Peace and Freedom in Jesus

In a story found in chapter 4 of the book of Mark, there was a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. Her enduring suffering resulted in her losing almost all her resources in the hope that she'd someday be healed. Yet she got worse.

This woman is one of the many citizens who heard about Jesus and his miraculous acts more than 2,000 years ago. There was no certainty whether this woman truly understood or knew who Jesus was or what his ministry was all about. One day, in the midst of a large crowd, this woman went near Jesus to touch his cloak, believing that by doing so she would be healed of her infirmity.

There was no record of colored smoke coming out of nowhere; no little stars appeared; and there was no shaking of the earth. There was no magic!

Yet the woman’s bleeding immediately stopped—the liberation from long-term suffering has finally come.

Then Jesus stopped.

He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"

This woman came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

The Lord knew who touched his clothes, yet he asked.

The Lord knew who she was, yet he waited for her to come and speak up.

The Lord’s eyes looked around the crowd as if he didn’t know.

But, at the time of our drawing near to Jesus and at the time of our expression of faith, his eyes will definitely be focused and dedicated to us. His attention, his compassion, and his awesome love will be bestowed upon us. "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering."

This story is also our story. We could also be a member of the large crowd that remains suffering because we have not decided to touch Jesus’ clothes. Let not pride, fear, or anxiety hinder us from coming near to Jesus. Peace and freedom from suffering await us in Jesus.