One of my favorite Bible characters is the woman with the issue of blood. You may stop reading here if this is not your favorite. Her tenacity has encouraged me in difficult times and I have pictured myself on my hands and knees grasping at Jesus garment. I have also seen the Hollywood version in a film about Barabbas where the cloak from Jesus is carried around in the hopes that holiness somehow sticks to linen? I’m reading Ezekiel and noticed something similar in Chapter 44. Here the discussion is on the consecration of the altar and how carefully the sacred Sanctuary is to be maintained. Why is this important? The Glory of God fills the temple! Verse 4 reads, “Then He brought me by way of the north gate to the front of the house; and I looked, and behold, the glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord, and I fell on my face”. Verse 16, and going forward describe the service of the priests. When the work in the temple is complete then verse 19 reads, “And when they go out into the outer court, into the outer court to the people, they shall put off their garments in which they have been ministering and lay them in the holy chambers; then they shall put on other garments that they may not transmit holiness to the people with their garments”. Can linen transmit holiness?
Had the woman Jesus healed read this? Being Jewish, so many of Jesus followers had context from the early writings to God’s people. She had faith in the ways of God that aided in her confidence in the incarnate Son of God. Holy garments are not a part of church today because we have prayer for healing and the indwelling Holy Spirit. All four gospels recount the accounts of Jesus healing. In Mark 5:28-34, the details unfold and Jesus’ reaction to her faith. She felt healed in her body as soon as she touched Jesus’ cloak and Jesus says, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.” She felt the healing, Jesus felt His power proceed from Him, yet He attributes the return to health to her faith and not a cloak. We like easy, magic, and instant results. It is exciting but not quite supported in scripture. God can do anything and may heal us now but that would be temporary just as in this case. The woman eventually died but her faith gave her a spiritual birth that will last for eternity.
