Morning Devotional
February 2, 2010

As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. "Who touched me?" Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you." But Jesus said, "Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me." Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace." (Luke 8:42-48 NIV).

I really like today’s reading. It touches a part of all of us. The woman had been subject to years of bleeding; twelve years to be exact. She had given up all hope of being made well. Many had tried to heal her, so she must have been a woman of means. She had struggled with her illness in a land that was not accepting to the sick. In fact, her condition made her an outcast in their culture. She was wasting away and heard about a man named Jesus who was coming to town. The stories told that this man Jesus had power to heal. With any strength she had left, she made her way through the crowd. "If I can just touch His garment", she thought as she sneaked up behind our Lord. Reaching out her hand, she gripped, just barely, the hem of His garment. Immediately the woman was healed! Twelve years of heartache........One touch and it was over! Not only that, but Jesus welcomed her into the family by calling her "Daughter". He then sent her away in peace. She was saved and accepted by God! She was a woman who hadn't known peace for twelve years and now had a new life ahead of her! Redemption had come!

“Outcasts”… the word suggests many images in our modern culture. It is easy to think of the homeless, the downtrodden, or the forgotten individuals who live in the “underbelly” of our society when we think of outcasts today. However, there are many others who live in plain sight or our daily interactions with others that are just as much an outcast. There are those who have been made to feel inferior because of various reasons who inwardly cry to be accepted. Think of the elderly who seem to be forgotten by friends and family alike. Are they not “outcasts”? How about those returning warriors who have been forced to change their lives because of physical or emotional disabilities in the protecting of our freedoms; are they not “outcasts”? There are people of all ages, races, and cultural backgrounds who are modern outcasts. Our call should be to bring them to Jesus who can grant them acceptance and healing.

Will you join me in a renewed commitment to recognizing and ministering to the outcasts of our culture wherever they are? And, if you are one of those who feel as an outcast, can I remind you that you have access to enter into the presence of the Savior and have Him minister to your spirit. Grab hold of His garment today! Cling hard to Jesus! Let Him heal you today!