Luke 8:44-48 - Who touched me?

8:44

She came up behind Jesus, possibly too embarrassed about her condition to see him face to face, and touched His cloak. She was healed at once. Why did such a tentative approach to Jesus have such a dramatic effect? Because she had faith. This incident is a reminder that we cannot judge the faith of someone by outward actions alone. As James says, faith without actions is dead, so faith will produce an outward effect. However, I am sure we all know people who for a time have been very effusive in their “faith”, but then have fallen away. Conversely, there are people who do not make a show of things, and in some ways may seem to very timid, or to have many problems. Yet despite all the obstacles in their lives, they still approach Jesus. We should expect to see faith rewarded.

8:45,46

Jesus knew that something had happened, power had flowed from Him. Now this is interesting. When the woman touched Jesus’ cloak there was no personal interaction between them, yet the power of God still flowed into her to bring healing.

Peter thought Jesus’ question somewhat ridiculous as there were so many people around Him, but Jesus is interested in individuals as well as crowds. God is God of the whole universe, but He also knows each person in that universe.

8:47,48

The woman had hoped not to be noticed, but this was so unavoidable as Jesus was on the look out for her. So she came nervously to Jesus, falling at His feet. She told Him what had happened.

Jesus told her that her faith had healed her and that she should go in peace. Jesus addressed her as “daughter”, emphasising the fact that she was accepted after years of feeling rejected. So there was physical and emotional healing, the two often go together.