Do You Need A Touch Of His Robe?

While trying to stay inconspicuous within the crowded village a woman with only a glimmer of hope tried to squeeze in to see Jesus. She had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding.  Trying various cures only increased her misery. She was exhausted, out of resources, rejected and in deep agony of body, mind and spirit. Ceremonial uncleaness meant no one could touch her and everything she touched was unclean too. (Lev. 15:19-30) Even entering the village was risky with so many people around as she would be punished if found out.

The glimmer of hope came when she heard about a Great Teacher named Jesus who was doing amazing miracles. He was in town not too far away.  She thought that maybe if she could get close enough to just touch His robe she would be healed.

Mark 5:25–34 (MSG)
She was thinking to herself, “If I can put a finger on his robe, I can get well.” The moment she did it, the flow of blood dried up. She could feel the change and knew her plague was over and done with.  At the same moment, Jesus felt energy discharging from him. He turned around to the crowd and asked, “Who touched my robe?” His disciples said, “What are you talking about? With this crowd pushing and jostling you, you’re asking, ‘Who touched me?’ Dozens have touched you!”  But he went on asking, looking around to see who had done it.  The woman, knowing what had happened, knowing she was the one, stepped up in fear and trembling, knelt before him, and gave him the whole story.  Jesus said to her, “Daughter, you took a risk of faith, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed! Be healed of your plague.”

 

Magdala, Israel is on the shores of the Sea of Galilee.  “Magdala” means “fish tower” and at one time the village was well known for exporting its dried, salted fish all the way to Rome.  It is also considered the home of Mary the Magdalene, the devout follower of Jesus. After being delievered from seven demons, she followed Him to the foot of the cross and was the first to see Him post resurecction.

The church, “Duc in Altum” in Magdala contains beautiful mosaics portraying the miracles of Jesus in the first room and a fisherman’s boat is at the altar.  But the lower level contains a mural called, “Encounter” created by Daniel Cariola. It immediately takes you to the actual street level of 1st century AD, and you can relate to and feel the need of healing. This tiny picture cannot capture the feelings I had when standing before the floor to ceiling mural in the smaller chapel area.

Maybe you are feeling exhausted from your load of care.  Are your finances stretched by circumstances beyond your control?  Do you suffer from a chronic illness that makes you weak and vulnerable?  There is an endless list of troubles in our world but Jesus is the answer to all.

This story is retold in three of the gospels but we are not given her name. Jesus called her out of the shadows and used a term of endearment, Daughter.  She stepped out in faith and received wholeness, peace and freedom from her suffering.  In our modern century, it is hard to understand what that wholeness meant for her life.  She was seen and loved as a child of God.  We too can receive His love, peace and strength if we would only reach out in faith to touch the hem of His robe.