PROVIDENCE AND GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, 25 April 2025 Anno Domini, the Anglican Orthodox Communion Worldwide
43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44 Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched. 45 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? 46 And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me. 47 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. 48 And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”
Our Lord has just returned from the Gaderenes across the Sea of Galilee and walking down a part of Capernaum.
Now there was in Capernaum a woman who suffered for many years with an issue of blood. Her days were never filled with the joy of life, but with a constant misery and dread from an issue of blood for which she had spent all her savings on physicians, but never improved. In fact, she only got worse.
She expended all hope of healing and must have, in the dreary loneliness of her home, contemplated the approaching specter of death.
It is often the case that visits from friends and relatives grow few and far between for one who suffers a besetting illness. It may not be because of a lack of love, but the dread of seeing a friend or sister suffer so without hope. So this woman spent many lonely days in her unfortunate affliction.
She had heard rumors of a great prophet who was able to heal; to the uttermost – even resurrect the dead; but her declining health would not allow her to travel in seeking Him out. She heard that His name was Jesus.
One day, as she sat at her window overlooking the street below, she dreamed of the days of her youth when life was so rich and free; but now, all has faded as a tiny star on the distant horizon. For her, there would be no more days of happy abandon. All was gloom and darkness, without hope or remedy.
Suddenly, there was an excited disturbance on the street below. A multitude of men and women were gathered about a single figure that seemed to be One of great importance. Everyone was trying to get nearer to Him.
Out of curiosity, the woman inquired of a passing stranger of the identity and cause of the commotion. The answer: “Jesus is coming!”
The woman would never have the opportunity again to approach this Jesus; but since she could not go to Jesus, it was more than chance that Jesus came to her. He knew of her troubles long before they met on that busy street. He had reserved this woman’s plight to be a witness to all in Capernaum. But He did not pay heed to the woman, but allowed her to pay heed to Him.
For once in a long while, the woman rushed downstairs in hopes of being healed at last – it was truly her LAST chance.
The crowd around Jesus was thick, and every man vied to get nearest to Him. She tried to penetrate the men flocking about Christ, but could not for the congested attendants. Sometimes, it is those who are closest to Christ, or presume themselves to be, that prevent others from coming near Him. It happens in churches every day.
The woman perceived her only chance was to prostrate herself completely and crawl close enough to merely touch His garment. From all she had heard, just that one touch would heal her. So she finally was able to get close enough to do that very thing. As she touched His garment, she felt her body healed completely and immediately.
When Jesus turned and exclaimed, “Who touched me?” the woman was fearful and realized that her act was known. In trembling she came and knelt before Jesus and confessed her purpose in touching His garment,
and was healed at once. At that moment, she KNEW Him. Her faith had drawn her to Christ, and the Lord proclaimed, “Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”
Not only was the poor lady healed of her physical affliction, but she was made whole in Christ at once.
Christ has a way of showing up seemingly by chance for those who seek Him. “Seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you.”
As soon as Christ had drawn near, this woman took full advantage to come near to Him. It was her last hope, and she took it. Quite often, the only means of approaching Christ is to place our only hope in Him. He does not pass us by in chance, but purpose. He knows our needs and comes to us when we are unable to approach Him.
May each of us take every opportunity to learn of our Lord and feel our hearts with His Beauty and Love. Until next time, God bless you and Goodnight.
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