The Power of One Touch

Luke 8:43–48

I’ve preached this passage many times, but I feel the Holy Spirit is prompting me to share about it here, at this moment.

Have you ever been in a place where you weren’t supposed to be, or touched something you weren’t supposed to touch? That’s exactly what happened in Luke 8. Scripture tells us about a woman who had been bleeding for twelve long years. Scripture also tells us that no one could heal her (man could do nothing for her).  Therefore, her condition remained unchanged.  According to the law of her day, she was considered unclean. She wasn’t supposed to be in public, and she definitely wasn’t supposed to touch anyone, especially not Jesus.

But desperation has a way of pushing you past boundaries that fear tries to keep in place. Deep inside, she must have known, “If only I could touch the edge of His cloak, if only I could touch the hem of His garment, I will be healed.” She didn’t wait for permission or affirmation. She pushed her way through the crowd and simply reached, believing that one touch could change everything. And it did.

The moment her trembling hand touched the edge of His cloak, power flowed. Jesus stopped and asked, “Who touched Me?” Though the crowd pressed all around Him, He felt power leave His body. The disciples were confused, but Jesus knew when faith made contact. He felt the pull of expectation. And in that instant, the woman who had lived twelve years in pain, shame, and isolation was completely restored.

That’s what faith does. It moves the heart of God. It touches heaven. Faith isn’t passive; it presses through opposition. It dares to believe that one encounter can break the cycle of years.

There are seasons when even the strongest among us feel the weight of life pressing down. You can be serving faithfully, showing up for others, doing all the “right” things, and still feel like the joy has quietly slipped away. For some, it’s the silent battle of discouragement. For others, it’s the heaviness that settles after loss, disappointment, or simply feeling unseen. You smile on the outside, but inside you’re fighting just to breathe again.

It’s in those moments that the enemy whispers his lies: You’ve missed your chance. Things will never change. 

But that’s not the voice of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God speaks life, not limitation. He reminds you that it’s not over, that His promises still stand, and that hope is not lost. So quiet every other voice and tune your heart to His.

It may not happen overnight, but it’s real. As you worship through the weight, pray through the pain, and stand on the Word of God even when you can’t see the outcome, something begins to shift. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead begins to breathe life where heaviness once lived. The weight you carried starts to lift. The heart softens. Peace starts to settle where anxiety once ruled.

That’s the power of His presence. Things that once tried to keep us bound begin to loosen.  Not because we are strong enough to fix ourselves, but because we dared to reach. Like the woman with the issue of blood, when you reach out in weakness, His strength meets you there.

Maybe that’s where you are right now, pressing, wondering if heaven hears you. Heaven not only hears your cry, but heaven also feels your reach. Jesus knows the difference between a casual touch and a cry of faith. And one touch from Him can do what years of striving never could. Reach again. His power still flows. His presence still heals.

Hear me in the Spirit: You can be in the crowd and never encounter Jesus.  You can be close to Him and still miss Him if you never reach with expectation.  The woman didn’t wait for an open door or perfect timing. Allow me to encourage you, “Push your way through the crowd; get to Jesus!”

She pressed her way through, quietly but courageously, completely convinced that one touch would change everything.  And it did.

That same power is still flowing today. The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is alive in you and me. Healing still happens. Deliverance still happens. Peace still flows from the hem of His garment. When the presence of Jesus fills the room, strongholds have no choice but to break.

“If you will reach, He will respond.”

You may feel like you’re in a place you don’t belong, or that your faith has been too weak to matter, but I believe the Lord is saying, “Reach again.” Reach past the fear. Reach past the shame. Reach past the opinions of others. Reach until you touch the hem of His presence. Because the very place you’re standing might very well be the place Jesus intended to meet you.

The enemy loves to build his strongholds on hidden lies, old wounds, and fears that run deep. He tries to convince you that your situation will never change.  But the truth is, when faith reaches, the Spirit moves beneath the surface. The Holy Spirit doesn’t just deal with what’s visible; He goes deep, shaking loose what once felt unshakable.

The woman’s reach didn’t just stop her bleeding; it broke something spiritual. It silenced shame. It destroyed the lie that she was unworthy of love, healing, or restoration. And that same Spirit, the same power that met her in the crowd, is reaching for you right now. He’s breaking cycles, healing what’s been hidden, and calling you into freedom you thought you’d never see. So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed! 

When faith reaches, power flows. When faith touches, healing manifests. When faith moves, heaven stops. Now is the time to reach, because one touch from Jesus changes everything.

Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that one touch from You changes everything. Today, we reach for You through the pain, through the uncertainty, through the press of life. Release Your healing power over every person reading these words. Where there is sickness, let Your power bring healing. Where there is fear, release peace. Where there is shame, restore identity. Holy Spirit, breathe fresh faith into broken hearts and remind us that You still respond to those who reach. We thank You for Your presence and Your power that flows freely when we come in faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you’ve never reached out to Jesus, or maybe you once did but drifted away, this is your moment. Jesus isn’t too busy for you. He’s not far away. He’s passing by right now, ready to stop at the sound of your faith.

Pray this from your heart:

“Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You died for my sins and rose again. Today, I reach for You in faith. Forgive me, heal me, and make me whole. I receive Your love and choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

If you’ve prayed this prayer, we celebrate with you! You’ve just made the most important decision of your life. Heaven rejoices, and so do we. Take a moment to thank God for saving you.  I encourage you to connect with a Bible-based church, grow in the Word, and be filled with the Holy Spirit, who will empower you.

Pastor Satise Roddy

Come Expecting … Leave Transformed

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