the answers. Be it physical, emotional or spiritual, He is capable of providing ALL you may need or want. He also provides resources through friends, pastors, counselors and advisors that can help you get what you need. You are not alone in your journey, no matter what lies the enemy tries to tell you. Go forward in the faith and courage to share your story and be blessed.