The balm of Gilead

My long journey started twelve years ago. I was a very active woman, well surrounded by family, and friends. Every time I walked in the streets of my neighborhood, my neighbors would stop me to say hi and have a quick talk. Sometimes, they invited me for a quick tea and a good piece of  raisin cake. 

You do not need to know my name, I think it is not important. However, I am keen on telling you my story.

On the sabbath, I go to the synagogue and listen to the Word of God. As I worship and pray, my heart awaits the Messiah with great anticipation.

As the weeks go by, I started to feel tired and weak. I started to have blood loss. I immediately went to a physician where he told me that I am suffering from hemorrhages and prescribed me medicines. Day after day, it only got worse. I decided to go to another physician, who was even more expensive and prescribed me even more medicines, but also this did not stop the bleeding. I felt like I was in a true nightmare. I have been imprisoned all of a sudden. I stopped going to the synagogue. People avoided me. My family abandoned me. No one wanted to take care of me. No one. I went from being weak to weaker. Loneliness, isolation, hopelessness and shame were accompanying me everywhere I went.

In the neighborhood and the streets, people would avoid me for my uncleanliness. My name was forgotten, and I got new ones instead: the unclean woman, the cursed woman,  the woman with the issue of blood …

I spent all my money, I had nothing left, I couldn’t try any other physician. I was desperate and felt there was no possible solution for my situation. Then suddenly, something reminded me of someone who has been doing miracles and healing the sick, opening the eyes of the blind, and even raising the dead. He will surely make me whole again. He is the One who has such a great power for miracles. His name is Jesus.

I must go see this ‘Jesus’.

Despite my shame and the rejection I am facing, I will go where He is. 

I will not give up, despite this huge crowd I see that is pressing in on many sides, I won’t stop Him and tell Him my story, I know I am not worthy. All I will do, I will just touch the hem of His garment and I will be healed. 

Here He is! He is there! I can see Him from afar! … Jesus...

My heart is beating fast. I feel overwhelmed by all the emotions I have been going through. But I am at the same time full of faith. I know in the depth of the depth of my heart that if I only touch the hem of His garment, I will be healed.

I decided to go down on my knees and even crawl so no one would be able to see me. It is a long way to crawl until I reach Him, but I am full of determination. I want to be healed, today. I won't let this large crowd stand between me and Jesus. I won't let the obstacles surrounding me stop me from reaching Him and stop what I can take from Him. I will move and advance in deep faith knowing I will get what I need. I will push through the crowd.

Even if I cannot touch anyone because of my uncleanliness, I will dare to touch Jesus!

Only one touch, and I will be healed. 

People are stepping on me, pushing me, but I am getting closer to Him. I finally was able to touch the tassel of His garment. Immediately, power went through my whole body and reached where no medicine or cure had been effective. Straightaway, the blood dried up. I felt life going through my body, I felt a powerful resurrection in every dead part in me.

And suddenly, Jesus stops. He looks around Him while people are still touching Him and say: who touched me?

I feel scared. I said to myself: did I just steal something from Him? Will He take back my healing? 

But a boldness from within, rose me up from the ground and I stood up declaring: I did ! It is me who touched you. 

Before this large crowd who knew all about me, He makes my testimony known. He takes away my shame and my brokenness. 

Before this large crowd, He calls me: BELOVED DAUGHTER !

He gives me a name. He makes me belong to Him. He gives me an identity!

He calls me out to bless me more! He gives me beyond what I need. He restores my soul and binds up all my wounds.

I am now made well, whole, restored, valued, and cleansed.

I received my healing freely without even one shekel. Jesus is truly the balm of Gilead who can heal every sickness and every disease.

I am sure He is the Messiah. I have received eternal life through Him and I have been made whole. I have a true freedom and experience a complete healing. He is my savior. I belong to Him.

An immediate transformation in my body and my soul, that I knew right away I was healed because of Jesus. He is the great physician, full of mercy and compassion. He is the anointed One who through His balm, I was made all new.

- His beloved daughter.