The Master Healer

A particular passage of scripture has been on my mind as of late.  I find it interesting how a passage of scripture can change at times.  The scriptures themselves don't change in words, but at times scriptures, when looked at in a different light or angle, can change and open up whole new insights and meaning for the reader.  I had this happen recently.....hence the passage of scripture that has been on my mind.  This story is one that everyone (hopefully) can recall, or has at least heard of it, but at the same time I think this passage is often overlooked.  Maybe it's because it's short, or because it's "just" another miracle that the Savior performed. For whatever reason it may be, I have found new meaning in these verses.

Luke 8: 43-48.  "And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, came behind Him, and touched the boarder of His garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.  And Jesus said, Who touched me?  When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?  And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceived that virtue is gone out of me.  And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.  And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace." 

 

Isn't it amazing!  Such a small passage really holds so much!  When I read this the other day I couldn't help but feel sorry for this poor woman who has suffered for 12 years this her illness and suffering.  But then my mind was opened and I turned these scripture into something personal.  What "issues of blood" have I struggled with for 5, 10, 12 years or more?  When you think of it that way, it makes you ponder deeper.  What "issues of blood" do you carry?  Certainly this passage makes me think of those who have illnesses, whether they be physical, mental or emotional, but I also think of those who have "issues of blood" that are not so physical.  I think of those who are single or alone and long to be married or have a family.  I think of those who are married but can't bare children.  I think of those who have wayward children who want nothing to do with their family.  I think of those who live in poverty or who go hungry.  The list can go on and sometimes these "issues of blood" last longer than 12 years; they last a life time.  Whatever your "issues of blood" may be, or how long it lasts, there is comfort in this passage. 

This woman who suffered for 12 years had tried everything.  The earthly physicians could not heal her, but the Master physician could.  And it is the same with ALL of us.  This scripture brings peace and hope in that we, one day, can and will be healed.  This healing may come immediately or it may not be until we are at His feet in the eternities, but for all that come unto Him, reach out and "touch His garment," will be healed or have their burdens made light.  I know that to be true for I have felt His strength and grace in my life.  He is the Master physician.  He is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God.  He can move mountains and comfort the weary and sick.  Our part, like the woman in the crowd, is to reach out to Him and He will reach out to us.  It can be hard to understand why we have the "issues of blood" that we carry, but I find comfort in a wise Heavenly Father who knows us so perfectly and knows what is best for each and everyone of us.  The "issues of blood" are there to help us grow; to grow closer to Him. 

I am grateful for my many "issues of blood" that have helped me reach out to the Savior when I have done all that I could and when no earthly physicians could heal me.  He has made my burdens light and has healed me on more than one occasion.  I am so very grateful to my savior, the Master healer, who loves us and is ever reaching out to us to comfort, heal, cheer and bless!