Great Faith

As the money floated to different doctors through the years, my hope disappeared little by little each time I heard one say, “I'm sorry.” For twelve years, I have suffered. My money is gone, and my hope with it. My only chance is this Man.

…

Yesterday

“Unclean! Unclean!” I hurried past the shops, ignoring the frightened looks from passerby. One woman almost tripped as she tried to avoid me. Don't worry, I'm not going to touch you.

Would He do the same thing? Would He reject me for touching him, because I was unclean? Shaking my head to push the thoughts aside, I continued to make my way to Capernaum.

“Agh!” Doubling over in pain, I gripped my stomach. After a few moments, with tears flowing down my face, I pulled myself back up and continued walking. I had to see this Man.

…

“This is Michelle. Leave a message after the beep.”

Beep.

“Hey, it's me, Tina. Um, call me when you get this. Bye.” She must be working long hours at the hospital. I wonder how everyone's doing. In her mind, the video from that fateful day replayed itself. She felt the infected needle breaking through the glove to her skin. The phone's dial tone shook her from her thoughts. Punching in the familiar number, she held her breath. Please answer.

“You've reached Jena's phone. I'm not here, so leave a mes....”

Slamming the phone in it's cradle, the tears began to fall.

“I've left messages!” She yelled at the phone. “What's wrong with everyone? It wasn't my fault! It was a freak accident! It's not contagious! They won't get AIDS by talking to me or hanging out with me.” Dropping to her knees, the tears fell faster. “Lord, are you even there?”

...

Today

People from the surrounding towns and countrysides were gathered at the water's edge, awaiting the Man's boat to come to shore. After hearing stories of what He had done on the other side of the lake, they brought their sick in hopes that he would heal them, too.

As soon as the Man stepped on shore, the crowd surrounded Him. He wrapped his torn, dirty cloak tight around him as the wind blew harder.

“Jesus! Jesus!” The crowd parted to let a well-dressed man through to Him.

Keeping my distance so not to be seen, I watched as he fell to Jesus' feet.

“My daughter is dying!” He cried. Please...please, come and lay your hands on her. Heal her, so she can live.”

Jesus gently lifted him from the ground and motioned for him to lead the way. They, along with the multitude, began migrating toward the man's house.

This is my chance.

…

Tina laid the Bible down on the bed-stand tray and bowed her head. “Lord, this woman had such great faith. She believed that when she touched your cloak, she would be healed. Father, I know you can heal me. You are the greatest doctor, capable of healing any disease, even AIDS. Thank you that you will heal me. I know it will be in your time, but I know you will do it.” She paused, wiping tears away from her eyes. “God, thank you for my healing.”

“Knock, knock,” the doctor said, entering her antiseptic-smelling hospital room.

…

The wind blew the dust in my eyes. I'm sure my face was bathed in mud, my tears caking the dust to my face. Staying as low to the ground as I could, I began making my way through the crowd, careful not to touch anyone lest I be seen.

Thoughts raced rapidly through my mind. If I can just touch His robe, I will be healed. But, what if someone stops me and calls me out before I can touch Him?What if He rejects me like the rest of them What if I'm stoned for touching this man? As I looked up from crawling on the worn, dusty path, I found myself within an arm's reach of His robe. Closing my eyes, I stretched my arm out and grabbed hold of the end of the ragged cloth.

…

“Tina, I'm afraid this is it.” The doctor shook his head. “I'm sorry.”

“How long?”

“A few more hours, maybe,” he replied.

Tears ran down her face. “I'm ready.”

“Are you sure? Do you want the chaplain to come in and pray with you?” He asked.

“No. I'm fine. I know I'm going to be healed. If this is it, I'm ready.”

The doctor stood, befuddled. He'd never had an AIDS patient, or a cancer patient for that matter, so full of faith as this woman.

“Okay, then. I will come and check on you in an hour.”

“Alright,” she replied, reaching for her Bible.

As the doctor walked out of Tina's room, he heard her singing. He paused at the door, looking back to see Tina with her hands raised, face toward the ceiling. Shaking his head, he continued out the door.

…

Immediately, my bleeding stopped.

“Who touched my robe?” Jesus asked, turning to scan the crowd. I shrank back into the forest of legs, afraid and unsure of what was going to happen next.

“Look at this crowd pressing around you,” said a man standing next to Him. “How can you ask, 'Who touched me?'”

“ I know someone touched me. I felt healing go forth from me.” He continued to scan the crowd.

From my hiding place, my body refused to stop shaking. I'm healed!I'm really healed!

“Who touched me?” He asked again.

Trembling, I ran and fell at His feet.

“It was me. I touched your robe,” I said, full of shame, fear, and expectancy.

He gently placed his hand on my head.

“Rise, my child.”

…

The next hours passed slowly and with much pain.

“Lord,” she said in gasps, “I'm ready.”

Beeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeep.

The next thing she knew, Tina felt no more pain. She could breathe normally and was on her knees before a bright light. She felt a hand resting gently on the crown of her head.

“Rise, my child.”

…

“Daughters, your faith has made you well. Your suffering is over.”