As Jesus went with him, he was surrounded by the crowds. A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped.
“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
Luke 8:42-45 NLT
The woman in the above story had suffered for 12 long years. It was personal, private, and no doubt distracting daily. Her quality of life certainly did not match that of other women around her. Obviously, she was looking for help because we are told, “she could find no cure.”
There are times in our lives when problems arise with no good or workable answers. Frustration grows, discouragement deepens, and we feel as though we are very much alone. This lady didn’t want a public conversation or even a private one but in desperation she thought if she could just barely touch the hem of Jesus garment it might help her situation.
The scripture says, “Immediately, the bleeding stopped.”
We all have prayed prayers that didn’t get answered the way we hoped they would. Does that mean Jesus doesn’t care? Does it mean that He isn’t paying attention or listening? Absolutely not. I take great comfort from this text when Jesus asks the question, “Who touched me?” With a jostling crowd of people around him many were no doubt touching him, but he recognized this woman’s simple faith and need.
He knows exactly where you and I are. He knows everything that is happening and every detail of our lives. You may not receive the answer you desire but he knows that you are reaching out to him. He cares deeply about the path your life has taken. As the Good Shepherd of Psalm 23, he sometimes leads us to green pastures, other times he may lead us though a dark valley, but he is always leading. Don’t give up! Don’t lose your faith! Just keep following. Reach out and keep touching him with your prayers, praise, and continual pursuit.