Noticed by Christ

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.”

Luke 8:43-48

This story of the bleeding woman, for me, is one of the most moving in the Scriptures.

There is not one person who cannot relate to struggling with something for a long time, and I’m sure there’s not one woman who hasn’t battled in some shape or form on the hormonal/menopausal journey.

This woman was a phenomenal example, as one who endured and endured in a time which was extremely difficult for women, who were often marginalised and neglected.

Despite all this, she doesn’t attempt to stop Jesus, as He walks with an important Synagogue official to heal his daughter. She comes up in the crowd behind Him, reaching out with a tired, trembling hand to simply touch the tasselled fringe of His robe. She has a sense – a faith – that something might just happen if she connects with Him. And she’s right! A miracle happens.

But to her surprise, Jesus notices. He senses something. He stops and sees her!

Jesus doesn’t tuck the truth of her condition away in a shame corner, adding to the pain of her twelve years of suffering as marginalised and outcast. He calls her into the light of his healing and welcome and companionship. Jesus commends and affirms her for the faith which saw her healed.

Her courage and His compassion make for quite a partnership

v47 reminds us,“Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed”

Wow! How wonderful to know that we can’t go on unnoticed by God? How great to know that we have a God who sees, advocates and affirms us in our womanhood?
We are valued, precious, cared and provided for, at every stage of our life and leadership.

May we receive comfort today that we are noticed, seen and understood as women leaders. Every aspect of what we go through matters to Jesus. If this story is not enough to convince you of that, then be encouraged by these further examples of how our Jesus viewed and valued women.

• Physically – Jesus heals a crippled woman – Luke 13:10-17
• Emotionally – The widow at Nain – Luke 7:11-18
• Mentally – Mary cured of evil spirits and diseases – Luke 8
• Relationally – The women at the well – John 4
• Financially – Joanna and Susanna – Luke 8
• Spiritually – The women who see resurrected Jesus – Matthew 28

I pray that you will grow in courage, like this incredible woman in Luke 8, to reach out to Jesus in your need, in your struggle, in your joy, and in your opportunities. I pray for regular moments for you to know the compassion, help and strength of God as you journey .

Jesus changed everything for women and our earnest prayer, through conversation and community, we will see more of that change too.