I touched the hem of His garment

Why? Why?

These past twelve years I have tried to not complain,

But it has been so difficult

My body betrays me

With its infirmity

The law pronounces me an outcast

Look at my sisters – they stand proudly

Amongst their children

Oh, to be healthy and strong as them

The doctors cannot help me

Over the years have found no cure

How I long to be well again

Without this source of constant affliction

With me wherever I go

This shadow of fear that follows me –

Others have died

Will I die too?

Who is this man I am hearing of? –This Jesus

Who heals all who come to Him.

What magic powers does He have, what miracle cure?

Does He know more than the doctors?

It’s worth a try, I am desperate enough to try anything

Maybe He is the answer

There He is in the crowd, why look at them, swarming

Like bees to the honey-pot

I won’t even have a chance to ask Him

Maybe – this power that He has, if I just touched Him,

Just on the hem of his robe, so He won’t know

Just touch Him, quickly and run away

What power is this? For I know

After all these years

I can scarcely dare to believe it

My sorrow is no more

It's turned to joy!

I am whole!
I am free!

What power is this?

“Who touched me?”

He is looking around and his eyes are on me

He sees me

Oh, those eyes

Jesus’ eyes

His face – like a king!

Who am I, that I should steal His power?

Yet he sees me

He knows me

Knows my secret shame

Jesus’ smile

Is flooding my heart with light

I thought the greatest gift would be

The end of suffering

But now I know it is to be

The beginning of knowing Him

His smile, his voice,

Like that of no one else

This man, this king this …God

I touched the hem of his garment

And then I saw His face.                             

copyright Josephine Collett March 2008

The account of the woman who touched Jesus' garment is told in the Bible books of  Matthew chapter 9,  Mark chapter 5 and Luke chapter 8.