One of the sweetest episodes in the life of Jesus is found in His encounter with the woman who was bound by a hemorrhaging problem for twelve years. Can you imagine how horrible this poor woman must have felt in her culture? That physical condition would isolate her and forbid her entrance and participation in the congregational worship of God. Rejected by the religious community and financially bankrupt having spent all of her money on doctor bills, she had no other place to turn but to Jesus Christ. In the middle of a large crowd she knew that if she could only touch the Messiah, she could be made whole.
An amazing question is then asked by Jesus: ‘Who touched Me?’ How do you picture Jesus speaking these words? Do you think He was scowling in irritation? Did He yell with disgust? Do you suppose He was thinking: ‘Great! My ministry is about to skyrocket, and now this unclean woman comes along and blows it for Me, for everyone knows how sinful she must be!’?
Oh the compassion of Jesus! He graciously gives this woman the opportunity to identify herself with Him before a large crowd. This woman, formerly considered by others as trash, is now the Lord’s treasure! Not only did this woman’s faith in Jesus grant her a physical healing, it also started her down a path of virtue.
Who can find a virtuous woman? I’ll tell you where you’ll find virtue. Anywhere a woman is touching the heart of Jesus Christ, you will find virtue. This virtue will be evident to all. Ruth, no doubt, was that crown to her husband Boaz. However, any woman who has touched Jesus, regardless of her age or marital status, because of her abiding in Him, will export that precious jewel of virtue. The virtuous woman has both her home and her heart properly prioritized. Virtuous women develop virtuous thinking.
Dear sisters, God’s call for you is to glory and virtue. Today, as we men tip our hats to you, we thank you for how each of you has added virtue to your faith. We are so glad that you have touched Jesus and, in turn, have touched us.
Amen!
Jesus asked many questions during His ministry. Many of His questions were asked to shed light on our darkness and confusion. Why not just tell us the answer? He knows that the best way for us to grow is through introspection, self awareness and self assessment. Brings to mind that well-known TV show Jeopardy- “the answer is in the form of a question”. In a sense Jesus gives us His most powerful answers in the form of questions.
This question “Who touched me?” is different in some ways. Was Jesus curious to know who had touched Him? Buzzer!! Wrong answer! Jesus is omniscient He knew exactly who had touched Him. His disciples were also totally confused in a sense asking – now Jesus, here we are in the middle of a HUGE crowd, You need to minister and people are bumping into each other. But, You are worried about who touched You?
God did not need to ask Adam where he was. Jesus did not need to ask the bleeding lady if she had touched Him. That question was asked for her benefit, for the crowd’s benefit, and for our benefit today. This lady stated her faith and her testimony in an act of praise for THE MESSIAH. We do not know how many others in the crowd were spiritually healed by Jesus. I will venture to say that many were.
As we read the gospels we should highlight and ponder on the many questions Jesus asks for our benefit. They were not only aimed at Pharisees, His disciples, and the crowds of thousands He touched. THEY ARE ALSO MEANT FOR US TODAY. His answers are still in the form of questions that I need to ask myself even as a born-again Christian for my sanctification. Unlike the TV show, He has taken away our jeopardy as our Lord and Savior.
Back to the question, “who touched me?” Just like His love, we touch Him because He first touched us.
God bless Pastor Ray. Through this devotional I touched Him this morning!!!
JoseM