Healing Faith

By Joannie Anderson

“Now when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. Then a man named Jairus . . . fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. ‘Who touched me?’ Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, ‘Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.’ But Jesus said, ‘Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.’ Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.’”—Luke 8:40-48 (NIV) 

You’ve probably heard the old saying, “Desperate times call for desperate measures.”  What extent are you willing to go to when you’re desperate? Are you currently facing a desperate situation, relationship, financial collapse, or what seems to be an impossible situation?

In today’s Scripture, we see two desperate situations. One is a man named Jarius who found his way to Jesus to express his desperate situation. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his home because his 12-year-old daughter was dying.  

While in route, Jesus encountered the second desperate person—a woman. Her name is not recorded, but the description of her need is. She had been struggling with bleeding for 12 years. She must have been a woman of means prior to this illness because she had spent all the money she had on physicians and still had not been healed. 

This woman was caught up in the crowd following Jesus to Jarius’ house. She knew her healing would be found in Jesus. For reasons not recorded but for a faith that was, she reached for the hem of Jesus’ garment. This woman had the faith to reach to the lowest and probably the dirtiest position of Jesus’ garments. Because of her faith, she believed just a touch would provide the healing (the miracle) she so desperately needed.   

It’s been suggested the woman’s name wasn’t recorded so we could better identify with her. The crowds didn’t see her as they were pressed in tightly. Jesus recognized He had provided healing to a desperate follower. He stopped and asked the crowd who had touched His garments. And in Luke 8:48 (NIV), He said, “Daughter, your faith has healed you.”

Whatever our desperate needs are, we can fall at Jesus’ feet as Jarius did or reach out for Him like this woman. This week, share with your spouse, a trusted friend, or someone in your church family what your desperate need is and ask for their prayers and support as you take desperate measures to reach out to Jesus. He will reward your desperate acts of faith.

Pause: What are you desperately seeking from the Lord? Do you need a healing from a broken relationship, a deep trauma you’ve experienced, or a fear you’re gripped by? Reflect and consider what you’re seeking Jesus for right now?

Practice: Re-read the stories of Jarius and the woman in Luke 8. Seek to understand their state of mind and their actions and how you can apply that same urgency and desperation before Jesus.

Pray: Father, my situation seems desperate. Only You can provide the answer and the healing my situation needs. Will You give me the faith to trust You for Your answer? Help my faith to trust in You alone. Thank You for seeing me, knowing me, and hearing my desperate prayer. Amen.