Can you imagine being twelve years old?  So much life lies ahead of you but at the age of twelve, you don’t think about the future as much as you think about the waking hours of the current day.  Life is thinking about other twelve year olds who do life with you. Who will I see and what will we do together is the uppermost goal.

When we arrive at the ripe old age of twelve, some of us think we know it all.  We merely tolerate our parents at this point in life and wonder sometimes about their advice and direction for us.  We begin to question their rules while trying to be as independent as we possible while still living under their roof of protection, provision, support, and control. 

Being twelve is a mixed bag of emotions as we transition from kid to adult.  But what if something happens to us unexpectedly that is completely out the our control or out of the realm of the expected plan of our parents?  What if a sickness suddenly takes you down, isolates you from all your friends, stops daily routines, and causes you to lose all sense of knowing and becoming who you thought you would be? But, above all that, what if you died and Someone came and brought you back to life by simply gripping your hand while praying with the words of direction to you that you heard in your soul— “My dear child, get up”—and you did?  With just His touch, Jesus changes everything.

Now, consider this…what would it be like to suffer for twelve years as an adult woman with bleeding that would not cease.  (We women really relate to this one!)  For twelve years, constantly dealing with a problem deemed unclean to the cultural laws and traditions.  You are alone and fearful.  You stay in the shadows, away from people, until you hear of Someone who heals all kinds of diseases and ailments.  But He is so needed and wanted, that it is hard to get close to Him.

Suddenly you see Him.  He is getting closer.  You risk it all, and lunged forward out of the shadows.  You think if you can just touch the hem of His robe without anyone knowing, you will be healed.  You do it, you feel His robe!  Imagine it!  Then suddenly after twelve long years of weakness due to the hemorrhaging of your life-giving blood, you feel His touch that ends your suffering.  Imagine Jesus stopping on His mission through the crowd to heal a twelve year old, to bend down to you with affirmation of your faith while healing your twelve year old suffering!  Jesus gave new life to her.  Jesus changes everything. 

Luke 8, The Message

His Touch

^40-42 On his return, Jesus was welcomed by a crowd. They were all there expecting him. A man came up, Jairus by name. He was president of the meeting place. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged him to come to his home because his twelve-year-old daughter, his only child, was dying. Jesus went with him, making his way through the pushing, jostling crowd.

^43-45 In the crowd that day there was a woman who for twelve years had been afflicted with hemorrhages. She had spent every penny she had on doctors but not one had been able to help her. She slipped in from behind and touched the edge of Jesus’ robe. At that very moment her hemorrhaging stopped. Jesus said, “Who touched me?”

When no one stepped forward, Peter said, “But Master, we’ve got crowds of people on our hands. Dozens have touched you.”

⁴⁶ Jesus insisted, “Someone touched me. I felt power discharging from me.”

⁴⁷ When the woman realized that she couldn’t remain hidden, she knelt trembling before him. In front of all the people, she blurted out her story—why she touched him and how at that same moment she was healed.

⁴⁸ Jesus said, “Daughter, you took a risk trusting me, and now you’re healed and whole. Live well, live blessed!”

⁴⁹ While he was still talking, someone from the leader’s house came up and told him, “Your daughter died. No need now to bother the Teacher.”

^50-51 Jesus overheard and said, “Don’t be upset. Just trust me and everything will be all right.” Going into the house, he wouldn’t let anyone enter with him except Peter, John, James, and the child’s parents.

^52-53 Everyone was crying and carrying on over her. Jesus said, “Don’t cry. She didn’t die; she’s sleeping.” They laughed at him. They knew she was dead.

^54-56 Then Jesus, gripping her hand, called, “My dear child, get up.” She was up in an instant, up and breathing again! He told them to give her something to eat. Her parents were ecstatic, but Jesus warned them to keep quiet. “Don’t tell a soul what happened in this room.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Jesus.  Jesus changes everything for us, too.  Jesus, who shed his life-giving blood as a sacrifice for our sins, brings new life to all who seek His redeeming salvation and wholeness.  As we reach out, He grips our hand with a call to rise up with Him with new life!  Yes, Jesus calls us to a forever life with Him!

The touch of Jesus on our lives brings healing from all the effects that our sins and the sins of others had upon us.  Jesus removes our shame and replaces shame with victorious joy that is indescribable and full of glory!  Jesus heals broken hearts, brings peace to troubled minds, while defeating the enemy who seeks to devour our souls.

Yes, Jesus changes everything—no matter what age we are or how long we have suffered in silence.  Jesus is the Way to Truth with Eternal Life.  Believe and be saved.

Lord,

The story of healing and being made whole to two very different young women brings tears to my eyes every time I read and meditate on it.  You give life.  You are Life.  You provide all we need when we need it most.  You applaud and affirm our faith.  You love us beyond our wildest imaginations.  Thank you for your love, mercy, and grace.  Help us to love like you love.  May our lives be lived to bring you glory!  Thank you for changing my life!

In Jesus Name, Amen