Gentle Reader,
While He was going, the crowds were nearly crushing Him. A woman suffering from bleeding for twelve years, who had spent all she had on doctors and yet could not be healed by any, approached from behind and touched the end of His robe. Instantly her bleeding stopped.
“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds are hemming You in and pressing against You.”
“Someone did touch Me,” said Jesus. “I know that power has gone out from Me.” When the woman saw that she was discovered, she came trembling and fell down before Him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched Him and how she was instantly healed. “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
– Luke 8:42b-48 (CSB, emphasis mine)
Lemme tell you about my Jesus.
He is the King of Kings. He is the Lord of Lords. He is fully God and fully Man. He alone can save. He literally lived, died, and rose again. One day He will return. Until that day, He sends His Spirit out into the world, indwelling those who call upon His name and drawing those who do not into decision moments, clearly revealing Himself to them. He holds all of creation together. He is the power that sets the captive free. He is the comfort that soothes the brokenhearted. He is the grace for the chief of sinners.
My Jesus is strong, but tender. Has all authority, but longs to hold people close. Judges rightly, but takes no pleasure in the separation of anyone from Himself. Possesses a voice that booms like thunder, but also speaks in the quietest whisper. Exists outside of time, but operates within its scope. Eyes aflame and hair whiter than snow. Sits, because the work is finished. There is none like Him.
My Jesus is awesome.
People say I’m foolish and weak for believing. I don’t care, because I know my Jesus. I know what He has done for me. No, my body does not work right and probably won’t this side of Eternity. But my Jesus, He’s done something much greater. More important. In a moment, He justified me. He claimed me as His own. Saved me. Across a lifetime, however long or short it may be, He sanctifies me. Teaches me to live like He does. Transforms me into the person He wants me to be.
The reason I reach out to Jesus, the reason I touch Him?
Because I need Him. I am lost, I am nothing, without Him. I cannot function apart from Him.
He set me free, right when I took the breath for the cry meant only for His ears. Instantly. I did not recognize it, and sometimes still choose to rush back to my jail cell. But the door is open, never to be closed again, because no one can close what He has opened. Patiently, lovingly, He helps me to keep moving forward, even after I’ve gone backward. I do not deserve His grace and mercy, yet He continues to offer it. I am His beloved, His child, His daughter, His friend.
I love my Jesus. Not perfectly. Not even well at times. But love Him nonetheless. Because He first loved me.
For all posts in the Sisters series, go here.