I can envision the scene now: an overcrowded street, full of sweaty bodies pushing and pressing up against one another just to be near and see the man everyone is talking about, the man named Jesus. And one amidst the crowd is a woman who has suffered from bleeding for 12 years. It says in Mark 5:26, “She had suffered much under many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better but rather grew worse.” She had tried all the medicine and all the remedies the world had to offer . . . none of them had healed her. And having heard about Jesus and his ability to heal others, she believed in the power of being near to him, of touching him and feeling him presence. So she made her way through the crowd believing in faith, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well” (vs. 28). I’m sure she had to work very hard to reach him, pushing her way through the crowd and stretching her arm as far as it possibly could reach just to make the distance. And believing in faith that she would be healed from her disease, she grabbed his garment. Knowing that healing power had gone out from him, Jesus stopped dead in his tracks and asked, “Who touch my garments” (vs. 30). The disciples thought he was crazy for asking the question, as a sea of faces surrounded them. “Who touched me,” he asked a second time (vs. 31). The woman, shaking with fear, approached Jesus and fell to his feet. “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease” (vs. 34).
In just one moment, in just one single touch, undeserved grace and healing mercy were hers. Today, as I remember Maria and the journey God has taken me on since her home-going a year ago today, I understand the power that is in the healing touch of God. And while He didn’t heal Maria with the touch we selfishly wanted, He healed her forever! While I am here, still on this side of eternity, I must continue to move toward Jesus. I have to push through the crowd of emotions: anger, fear, doubt, sadness, grief, stretching the hands of my heart to grab a hold of Jesus. And it is in those moments when I truly move toward him and cling to him that the sea of emotions is calmed. I understand my need for grace: grace for the moment, grace for the day, and grace for this life. And just as Jesus told the bleeding woman after she had been healed, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your disease,” I must remember that faith in Jesus is what leads to complete restoration of the broken hearted. To be honest, there are moments that it is hard to see God as the one who heals and comforts his people. But I must have faith in those moments, and in having faith, my heart will be healed.
I pray this encourages you today. Thank you for your continued prayers for my family and me as we remember our sweet Missy Moo today.
