Also this time through v. 15 taught me that one of the purposes of fasting is to feel our Savior near. The Pharisees ask why the disciples aren't fasting and Christ answers that He is right there, teaching them, filling them. When He leaves, they will need to fast to maintain that connection.
This time as I read through the story of the woman who touched the Savior's robe I felt particularly touched.
She wants to be healed, but for a reason we don't know, doesn't want to ask for that.
She has faith, she knows the Savior can heal her, but maybe she feels unworthy, maybe she doesn't want to take his time, maybe she is shy... whatever.
She tries to be healed just through touching Him.
I think it's significant that the Savior stopped. I'm sure He knew and could've kept going, but He stopped.
I don't think it was to make sure everyone knew there was no getting anything past Him... I think it was because He wanted to see her. He wanted her to know Him. Part of the power in His healing is that it isn't some magical thing dissociated to one particular. It is Him, it is our Savior who heals us. When we try to reach Him, He will connect with us.
He wanted this woman to not only be healed, but to feel connected, loved, whole, recognized. He wanted her to feel valuable despite the crowd of people.
We can all have healing, forgiveness, connection, comfort, peace... all the good stuff... when we need it, when we reach to Him.
If anything is 'magical' it's that we all get it we don't have to wait in line, we don't have to be anything special, we don't have to pay for it... he knows us and wants to see us... we just have to seek Him.
