The Touch That Changed Everything: When Little Faith Becomes Great
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Dr. Mary Edwards Walker, a remarkable woman from the 19th century. She was a pioneering surgeon, abolitionist, and women's rights advocate. During the American Civil War, despite immense prejudice, she served as a surgeon, even being captured by Confederate forces and spending time as a prisoner of war. She risked her life, faced ridicule, and endured
hardship, all in an attempt to bring healing and aid to those suffering. Her determination, even against overwhelming odds, speaks to the human spirit's desire for relief and well-being.
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| Dr. Mary Edwards Walker 25 cent piece. |
The Desperate Plea
Let's read the account from Luke:
Luke 8:43–48 (ESV):
And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood stopped. And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” And when the woman saw that she
could not be hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
A Life Transformed by a Touch
For twelve incredibly long years, this woman had suffered from a debilitating condition. According to Mosaic Law, her constant bleeding rendered her ceremonially unclean (Leviticus 15:25-30). This wasn't just a physical ailment; it meant she was cut off from her community, unable to participate in religious life, and likely living in isolation. She would have been lumped together with the outcasts of society and those who had unpleasant diseases. To make matters worse, many would look at her condition and think to themselves "She must have done something to deserve this" or "God must be punishing her for some sin she must have committed". She had spent all her money on doctors hoping for a cure, only to be let down time and time again. To compound the matter not only did she not get better but her condition was actually getting worse. Her situation was hopeless, her resources depleted, and her spirit likely crushed.
But then, she heard about Jesus.
She didn't demand an audience, didn't ask for a private consultation. In the midst of a surging crowd, she simply approached Him from behind and touched the "fringe of His garment." And immediately, she was healed.
Jesus, perceiving that power had gone out from Him, asked, "Who touched me?" The disciples, perhaps a bit exasperated by the throng, couldn't understand why He would ask such a question. But Jesus knew. He wasn't looking for a culprit; He was looking for the heart behind the touch. When the woman, trembling, confessed, Jesus affirmed her, saying, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."
I believe this passage teaches us three vital truths about our own faith, no matter its size:
1. Our Faith Must Be In Jesus Christ
This woman didn't put her faith in a magical piece of cloth. She wasn't superstitious, believing that the garment itself held some inherent power. This was not her coming up with a hair brain idea and it just happened to work. I want you to see that her faith was in fact directed entirely at Jesus.
In Malachi 4:2, which states: "But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings." In ancient Jewish culture, the "wing" or "corner" of a garment (specifically the tzitzit, the fringes worn on the corners of outer garments) was a significant symbol.
This woman, having lived in a culture steeped in Old Testament prophecy, most likely understood that the Messiah, the "Sun of Righteousness," would bring healing. The "wings" referenced in Malachi was understood by some to refer to the very fringes or corners of the Messiah's garment.
She wasn't touching a random piece of fabric; she was reaching for the one she believed to be the promised Messiah, the source of all healing. Her act was a physical expression of a deep theological conviction: she believed Jesus was the long-awaited deliverer who would bring restoration and wholeness. Her faith was not in the means (the garment) but in the source (Jesus Christ).
Our faith, too, must be firmly anchored in the person of Jesus Christ. It's not about the rituals we perform, the good deeds we do, or the church we attend. These can be expressions of our faith, but they are not the objects of it. True, life-changing faith is found in the person of Jesus—His identity as God, His atoning death on the cross, and His triumphant resurrection. As it says in Acts 4:12, "And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mankind by which we must be saved." It is in Christ and Christ alone!
2. Our Faith Needs to Be In God's Word
This woman's understanding of the Messiah's healing power, as we discussed with Malachi 4:2, likely came from the Word of God. Her belief that touching His garment would bring healing wasn't a random thought; it was likely informed by her knowledge of prophetic scriptures that spoke of the Messiah's healing "wings." It was this conviction, born from an understanding of God's promises, that propelled her to act and act quickly
I want you to understand that faith, true faith is not blind trust; it's informed trust. And the foundation for true, saving faith is the Word of God. Romans 10:17 clearly states, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ." The Bible is God's revealed truth, His promises, and His character. As we immerse ourselves in His Word, our understanding of who He is and what He has done grows, and with that understanding, our faith is strengthened. It's through the Word that we learn about Jesus, His power, His love, and His unwavering faithfulness. When we believe what God has said in His Word, our faith has a solid, immovable foundation in which we can place our trust in.
3. Our Faith Needs to Be In Total Dependency
This woman had exhausted every other option. She had spent all her money, suffered for twelve years, and found no relief. She had nowhere else to turn. This wasn't a casual inquiry; it was a desperate, last-ditch effort born out of utter dependency. Even though she may not have had a "grand" or "perfect" faith, what she had was more than enough. Her faith, small as it might have seemed to her, was a mustard seed of hope in the midst of overwhelming despair and desperation.
Jesus Himself taught about the power of even "small" faith. In Matthew 17:20, He says, "For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” God doesn't require us to have a perfect, unwavering, giant faith. He asks for real faith, however small, that is completely dependent on Him.
When we come to the end of ourselves, when we realize our own inadequacy and inability to solve our problems, interestingly enough that's often when true faith can flourish. Sometimes its when we have nothing left to turn to that we are then forced to truly turn to Him. It's in our weakness that His strength is made perfect (2 Corinthians 12:9). This woman didn't rely on her own strength, her own resources, or even her own understanding of how the healing would occur. She had already traveled those roads and they all left her with dead ends and broken dreams. She simply relied on Jesus. Her dependency, though born out of desperation, was precisely what made her receptive to His power.
Living Out This Devotional
How can we apply these truths to our daily lives?
Cultivate a Christ-Centered Gaze: Regularly shift your focus from your problems and circumstances to the person of Jesus Christ. Spend time meditating on who He is, what He has done, and His promises. When faced with challenges, ask yourself, "How does Jesus' character and work speak to this situation?"
Immerse Yourself in God's Word: Make reading and studying the Bible a consistent practice. The more you know God's Word, the more your faith will grow. Don't just read it; meditate on it, pray through it, and allow it to shape your thoughts and actions. Consider memorizing key verses that speak to God's faithfulness and power.
Embrace Total Dependency: Recognize your limitations and surrender them to God. In moments of weakness, uncertainty, or fear, intentionally choose to rely on Him alone. This might mean laying down your anxieties in prayer, trusting Him with an outcome you can't control, or seeking His wisdom before making a decision. Remember, even a mustard seed of faith, when placed in the right soil, can grow into something magnificent.
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