On day two of lent, thinking about Jesus and the woman with the issue of blood.

Today’s Lenten verse is Colossians 1:15 – The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

I love this verse, as it reminds us that Jesus displays the love of the Father in His being and in His works.

With that in mind, today I want to talk about a familiar Bible story to many of us.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, for my quiet times this year, I am following a plan that has me reading through the Gospels each month, using a different Bible every time.

This month, I’m using my husband’s grandfather’s Living Bible that is dear to me.

I am so loving the simplicity of this study, the rhythm of reading the stories again and again, seeing new things about Jesus.

That said, I’ve been meaning to write about one in particular – and it came around again today.

And it could not be more perfect for the week that my devotional book for my chronically ill people has been released.

It’s the story of the woman with the issue of blood, a chronically ill woman who could not find relief – a story that resonates with me deeply.

Today I read it in Luke 8:43-48, but it also appears in Matthew and Mark – so, in my readings, I come to it almost weekly.

This woman has been bleeding severely, hemorrhaging, for twelve years. Scripture says she “could find no cure (though she had spent everything she had on doctors).” Oh do we spoonies know this feeling all too well.

As a Jewish woman in her culture, this condition would have rendered her unclean, unable to participate in daily life. She could not attend temple. She would not have been able to go to the market. She could not be touched – because it would make those who touched her unclean. She would have essentially been an outcast – for TWELVE YEARS.

Then she went in desperation to Jesus. . . and touched the hem of his robe. . . and was healed.

And when Jesus knew – of course He already knew – that she had touched him and looked for her? And she confessed in fear, expecting to be rebuked?

Because, having touched Him, Jesus was a Jewish man – fully human, fully God. By Jewish law, He would have been unclean (were He not also God). Naturally, she was fearful that He would be angry.

But. . . no.

She was met with tenderness, kindness, love.

After twelve long years of suffering and disgrace, she is told to go in peace.

“Your faith has made you well.”

In another Gospel, it is says that Jesus also calls her “Daughter,” the only time he does so in Scripture.

Beautiful.

This is the very picture of our God and His kindness and mercy.

Jesus is the image of the Invisible God – and we can trust Him.

Be well, everybody. Take care of yourselves and each other.

Grace and Blessings.