In a bustling crowd, it’s easy to be near Jesus, but far harder to truly touch Him. In Luke 8:43-48 (King James Version), we encounter a woman who, driven by desperation, reached out in faith to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment. Her story, as shared in a recent sermon, reveals profound truths about the nature of faith, the power of Christ, and the necessity of moving beyond mere proximity to a genuine connection with the Savior. This passage challenges us to examine our own hearts: Are we simply brushing against Jesus in the crowd, or are we reaching out with the kind of faith that transforms lives? Let’s delve into the lessons from this account and consider how they apply to us today.
Proximity Is Not the Same as Connection (Luke 8:43-45)
The scene in Luke 8 begins with a crowd pressing around Jesus as He journeys to heal Jairus’ dying daughter. Among them is a woman who had suffered from an issue of blood for twelve years. She had spent all her wealth on physicians, yet none could heal her. Financially depleted, socially isolated, and religiously unclean according to Leviticus 15:25-27, she was an outcast with nowhere left to turn. In her desperation, she pushed through the crowd, not content to merely be near Jesus. She believed that even touching the border of His garment would bring healing. As Luke 8:43-45 states, “And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?”
The crowd was close to Jesus, jostling and pressing against Him, yet only one woman connected with Him through faith. Peter’s confusion highlights the distinction: proximity is not connection. Many today attend church, read their Bibles, or pray routinely, yet fail to engage with Jesus in a transformative way. Being in the crowd is good, even necessary, as Hebrews 10:25 commands us not to forsake assembling together. But proximity alone does not draw the power of Christ. The woman’s deliberate, desperate touch teaches us that true connection requires faith, not just physical nearness. We must ask ourselves: Are we content with being close to Jesus, or are we reaching out to truly touch Him?
Faith Draws Power From Christ (Luke 8:46)
When the woman touched Jesus’ garment, something remarkable happened. Luke 8:46 records, “And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.” The Greek word for “virtue” here is dunamis, meaning power, the same word used in Romans 1:16 to describe the gospel as “the power of God unto salvation.” This was not a magical act or a depletion of Jesus’ strength; it was a divine response to the woman’s faith. Her trust activated the power of Christ, bringing instant healing. This moment underscores a vital truth: faith is the conduit through which God’s power flows into our lives.
Hebrews 11:6 declares, “But without faith it is impossible to please him.” The woman’s faith, though expressed in the smallest act of touching the hem of Jesus’ garment, was enough to move the hand of God. Similarly, in Matthew 8:8, the Roman centurion believed Jesus could heal his servant with just a word, and Jesus marveled at his faith. Neither status nor eloquence matters; what moves Christ is simple, sincere trust. Whether it’s a mustard seed of faith or a bold declaration, when we reach out to Jesus in belief, His power meets our need. The woman’s story reminds us that even the lightest touch of faith can draw the limitless power of heaven.
Trust Means Stepping Forward (Luke 8:47-48)
Jesus’ question, “Who touched me?” was not born of ignorance but served a greater purpose: to transform the woman’s private faith into a public testimony. Luke 8:47-48 describes her response: “And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” Her trembling confession turned a personal act of trust into a public blessing, glorifying God and encouraging others.
Jesus’ tender address, “Daughter,” is profound. To a woman shunned by society, cut off from the temple, and likely unused to kindness, this word affirmed her value and acceptance. Her faith not only brought physical healing but restored her spiritually and socially, allowing her to return to the temple and community. Jesus’ words, “Thy faith hath made thee whole,” confirm that her trust in Him was the key to her transformation. This challenges us to step forward in faith, even when it’s uncomfortable or costly. Like the woman, we may feel unworthy or hesitant, but trusting Jesus means boldly declaring what He has done, trusting Him to meet us in our brokenness.
Conclusion
The story of the woman with the issue of blood is a powerful reminder that being near Jesus is not enough; we must reach out in faith to truly connect with Him. Her desperation drove her to Jesus, her faith drew His power, and her trust led her to step forward, transforming her life and testifying to His glory. In 2025, the question remains: Are we merely in the crowd, or are we touching Jesus with desperate faith? Psalm 34:18 assures us, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.” If we approach Him with a broken, trusting heart, He will meet us with His power and grace. Let us not settle for proximity but pursue a connection that changes everything. As we reflect on this truth, may we pray for the desperation to touch Jesus, trusting Him to do what only He can.
