2024_09_20 Insight Post- Emma Keeton
This week’s reading- Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:43-48
It has been a treat this week to study the story of the woman who bravely touched Jesus’ cloak and received healing. It occurred to me while reading, that Jesus heals our whole person if we accept His invitation to do so. The woman in the gospels was not only physically healed from her 12-year bleeding disorder, but Jesus also reversed her ‘unclean’ status in society. Jesus reinstates her by calling her ‘daughter’ and telling her to go in peace.
When the woman realized that she could not stay hidden, she began to tremble and fell to her knees in front of him. The whole crowd heard her explain why she had touched him and that she had been immediately healed. “Daughter.” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” Luke 8: 47-48
The book of Leviticus gives us some more insight to the kind of life this woman would have lived.
If a woman has a flow of blood for many days that is unrelated to her menstrual period, ….she is ceremonially unclean… the woman will be unclean as long as the discharge continues. Any bed she lies on and any object she sits on during that time will be unclean…If any of you touch these things, you will be ceremonially unclean. Leviticus 15:25-27
This woman would not have been able to go to temple, and she would have been ostracized so others would not become unclean from being around her. I cannot imagine the joy she must have experienced to be freed from this kind of life and have no long-term illness.
What is Jesus’ invitation of healing to you? What is He offering you freedom from? Are you choosing to hide in the crowd when He calls you, or will you bravely step forward and let Him do His work?
Malachi 4:2 says: But for you who fear my name, the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in his wings. And you will go free, leaping with joy like calves let out to pasture.
What a promise we have from God’s word! Let us accept the healing God offers each one of us.
If you are able, take time to pray today using Visio Divina (praying with art).
Meditate on the picture below using these steps.
- Sit comfortably and ask the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer time.
- Gaze at the picture and notice what draws your attention.
- Why did God show you this particular part? What emotions do you feel? What is your response back to God?
- Savor this moment and be still with God, thanking Him for this time.
Daniel Cariola-Encounter Between Jesus and the Hemorrhaging Woman.
Emma Keeton
Prayer Team Member
References: Daniel Cariola, Encounter Between Jesus and the Hemorrhaging Woman. The God Who Speaks. January 25th2022. The God Who Speaks