Bridging the Gap

10/12/2022

Written by: Christina Gregory

“And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased. And Jesus said, "Who was it that touched me?" When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!" But Jesus said, "Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me." And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed. And he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace."”

- Luke 8:43-48

This is my favorite miracle that Jesus performed. I’ve written about it before. Every time I visit this passage, God reveals something new to me. The study of this story in our small group last week was no exception. We suggested that this woman’s testimony looked a lot like our own. That she had tried everything else, she was out of options. She was desperate. This was her last resort.

But this time through this Scripture, the words “she had spent all her living on physicians” stood out more than every time before. To spend something, she had to have something. Did she work? Did she come from a wealthy family?

I have always pictured this woman as desperate, weary and broken and just plain broke. I have imagined her faith so big that it dwarfs my own. In my mind, this was a third world problem. This woman and I felt different in most every way.

But maybe she was also a wife and a mother who was trying her best to care for herself while also caring for her family. Maybe each day she woke up and chose joy despite her circumstances and had hope that today would be the day for a breakthrough. Maybe she was a good, wise friend, who people sought counsel from at a safe distance. Maybe the faith she had wasn’t big at all. Maybe it was just enough.

Just maybe, she’s more like you and I than I thought.

But there’s one thing that she had that we don’t on this side of Heaven - Jesus Christ in the flesh.

When I view this story through the lens of 2022 and beyond, I imagine this woman walking through the doors of our church looking for healing. Not from a disorder deeming her ceremonially unclean, thanks to the finishing work of Jesus. But maybe she needs healing from an addiction that she just can’t shake. Or maybe it’s an unhealthy relationship she can’t walk away from. Maybe she grew up in the church but due to time and poor decisions, she just feels too far gone now.

She won’t find Jesus, the man, in our building. She won’t be able to touch the fringe of His garment as He passes by. No one there can gauge her faith. No, Jesus won’t be there…but we will. We are as close to Jesus in the flesh as some will experience here on earth.

Fellow followers of Christ, we are the ones bridging the gap between heaven and earth for those looking for the Savior.

No, we can’t heal her, but we know the way to the Healer. No, our touch isn’t supernatural but our kindness should set us apart. We can’t be her Savior but we can be her mentor. Whether at Victory or in the grocery store, at work or downtown at a festival, I am absolutely certain that our interactions with people, in the name of Jesus, are either pushing people closer to or further from Him.

In most stories I read from the Bible, I imagine myself as the one in need of the Savior. Because I am, every day. But there’s a teaching in each of these interactions for those leading others to Christ as well. We can place ourselves in the role of Jesus and allow the Spirit that dwells within us to perform miracles in the life of others even today.