Reaching Out in Faith

Consider the following scenario. A woman had suffered for years. Each day, she woke with the weight of her ailment on her. Those around her found it difficult to understand the severity of her affliction. They couldn’t grasp it—not fully. She had learned to conceal the worst of her affliction, but she knew the truth: she was not well.

Then, one day, word spread of a traveling physician unlike any other. He was world-renowned, a master in his field. The stories of his skill were known far and wide. Some claimed he had healed the incurable—that his abilities surpassed all others.

As the physician was moving through the streets the afflicted woman walked, a rare opportunity presented itself. Here was someone who could help her! The woman thought, “If only I could see him, I’d convince him of my worthiness to be examined. Perhaps he would have mercy on me and help me overcome this burdensome trial that has plagued me for years. I’m righteous. I’m just. I deserve to be whole.”

Perhaps, this physician could succeed where so many others had failed.

She was confident that, when he heard her story, he’d consider her case.

The power of God is still present, still working miracles and still healing the hurt and brokenhearted. The woman had seen other physicians, and though they promised relief, she remained afflicted. If anything, she had grown worse. Her resources were expended—every coin spent, every favor called in, all of it had gone toward seeking a cure. And yet, she was no closer to finding the healing she sought.

Still, she resolved to try once more. She planned her words carefully, rehearsing them in her mind. She would plead if necessary. She would explain the depth of her suffering, the years of pain, and her resounding righteousness. Surely, this great physician would sympathize with her. Surely, he would not turn her away. Surely, he’d find her worthy of his time and effort.

The real story

The woman is real. Her ailment is also factual. And in today’s society, it wouldn’t be far-fetched for her to plead her case to be seen by such a skillful physician.

But, the fact is, the approach mentioned above wasn’t the approach of the woman at all. She didn’t think herself worthy. She didn’t rehearse her words to convince the physician to receive her. And she didn’t assume she was more needy than anyone else.

Yet, the true story is far more amazing than fiction.

True faith revealed

True, the woman had already spent everything she had on physicians who could do nothing for her. She had endured their treatments and obeyed their instructions, and yet her condition remained. She had nothing left to offer. Perhaps all hope had slipped away, leaving her with nothing but misery.

However, she had heard of another Healer—not a physician in the traditional sense, but a Man known for miracles. Some called Him a teacher; others, a prophet. Many believed He was more than that. He had restored sight to the blind, healed the sick and raised the dead.

His name was Jesus.

He had the power to heal, and He did so freely.

Unlike regular physicians, Jesus didn’t require an appointment. He did not examine the worthy while ignoring the desperate. He didn’t expect exorbitant monetary payment for His services. He walked among the people, healing those whom society had cast aside. And so, she went to Him—not to plead her case, not to justify her worthiness, but simply to reach out in faith.

The woman went to the streets, where she found Jesus in the crowd surrounded by followers and skeptics alike. She had no plan to speak to Him. Her humility likely kept her from even considering speaking to Jesus. She simply thought, “If I touch even his garments, I will be made well” (Mark 5:28, English Standard Version).

She had faith—genuine belief that all she needed to do was draw close to the Son of God and her life would change forever.

So, she reached out to her Savior.

Her hand brushed His garment, and in that instant, the weight that had burdened her lifted. Her affliction was gone. The woman who had suffered for years became whole through the mighty power of God’s Holy Spirit.

And in that moment, Jesus stopped, turned and asked, “Who touched My clothes?” (verse 30).

Not with pride, not with a sense of worthiness, but with trembling and fear—reverence—the woman stepped forward and fell at Jesus’ feet, where she told her Savior the truth of how she had suffered, how she had spent all she had, and how she had been without hope. But she had faith that a mere touch of His garment would heal her.

And it had!

Jesus looked at her—not with condemnation, not with irritation, but with love. “Daughter,” He said, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction” (verse 34).

The cure had not come from a physician. It had not come through wealth, status or careful persuasion. Nor did the healing power reside in the hem of Jesus’ garment, but in the Son of God Himself.

The power of healing Jesus displayed did not require His physical presence, nor did it require His physical touch. The lesson Jesus was teaching was about faith, about the yearning to draw near to Him.

The woman believed Jesus. She had known deep within her being that if only she could draw closer to Him, if only she could reach out, everything would be well.

And it was.

The woman’s healing came because of her genuine faith. And her act of faith was deeply representative of the faith we all need to have—faith “more precious than gold” (1 Peter 1:7).

In our own lives, there’s no requirement to physically touch Jesus to receive mercy and healing. But we are called to move closer spiritually to the Father and Son (James 4:8). Spiritually reaching symbolizes our desire to be nearer to God, to trust in Him, and to believe that He alone holds the power to restore us.

Narrowing the gap

Are we spiritually reaching? After God has called us, do we understand that truly seeking Him is what it takes to narrow the gap between God and us (Jeremiah 29:13)? This woman knew that the power of God was not distant or unattainable—it was near, it was within her reach.

Closing the distance between us and God is a vital part of our Christian walk. Too often we hesitate, believing that we must first be worthy—that we must first earn His attention. But God doesn’t demand such things. He asks that we come—that we believe—that we reach (Matthew 11:28-30).

So how do we close the gap?

Spending time studying the Bible brings us closer to God and helps us learn more about His heart and His ways.

Meditating on God’s Word allows His truth to sink deep within us.

Praying to God opens a direct line of communication with Him, enabling us to share our burdens, seek His wisdom and grow in our relationship with Him.

Acknowledging our sins and repenting is another crucial step—we must recognize our need for righteousness and turn away from the things that keep us distant from God.

Obeying God’s commandments is another vital part of closing the gap. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Obedience to God is a direct reflection of our faith in Him. When we follow God’s Word, we align ourselves with His will, and the distance between us and Him is reduced.

Fellowshipping with other believers can strengthen our faith as well. When we spend quality time with others who are seeking God, we come away invigorated, inspired and reminded of God’s faithfulness. We weren’t meant to walk this journey alone. God calls us to be part of something greater than ourselves, the Body of Christ—the Church—where we can find support, understanding and love.

Life will always bring trials and difficulties. Challenges will rise, and storms will come. But God the Father and Jesus Christ are always near, ready to pour out healing, ready to restore, and ready to embrace those who come to Them in faith. The power of God is still present, still working miracles and still healing the hurt and brokenhearted. To receive God’s help, all it takes is closing the distance.

Just as it was for the woman in need of healing, our lives can change forever if we simply believe and trust and reach out in faith.

If you’d like to learn more about building the faith needed for this Christian journey, I encourage you to explore the “Armor of God” Journey series on the Life, Hope & Truth Learning Center.