“A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure.  Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped” (Luke 8:43-48, NLT).

WHO touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this crowd is pressing against you.” But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.”  

When THE WOMAN realized she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The crowd heard her explain why she had touched Him and her immediate healing.  

DAUGHTER,” He said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”

The Bible does not identify the woman by name, even though three of the four Gospels mention her. All we know about her is that she had a need. She had bled and suffered for twelve long years. She had spent all her money on doctors, but nothing she tried had helped. Because of Jewish law, she was considered unclean by all those around her. Friends, family, and the entire community ostracized her. Imagine a life with no closeness or human touch for years.

She knew by pressing in to see Jesus, she was breaking all the rules. Everyone that came in contact with her would also be unclean, even Jesus. Her desperation gave her the faith to believe healing would occur if she could touch the hem of His garment. She was considered untouchable by those around her but not by the One who mattered most.    

After years of being judged and ridiculed by society, she felt worthless and hopeless. But on that blessed day, she heard the Healer was passing by. Who did she think she was to ask anything of Him? But she had one thought, Jesus, if I can get to Jesus. As she reached out, she fell to the ground. But that would not stop her faith; she desperately reached out again. She touched the hem of His robe. Suddenly, she felt something. Perhaps it was like a bolt of lightning moving through her hand to her entire body!

The voice of Jesus called out, “Who touched me?” WHO? She still felt so insignificant, but she knew she was changed forever. Who did she think she was to touch the Messiah?   The apostles and religious leaders would judge her and cast her out. She tried to hide as just another woman in the crowd. When THE WOMAN could no longer hide in the shadows, she again fell at His feet and told Him everything. She poured out all she had been through and how Jesus miraculously changed her life instantly!

Jesus could have scolded her for breaking the law, judged or ignored her like all the others. Instead, He called her “DAUGHTER,” and suddenly, nothing else mattered. The woman with nothing and no one now recognized herself as the daughter of the one true living God! With one word from the Master, she went from being a nobody—a WHO, to a somebody—THE WOMAN, and then DAUGHTER—an heir to the Kingdom.

It doesn’t matter what your issues have been in life. You may have felt rejected and abandoned by those that should have cared the most. Maybe those in the church who are called to love, judged and mistreated you. You may ask yourself, “Who do I think I am to ask for His mercy and grace?” You’ve endured hurt, pain, broken dreams, and a broken heart. Reach out today and touch the hem of His garment. He is calling you out from the crowd. The NOBODY you once were in your own eyes will vanish as you become a SOMEBODY in the eyes of Jesus. Experience the life-transforming power of being called a DAUGHTER OF THE KING!

Author

Shelly Stringfellow is the blessed wife of Roy for the past thirty-nine years, a proud mother of two exceptional adult children, Candace and Jordan, and Mimi, to the two cutest grandbabies ever, Ellainya and Selah. She loves reading and writing but is not a fan of ‘rithmetic! She attends Lighthouse Church in Princeton, Texas, where her son-in-law and daughter pastor.

4 Comments

  1. Enjoying this weeks devotions! 🎄❤️💚

    • Thank you, Carrie! It was definitely a challenge but God always comes through when we step out in faith! So glad it ministered to you! 💕