a mere touch

I've been rummaging through the pictures from my trip to Italy and Israel this past year, reliving all the things I had seen and experienced. I feel this strong pull to return...to learn more, to see more. One of the places that really stood out to me was Capernaum. There we were at the Sea of Galilee where Jesus' ministry began. This is what remains of the synagogue.

The foundation, the black stone in the first picture, is the original foundation. My group sat under the trees next to the synagogue and recounted the story of the woman who reached out and touched the hem of His garment.

"Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. She said to herself, 'If I only touch His cloak, I will be healed.' Jesus turned and saw her. 'Take heart, daughter,' He said, 'your faith has healed you.' And the woman was healed from that moment." Mt. 9:20-22 NIV

This week, the band is learning a new song to sing this weekend. It's lyrics immediately transported me back to that spot underneath the trees in Capernaum where I sat and shed tears craving the faith this woman had possessed. Just one touch is all we need.

In Mt. 9 you find that Jesus was on His way to bringing a dead child back to life. There was a crowd surrounding Him, all waiting for this huge miracle to happen. This woman didn't want to interrupt Him. She knew that the mere brush of His garment would be powerful enough to cleanse her. To cure her.

That's the kind of faith we should all yearn to have. To reach out knowing that He will provide. To step out knowing He will heal. Knowing He will change your life forever, and all you need is just one touch.