Contemplative Bible Reading

Luke 8:43-36 (New Living Translation)

43 A woman in the crowd had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding, and she could find no cure. 44 Coming up behind Jesus, she touched the fringe of his robe. Immediately, the bleeding stopped.

45 “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, this whole crowd is pressing up against you.”

46 But Jesus said, “Someone deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.”

This is part of the (hi)story of Jesus healing the woman who had “constant bleeding.” When Peter told Jesus that everyone was touching Him because it was a big crowd, Jesus replied, “Someone deliberately touched me.”

There is a difference between bumping into people in a crowd and tapping someone on the shoulder to gain their attention. This woman was embarrassed when she gained the attention of Jesus, but that it what she wanted. Well, she sort of wanted the attention of Jesus. What she wanted was to be well, and Jesus seemed to carry wellness with Him.

Let’s repeat, there is a difference between bumping into people in a crowd and tapping someone on the shoulder to gain their attention. The woman deliberately touched Jesus. She saw Jesus in a crowd and didn’t just wander with the crowd. She went to Jesus. She recognized something in Jesus that she wanted and needed. Something inside her said, “Do this. Go to Jesus.”

Sometimes we bump into God without thought and are blessed. Sometimes we bump into people who have been blessed by and carry the blessings of God. Sometimes we deliberately seek God and touch God. Blessings come from each type of encounter.

Daily, let us deliberately touch Jesus.