Friday, March 13, 2015

Lenten Devotional...March 13

Luke 8:43-48
 
“When the woman saw that she could not remain hidden, she came trembling; and falling down before him, she declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him…”
(Luke 8:47)
 
Confession is good for the soul. These familiar words convey the powerful truth that the heavy weight of personal accountability can only be eased when the hand is raised, and the voice is heard, “It’s me.”
 
In yesterday’s devotional, I mentioned this woman who boldly stepped into the crowd to touch Jesus and be healed.  She hoped to go unnoticed, but she hadn’t counted on the sensitivity of Jesus.  Peter reminded Jesus that the crowd was pushing him from every side. He was touched by everybody!! Yet, he noticed only one touch.
 
She wasn’t going to get away with it.  Her healing wouldn’t be kept secret.  Trembling, she fell before Jesus and the crowd, confessing why she had touched him.  Mark says she told Jesus the whole truth. Perhaps she told him of spending everything she had on worthless cures.  Perhaps she told him of the years of isolation she endured or confessed her anger about the curse she surely thought God had placed on her.
 
“Your faith has made you well,” Jesus told her. “Go in peace.”  Confession encountered grace, the healing touch of Jesus.  Confession was, and still is, very good for the soul.
 
Prayer: We reach out to touch you, Lord, and know that you are aware of our need.  May we find healing and peace. Amen. 
 

Jim Abernathy

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