Press Towards Jesus

Matthew 9:20 – 21 “Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, ‘If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.’”

Have you ever been in a situation where you felt desperate, like there was nothing you could do. You struggle with insomnia, fatigue, depression, pain etc. You know that God is in control but there are days when you just want to crawl under the covers and sob.

The woman who touched Jesus’ cloak must have felt the same sort of desperation. The Bible says she had been bleeding for 12 years. Not only was she suffering physically, she was also probably suffering emotionally. In Jewish society, such a woman would have been labelled “unclean”. Because of this status, she would have been considered an outcast. The loneliness and isolation must have felt overwhelming. No wonder she pressed through the multitude of people who were following the Messiah. She must have believed that touching him was her only hope.
Imagine her breathless expectation as she reached toward Jesus.....and her overwhelming relief when she realised that he had, indeed, relieved her suffering. What joy must have flooded her the very instant she touched the hem of his cloak!

Jesus is our Great Physician. Sometimes he heals in an instant, other times he heals over a period of years or he waits to heal allowing us to press into him so that he can “strengthen (us) with his power through his spirit in (our) inner being” Ephesians 3:16. At other times, he does not heal. Then, like Paul, we learn that “(God’s) power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

The ways in which God ministers to people are as varied as the people he touches – but he is always faithful to bring peace and joy, even in the midst of our suffering. Press into Him and experience his power.