#50 Luke 8:42b-47 Who Touched Me?

Joy:
Episode #50 Luke 8:42b-47

Welcome

Amy:
Welcome to The Christgazing Podcast. We are so glad you’re here. I’m Amy Burgin.

Joy:
I’m Joy Burgin.

Amy:
If you are anything like us, you desire to spend time with Jesus every day. This podcast makes space for that. Each week we read a passage from the Bible several times and create stillness after each reading that we also might be still and know God.

You may have noticed today’s episode is extra long. Don’t worry, we intend to keep our episodes short. You can think of today as a rare bonus. We have a special guest near the end and hope you have time to hang around and meet her.

We are in a series that takes us through the book of Luke. In the last episode, we saw Jesus cross the Sea of Galilee and land in the region of the Gerasenes, where he drove a legion of demons out of a man and into a herd of pigs. The townspeople were frightened and begged Jesus to leave them. So he returned to Galilee. A large crowd welcomed him there, and a man named Jairus, a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to go to his house because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. Jesus agreed, and the crowds followed. Something touching happened on the trip, which is what today’s passage is all about.

Pour Out Your Heart to God

Amy:
Before Joy reads it, take a few moments to give God the things that are on your mind. Maybe it’s a circumstance, issue, or condition you didn’t choose but have lived with for a long time. Maybe it’s excitement about the holiday season, or dread, gratitude, or worry. Whatever is on your mind, name it and bring it to the Lord in this next minute.

What Does This Passage Say About God?

Joy:
As I read the passage for the first time, consider the question, What does this passage say about God?

Luke 8:42b – 47 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.”

Again?

Luke 8:42b – 47 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.”

Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about God?

[Pause and know]

What Does This Passage Say About People?

Joy:
As I reread the passage, consider the question: What does this passage tell you about people?

Luke 8:42b – 47 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.”

Take the next few moments to answer the question, what does this passage tell you about people?

[Pause and know]

Lord, What Would You Have Me Know Or Do Today?

Joy:
As I read for the last time, ask God the question, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today in response to this passage?”

Luke 8:42b – 47 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.”

Take time to ask God, “Lord, what would you have me know or do today?”

[Pause and listen]

Blessing

Joy:
Christgazer, the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace. And may you push through the crowds of fear, insecurity, and doubt to touch him today. 

One Response

Wow, when you push through the crowds of insecurity and doubt to touch the cloak of Christ, you learn no problem can eclipse God’s good plan and purpose for your life.

I’m excited to share that we have a special guest on the podcast today, Dr. Wanita Mercer. She is an author, consultant, and educator with over thirteen years of experience in education and civic leadership, including three years of international experience as a doctoral professor and motivational speaker in China. She and I met over zoom for over an hour and a half having a complete blast talking about this passage, which is also found in the book of Matthew and Mark. I can’t share the entire conversation here, so I’ve grabbed some of my favorite clips. The story is one of her favorites and very personal to her. I asked her to tell us more about that.

Wanita:
transcript unavailable

Amy:
The words pushed through the crowds really stood out to me so I asked her what that represented for her.

Wanita:
transcript unavailable

Amy:
Wanita authored a book, released earlier this year, titled, The Man You Need to Marry. This book helps the single woman discover the Christlike characteristics of the man she needs to marry. Wanita does this through seven devotionals, introducing readers to seven women who encountered Jesus. Her first devotional introduces us to this woman. I asked her to read that for us.

Wanita:
transcript unavailable

Amy:
In addition to the devotionals she has written in this book, I love that she also provides over 30 journaling prompts, which lead single women on an intimate journey of reflection and self-assessment regarding their desires for a husband and commitment to being the woman a man needs to marry. Before we wrapped up our zoom meeting, I asked her if she felt Jesus calling her to share anything else about the passage and she did.

Wanita:
transcript unavailable

Closing

Amy:
Dr. Wanita Mercer is available for speaking engagements and workshops.

You can find her devotional book The Man You Need to Marry on Amazon in both Kindle and paperback versions.

Supplemental to the book, Dr. Mercer has created a 10-week interactive and inspiring Bible study for small groups called “I Deserve Covenant Love” (or IDCL). You may contact Dr. Wanita Mercer to host an IDCL program at your church, university, or organization. For more information, go to drwanitamercer.com…that is d-r-w-a-n-i-t-a-m-e-r-c-e-r dot com.

Joy and I will be back next week to go Christgazing together. Until then, don’t forget, when you put your trust in Christyou are one in whom he dwells and delightsa dearly loved child of God. You are royalty in his strong and unshakeable kingdomThough trouble abounds, Christ prevails, and so do you.

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