30 Days Watching Jesus. Another pariah.

Nathan: 00:00

Matthew 9:20–22 (NKJV): Suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21 For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

Matthew, Jesus. Matthew 9:20–22

Hey, I’m Nathan, and this is Day 9 of 30 Days Watching Jesus. The stories just keep coming. Fisherman, called to ministry by him. Multitudes healed and given hope.

Lepers touched, made whole. Roman officials, respected, loved. Demon-oppressed, freed. Desperately ill, healed. Outcasts, embraced. This is the legacy he leaves behind him. At every turn. And now, a woman. Desperately sick. 12 years of suffering. Draining her life. Pushing her to the margins of society. She is another pariah. Another loser. No medical miracle. No words of hope. All this has reduced her to a near-hopeless shell-of-a-woman. She doesn’t even have the courage to approach Jesus—only enough hopeful-desperation, to sneak in and touch his robe.

Evaporating back into the crowd. Whole. Hidden. This Jesus, though, will have

NONE of it. Not only does he eagerly heal her—but he calls her out, lifts her head, and gives her back the dignity her illness has slowly drained away. She is a person of value. She need not hang her head or slink around in shame. She is full of worth, dignity. That day—for the first time in years—she lifts her head, the shame, slipping off her shoulders. Her personhood surging back into her deflated soul. This is Jesus at work. On both body AND heart.