For twelve years she lived her life touching the fringe of society, unseen, untouchable, and out of options.
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. Luke 8:43 ESV
As she made her way through the throng of people, one all-consuming thought drove her forward: “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”
She spent twelve years seeking help and was actively bleeding as she encountered the multitude surrounding Jesus.
She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. Luke 8:44 ESV
Touching the Fringe
When she got behind Him, she hinged her body, knees slightly bent, with her hand extended, reaching toward her goal. Her need for healing reached out for divine intervention. Her faith-driven movement met His power-filled hem. Simultaneously, as she senses her bleeding stopping, He perceives power leaving Him.
One solitary touch accomplished what twelve years, all her money, and countless doctors could not. She knows that she is healed. He knows He healed her. He asks, “Who touched Me?” already knowing the answer. The disciples point out that everyone is pressing against Him. The touches from the crowd are merely a result of proximity. Realizing she’s been discovered, she falls at His feet and tells her story. With love, grace, and restoration, He lets her know that her faith has made her well.
Although slightly different, three of the gospel authors tell her story, underscoring its importance.
Our movements and thoughts in His presence are healing and transformative.
Two of the movements she makes are fundamental functions of our bodies. Bending down to touch His hem was hinging and falling at His feet was an act of prostration. And her one pervasive thought resulted in her breakthrough. How do our thoughts impact our fundamental functions? She was suffering but still able to bend low. After her healing, she was strong enough to prostrate herself at His feet. Can we bend in search of a healing touch? Can we prostrate ourselves to surrender and confess to Him?
Let’s take a look at the Functional Movement Patterns involved in her story:
For her to bend down and touch His hem it requires a hinge. A hinge, hips back, spine long, knees soft, the posture of someone reaching for something just out of grasp.
For her to fall at His feet is an act of prostration. This is the pattern of moving from standing, to hinging, to kneeling, to lying flat on the floor.
Action: Think of her, bent over in pain believing in His healing touch, or her healed, lying at His feet confessing her story. Bow low before Him as you petition Him for healing, whether financial, spiritual, physical, or emotional. Try lying prostrate and tell your story to Him, pouring out your heart, soul, strength, and mind to Him in gratitude.
*For those of you who prayer walk, ponder how it may have felt to touch the fringe of His garment. For your copy of this week’s screensaver, click here. And to access all of my YouVersion Bible App devotional plans, click here.