Faith is not what you believe; it’s believing enough to act on it.
It’s an action word. In the Torah, faith in God means trust,
not belief in particular propositions. Dr. Menachem Kellner
As they went a woman who wanted to be healed came up behind and touched him, for she had been slowly bleeding for twelve years, and could find no cure (though she had spent everything she had on doctors). But the instant she touched the edge of his robe, the bleeding stopped. Luke 8:43-44 Living Bible
Bleeding women were unclean. Anything she touched became unclean. Anyone she touched became unclean. So, no hugs, no contacts, no exceptions. And she could never go to the Temple to worship.
Truly, she was more strictly quarantined than we even are, with far fewer resources. For 12 years!
But she had faith – and a plan. Defying social and Mosaic Laws, she jostled her way through the crowd. She touched His robe. And she was immediately healed. Imagine her amazement and joy!
But her private miracle would not remain private.
“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
Everyone denied it, and Peter said, “Master, so many are crowding against you. . . . ”
But Jesus told him, “No, it was someone who deliberately touched me, for I felt healing power go out from me.” Luke 8:45-46 Living Bible
Did she really think that she could touch God without Him knowing it?
When the woman realized that Jesus knew, she began to tremble and fell to her knees before him and told why she had touched him and that now she was well. Luke 8:47 Living Bible
Her triumph gave way to fear. She confessed – in front of a crowd that could turn on her when it heard her truth!
But her truth was eclipsed by a greater one: “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” Luke 8:47-48 Living Bible
“Your faith has healed you.” Not her faith in doctors and medicines, but her faith in the Living God.
“Go in peace.” Peace with God, peace with the Law, peace with the crowd.
Such amazing grace!
By the way, she is the only person the Bible that Jesus calls, “Daughter.”
Faith is not trying to believe something regardless of the evidence; faith is daring to do something regardless of the consequences. Sherwood Eddy
