An Active Faith

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment.

Matthew 9:20 

How does faith behave? The text before us describes a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years. She was following Christ as He was on His way to the home of Jarius, a ruler of the synagogue, to raise His daughter from the dead. While He went, the woman got as close as she could and touched the hem of His garment. Two other evangelists speak of this incident with more detail. All three mention this act of the woman. For our purpose, we will dwell upon the fact that the woman demonstrated an active faith. She had heard of Him, sought Him, and reached out to Him. Here is faith in action. There is value here for us. We may not have a need like this woman’s, but we do have needs, some physical, mental, spiritual or social. We have heard of Christ and have reason to seek Him. We can reach out to Christ. Ours can be a faith that acts even as did this woman’s. Therefore, we ought to seek Christ as she did, with active faith. Christ does not cast out those who come to Him. He is there for the seeking soul. Action is appropriate to faith.  

Our Gracious Master and our God, 
we rejoice that You are available to us. 
We praise You that we can reach out 
and touch the hem of Your garment. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning