The other night I briefly mentioned the woman who touched Jesus’ cloak and was healed (Luke 8). I have been thinking about that ever since.

I have always liked that woman. She had so much courage and so much faith. Not only was she societally unclean, but she would have been looked down upon simply as a woman in Biblical times. I also love Jesus’ reaction because it shows how unconventional, yet wonderful, Jesus really is.

Because she was bleeding, she was never allowed into normal society – always kept away from people and interaction. She was “unclean.” But she took a risk. She believed that Jesus could heal her. So she risked being brutally rejected, by not only the people surrounding Jesus who knew of her disease, but by Jesus himself. Yet she believed that if she simply touched Him, she would be clean. What radical faith.

The fact that she was a bold woman could have gotten her banished quickly as well. Jesus could have chosen to not even speak to her because she was of a lower “class” as a woman.

But Jesus did neither of these things. He called her out, yes. But He did not call her out to expose her or to humiliate her and “put her in her place.” He called her out to make an example of her faith, which had made her well. Not only that, but He owned her by calling her “daughter.” “Daughter, your faith has made you well.”

This is why we cannot lose faith. How many times in the Bible did Jesus say, “Your faith has healed you”? I’m not a theologian, but I’m pretty sure it’s many, many times. We wait in anticipation. We wait for Jesus to pass so we can run and push through the crowds. We cry, “Just let me touch Him! Move – I just need to touch His cloak, and my disease will be healed!!” We wait for Jesus to say, “I know that power has gone out from me.” And we sit at His feet in thankfulness as He acknowledges, “My daughter, take heart. Your faith has made you well.”

Faith. “Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)

“And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.” Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!” When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; and they implored Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured.” Matthew 14:25-36

We wait in faith for Jesus to say, “Stand up and go; your faith has made you well.” Luke 17:19