Jesus Loves All of You!

“And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone, came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. And Jesus said, "Who is the one who touched Me?" And while they were all denying it, Peter said, ‘Master, the people are crowding and pressing in on You.’ But Jesus said, ‘Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that power had gone out of Me.’ When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason 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.’” Luke 8:43-48

Jesus is very holistic in His approach to mankind. A good example of this is found in Luke 8, when He heals a woman who was hemorrhaged for twelve years. It’s hard to imagine how she maintained her hope for healing, especially with the stigma that accompanied her illness. Unclean according to Jewish law, she probably was forced to live outside the city gates - away from family and friends.

Her need for love and acceptance was overshadowed by the cruelty of Jewish tradition. Anyone who touched her was in turn considered unclean. The portrait Christ gives us is one of abundant mercy and grace. Not only did He heal her physical disease, He healed her spiritually and emotionally as well. In no way was He repulsed by her sickness.

No matter how complex and disillusioning life may appear, Jesus refuses to turn His back on you. The woman in the above text believed if she could stretch out her hand far enough to touch the hem of His outer garment, she would be healed. What faith she had! In His compassion, Christ turned to her and said: “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.” Jesus met her deepest need, and He will do the same for you.

God isn’t just interested in our salvation - He is interested in our wholeness.