Just One Touch

"Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, "If only I can touch his cloak, I will be healed."

Matthew 9:20-21

Just one touch. That's all she was after. Whether she wasn't brave enough, not feeling worthy enough, or simply not able to press beyond the crowd, she wasn't even face-to-face. She approached Him from behind seeking one touch. 

Just the edge. Other translations refer to the hem, the fringe, or even the tassel. Just one tassel. One thread of his garment. Just the very bottom - the fringe that most likely resulted from wear and tear. All she needed was one shred of His garment. 

"Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment." Matthew 9:22

Her faith had healed her. Through the power of Jesus Christ and the faith she certainly clung to, the suffering she'd endured for 12 long years was instantaneously healed from that very moment of her great exchange with Christ.

It's a nice story to read. One of distinct faith and awesome power, but in the present day I wonder if we can find the application for ourselves. Do we seek Him so directly? Do we believe with wholehearted faith that just one touch, just one fringe would be enough to provide the healing we seek? Do we have faith that such an encounter would instantly and dramatically change our lives? 

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

When we cast our burden on Him, when we take His yoke, it is a spiritual transaction. We must acknowledge that He is sovereign and in control of our lives. The outcome is ultimately up to Him. The faith in Him is up to us. We make a spiritual exchange, lightening our own burden by taking on the rest He promises. When we give Him our burden, we relinquish the responsibility that we are somehow in charge of things beyond our control. 

We may not find instantaneous relief from the suffering of our circumstances, but we can immediately receive peace and rest from Him at work in our lives. Just one touch from Him, just one heart pursuing Him so directly, just one moment, just one exchange of our burden for His yoke that is light. 

Reach out and touch His hem. Seek Him. Be willing in faith to exchange your burden for His peace. He is just one touch away.