Notes from Saturday's Holy Yoga class..
Luke 8:42-48
"As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 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 ceased. 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 was not 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."
This unnamed woman...
Was penniless.
She had spent every last dime on doctors that couldn't help her.
She was unclean to those around her because it was their custom that if they touched her while she was on her flow, they too would be unclean...but for this woman...her time of being unclean lasted 12 harsh years!
So she was probably alone and hurt.
Shunned by her community because of their customs and even fellow believers because no one wanted to sacrifice their own purity to come in contact with her.
She was burdened by shame and desperate.
Too ashamed to ask for healing because she dared not utter a word about her shameful need or too afraid to ask for a touch of his hand because she felt unworthy, unclean. She was desperate and full of faith that if she could just touch the HEM, the very fringes of his garment, she would be healed.
So reached out...
At her touch, Jesus asked...who touched me? In the midst of this large crowd with many reaching out to him, it was this one woman's faith that drew Jesus' attention. As soon as she touched him, she was healed, but her shame held close to her like a thick cloak. The shame she had carried all those years was still weighing her down. Jesus wasn't content to let her be physically healed and still burdened by shame. He wanted ALL of her to be healed. So when she realized she couldn't hide in her shame any longer, in another act of desperation to rid herself of this burden, she fell at his feet.
"As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 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 ceased. 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 was not 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."
This unnamed woman...
Was penniless.
She had spent every last dime on doctors that couldn't help her.
She was unclean to those around her because it was their custom that if they touched her while she was on her flow, they too would be unclean...but for this woman...her time of being unclean lasted 12 harsh years!
So she was probably alone and hurt.
Shunned by her community because of their customs and even fellow believers because no one wanted to sacrifice their own purity to come in contact with her.
She was burdened by shame and desperate.
Too ashamed to ask for healing because she dared not utter a word about her shameful need or too afraid to ask for a touch of his hand because she felt unworthy, unclean. She was desperate and full of faith that if she could just touch the HEM, the very fringes of his garment, she would be healed.
So reached out...
At her touch, Jesus asked...who touched me? In the midst of this large crowd with many reaching out to him, it was this one woman's faith that drew Jesus' attention. As soon as she touched him, she was healed, but her shame held close to her like a thick cloak. The shame she had carried all those years was still weighing her down. Jesus wasn't content to let her be physically healed and still burdened by shame. He wanted ALL of her to be healed. So when she realized she couldn't hide in her shame any longer, in another act of desperation to rid herself of this burden, she fell at his feet.
She threw all that she was, shame and filth at his feet and laid it there. Jesus, seeing her faith and desperation, had compassion on her and lifted her up, blessing her and sent her on her way.
He had lifted that cloak and brought her into light. She was healed. Completely healed.
It was her faith that healed her by the power of God, but it was Jesus' grace that was extended to her to lift her out of her shame.
So what shame holds you back from healing and from the blessings that Jesus has for you? Where do you need to reach out for the fringes of His garment?
Where do you need to be desperate for Him to take control?
This story isn't just about physical healing. It's about so much more. It's about the realization that we can do nothing without Him. And even the fringes of His garment have more power flowing through them than anything within our power. We need Him. Desperately…..But will you reach out?
He had lifted that cloak and brought her into light. She was healed. Completely healed.
It was her faith that healed her by the power of God, but it was Jesus' grace that was extended to her to lift her out of her shame.
So what shame holds you back from healing and from the blessings that Jesus has for you? Where do you need to reach out for the fringes of His garment?
Where do you need to be desperate for Him to take control?
This story isn't just about physical healing. It's about so much more. It's about the realization that we can do nothing without Him. And even the fringes of His garment have more power flowing through them than anything within our power. We need Him. Desperately…..But will you reach out?
Playlist:
Healer- Kari Jobe
Beautiful Things-Gungor
Gravity- Shawn McDonald
Blessed be your name- Matt Redman
Did you feel the mountains tremble- Delirious
I am free- New Life Worship
Open Skies- David Crowder Band
Mighty to Save- Hillsongs
I have to believe- Rita Springer
I will wait for you there- Phil Wickham
Take my hand- Shawn McDonald
Right by my side- Jason Upton
Nothing but the blood- Hillsongs
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