A Touch Of the Master's Robe

Matthew 9:20-22
“And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.”
I can imagine this woman upon hearing that Jesus was coming to town and hearing of all the miracles that He had preformed was excited and desperate to get to meet Him for a chance to be healed. She had consulted others and had no relief from her misery. She had prayed that this problem would be taken from her but for twelve years she had suffered on.
As the crowds began to gather around Jesus I am sure that she was frustrated to find that the opportunity to meet with Jesus was slipping away as she cried out to Him for help. I imagine that she said; “If I could only get to touch Him, just for a moment, I would be healed.” As she reached out through the crowds, her fingers stretching through the throng of people praying for just a touch.
I remember watching the movie Coal Miner’s Daughter as Loretta Lynn walked through a crowd one of the fans reached out to her with a pair of scissors and cut off a lock of her hair, screaming as she ran away excited about her encounter with the first lady of country music.
When Teresa and I went to Talladega for the NASCAR race she ended up with tickets for a chance to meet her favorite driver. Teresa, who does not get up early, was up at 4:00am pushing me out the door for a chance to be first in line to meet with Sterling Marlin and the thought of touching him as she got his autograph.
Jesus is still there waiting for us to come to Him for a touch of His garment to be healed, to be changed, to be made new. At the woman’s encounter with the Master, He stopped and turned to look at her and tell her she was made well because of her faith in Him. As the sinner comes to Jesus confessing their sins and seeking forgiveness, it is Jesus who reaches out and touches them and they are changed forever.

Prayer:
Father, help us to have the faith of this woman, and that we too would seek an encounter with you through your Son. Amen

Thought:
Are we reaching out for a chance of a lifetime or a life changing opportunity that lasts for eternity?