"If I touch his clothes, I will recover." (Matthew 9, 21)
This was said by a poor woman who had suffered twelve years from an illness that made her whole life a total disgrace. He spent all his money on doctors and medicines; In the end, she was declared incurable, but when she heard about the Great Healer, her hope came true, she thought that if she could get close enough and talk to Him, she could be healed.
They advanced very slowly, as the crowd crowded Christ on all sides. Paving the way for himself in the crowd, the Savior approached the place where the sick woman was. She had tried many times in vain to approach Him. Now is the time. She saw no opportunity to speak to Him, did not dare to prevent Him from advancing slowly. But she heard that healing can be obtained by touching Her dress; Fearing that she would lose the only chance of being healed, she hastened and said in her soul: "If I touch her clothes, I will recover."
Christ knew all her thoughts and went to the place where she was standing. He knew her great need and helped her exercise faith.
When he passed, she held out her hand. She barely managed to touch the edge of her garment, but at that moment she knew she was cured. In that touch, her faith grew, and the pain and weakness instantly disappeared. Suddenly she felt such a tremor, as if an electric current had passed through her entire being. And after that she was overcome by a feeling of perfect health. "He felt in his body that he had healed from the disease."
The grateful woman wanted to express her gratitude to the Great Healer, who, with a touch, did more for her than the doctors for twelve long years; but she did not dare. Grateful, she wanted to leave the crowd. Suddenly, Jesus stopped, looked around, and asked, "Who touched me?" (Luke 8, 45)
“But Jesus said: someone touched me; because I felt the power that came from me, "v. 46. He could distinguish the touch of faith from the usual indifferent touch of the crowd. Someone touched it with a certain purpose and received a response.
Christ did not ask this question just for additional information. No, he had a lesson for the people, for the disciples, and for the woman. He wanted to bring hope to the sick. He wanted to show that the healing power was shed through faith.
The woman's faith could not be ignored. Through his confession and thanksgiving, God must be glorified. Christ wanted her to understand that He approves of her act done in faith. He did not want her to leave, since he had only received half the blessing. She should not have ignored what he knew of her suffering; She should have known that he was full of compassion and love, and had approved of her faith in his power, that he could always save those who came to him.
Looking towards the woman, Christ showed that he knew who was touching him. Seeing that he could not hide, he approached and, trembling, stood up. With tears of gratitude, she told him in the presence of the entire crowd, why she touched her clothes and how she was immediately healed. He was afraid that, by touching his clothes, he would act arrogantly; but not a word of reproach fell from the mouth of Christ. He only spoke words of encouragement that came from a loving heart, full of sympathy for the suffering of people.
He said kindly: "Dare, daughter! your faith has saved you; go in peace ", v. 48. How pleasant were these words for her! Now her joy was not overshadowed by the fear of having offended anyone.