While visiting Israel, we visited the city of Magdala. Magdala was a major first-century port on the Sea of Galilee, a center of trade and commerce. Another famous aspect of the city came from one notable person, Mary Magdalene. It is unclear whether Mary lived in Magdala or was simply born in the town. Within the city, we visited The Encounter Chapel, on the lower level of Duc in Altum Church. I did not feel well this day so did not look forward to tromping around another site. But, on this visit, I saw something that stuck with me.
First, a little about the Chapel. The Encounter Chapel is first an archeological treasure: the floor is that of the original first century marketplace of the Magdala port. But the part that amazed me was the incredible mosaic that covers most of one wall. The art depicts the story of the bleeding woman touching the hem of Jesus’ robe found in Luke 8:43-48. When I got home, I kept thinking about the artwork, so I ordered a print and hung it where I could see it daily. I’ve included photos of the mosaic in this piece.
Your Faith Has Made You Well
Jesus uttered those words to this woman. In my life, I long to hear God speak those words over me. So what does this story teach us today about our own faith today? Let’s dig in and look for some answers.
Twelve Years before Touching His Hem
The unnamed woman in this Gospel story is a woman who suffered for 12 years from this problem. The passage also tells us she spent all she had on trying to find a cure. So, was this a last-ditch effort for healing? I can relate to this part of her story because I often exhaust all avenues for help before I take it to the Lord. And yet God patiently waits for me to come to him. There is no judgement in his eyes, only love for his hurting children. So maybe we need to take our troubles to God sooner and let him direct our path to the right solution. I want to be a child that seeks to touch his hem with all my problems.
Living in Isolation
The woman’s presence in a large crowd would be unwelcome because she was “unclean.” For twelve years, she watched people skirt around her to avoid the possibility of contact. No hugs or fist bumps allowed. She lived in isolation because of her uncleanliness. Do we allow our fears and problems to keep us isolated? And sometimes healing looks like not letting fear take a hold in your life. Maybe a touch from a friend or loved one in a moment of shame, hopelessness, or deep pain can draw us and back into the community of faith. The woman from the story found a community by touching his hem.
No Healing When We Touch His Hem
This story is not telling us God will always heal us from our situations. Instead, it shows us what it looks like to if we touch his hem in times of pain and heartache, isolation, and loneliness. If we reach out in faith, we receive the gift of truth: he shows us we are beloved and known intimately by our creator. And once we understand this truth, we can become the hands and feet of Christ to reach others. We can show others how touching his hem can change our lives.
Practice
Spend time today thinking about a situation when you felt like you were at the end of your rope. Did you reach out to touch his hem or did you pull away to find answers yourself? Ask Jesus to show you where he was during that time in your life? You can still teach out and touch the robe of Jesus today. Let Christ find you wherever you are and meet you in that place.
Prayer
Dearest Heavenly Father. I want to have faith big enough to reach out to touch your hem. Increase my faith, so I turn to you first in everything. Please meet me with my problems this day and let me feel your loving touch. Heal me of all my health issues. Thank you for your promises and love, even when I fall down in my faith. Amen.
The account of the woman with the issue of blood is one of my favorites. We can learn so much from her act of faith. Thanks for sharing the beautiful mosaic. I would have wanted a copy to bring home as well. What a beautiful pictorial to remind you every day of Jesus’s healing power. It was great to visit with you at Blue Ridge. Blessings, Yvonne!
Thank you Barbara. It was wonderful to see you too. The older I get the more I love this Bible story. She has so much faith and seeing the mosaic just made it so much more beautiful of a story. God bless.
Wonderful lesson here Ms. Yvonne. Something I’ve learned, albeit painfully, is that every time I turn inward to try and resolve something for myself, I run into God. His hands are open, but He won’t reach out to receive until I reach out to offer it to Him in sincere prayer and faith. Great lesson ma’am.
Oh so very true JD. It takes our act of faith to show what we truly want. Way to often, God is not my first solution but we are all works in progress. Thank you and God bless
You are so right… faith in prayer never guarantees God will work a miracle and answer our prayer, but as you say, “If we reach out in faith, we receive the gift of truth: he shows us we are beloved and known intimately by our creator.” God knows us intimately. He walks with us.
He does walk with us, in every situation and that comforts me when the answer to my prayer is “no” or “not yet”. His ways are always the best way. Thank you Jessica. God bless
This story is one of my favorites. I’ve always admired this woman’s faithfulness–oh, to have that kind pf faith–to believe we only need to be in the presence of Jesus and touch His garment. And now, because of the gift of the Holy Spirit, we can always be in His presence. Thank you for sharing this message of faith and hope.
Thank you Katherine. It is such an amazing story full of hope. We can touch the Master daily in prayer and He is always with us. I pray for all of us to have that kind of faith. God bless.
I love this post and your takeaway. The photo you share of the hand touching the hem among the feet of those standing speaks volumes. It’s lovely and meaningful. Is that what your print depicts?
Thanks Candyce. Yes, my print is a copy of the mosaic. I hung it where I can see it every day. It reminds that God is always there for me. God bless.
Honestly, Yvonne, I’ve tried both approaches to my problems. Relying on myself never ends well. Thanks for an insightful post.
Thanks so much Annie. It is so easy to slip into the self mode. Everything in our society teaches us to be independent. It is a constant struggle to put God first in all we do. But boy is it worth it. God bless.
Whenever I read this story in Scripture or hear the words, I am reminded of the depth of love Jesus has for everyone. Nicole C. Mullen has a beautiful song about the woman touching the hem of his garment.
I love her song too. His love for us is truly amazing. Thank you Melissa and God bless
Yvonne, I love that story. I can only imagine how she felt when she left that day and Jesus receiving more than she could have imagined.
I picture her dancing for joy. What an amazing story. Thank you Debbie and God bless
Yvonne, this is beautiful and love the photo of the mosaic. I pray to practice touching the hem of Jesus’ robe in my own life instead of taking matters into my own hands.
Amen Karen. It is the best place to be, at the feet of Jesus every day. Thank you and God bless.
I too was at Magadala site in Israel. Right there, I opened my Bible and revisited Mark 5:25-34.
It is a beautiful place.