Who Touched Me?

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. The Woman’s Incurable Health

2. The Woman’s Insistent Hope

3. The Woman’s Incredible Healing

Introductory Remarks.

1. Today's lesson will discuss the theme, “Who touched me?” Our Lord asked this question because “virtue” went out of Him because of that touch. He wanted to know who touched Him. Power left the person of Jesus—and it was noticeable to Him.

2. First, we will consider “The woman’s incurable health” issue. She had an issue of blood for twelve years. She had spent all that she had but was unable to be cured. The physicians and doctors had given up on her. She, however, had not given up on pursuing a cure for her ailment. All hope was not lost. She learned that Jesus was nearby and went unto Him with one desire: “I must touch the hem of his garment.” Believing if she did so, “she could be made whole.” This would be her touch of faith to remove her social disgrace!

3. Second, we will discuss “The woman’s insistent hope.” And that was, “If I could touch his garment, I will be made whole.” She had faith that touching the garment of Jesus would provide the healing she needed. She worked her way through the crowd to touch the hem of His garment. Her touch of faith prompted the question of Jesus: “Who touched me?” The disciples immediately replied, “Lord, all these people around you, reaching and desiring your healing, and you ask, who touched you?” It could have been any of these in this crowd. But he replied, “I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.” This touch has “released virtue” from me. In other words, "power has been released from me!"

4. Lastly, we will investigate “The Woman’s Incredible Healing.” As a result of her faith, she was made whole of her illness. Jesus did not say to her: “Thy faith hath healed thee, but thy faith hath made thee whole.” When the Lord heals us from sin, he makes our entire person whole. Her issue of blood ceased; her fear and isolation from the community had ended; she was made whole in “body, soul, and spirit.” She could now join the community of Israel and appear in the temple of God. That’s what the Lord desires for us – when we come to Him “to be made whole.”

BODY OF LESSON

I THE WOMAN’S INCURABLE HEALTH

A. In this lesson, this woman had an incurable health issue. Luke writes: “And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,” Luke 8:43.

B. Had this issue of blood for twelve years. Let’s notice how the other gospels speak regarding this woman’s health issue. Notice:

1. Matthew. “And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years,” Matthew 9:20.

2. Mark. “And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,” Mark 5:25.

3. This woman was bleeding for 12 years. It had a tremendous physical and mental impact on her. She was weak and dying.

4. She was in a desperate condition. Her bleeding made her ceremonially and socially unclean, and this was no doubt a burden to live under for 12 years.

a. According to the Jewish law, if this woman touched anyone, she imparted her uncleanness to them, an uncleanness that would not allow them to take part in any aspect of Israel's everyday life and worship.

b. Luke, the physician, also tells us that she had spent all her livelihood on physicians. Yet, they had no success in helping her with this illness.

c. Many spend a lifetime of suffering and illness, having no relief and no friends or family to aid them. This is a time of loneliness and hardship for them and their family.

C. The law required. Notice: “And if a woman has an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it runs beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean,” Leviticus 15:25. She is to be separated from:

1. Family and friends. Notice: “And if a woman has an issue, and her issue in her flesh is blood, she shall be put apart seven days: and whosoever toucheth her shall be unclean until the even. And everything that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: everything she sitteth upon shall be unclean. And whoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes, bathe in water, and be unclean until the even. And whosoever toucheth anything that she sat upon shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. And if it be on her bed, or on anything whereon she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he shall be unclean until the even,” Leviticus 15:19-23.