[A desperate and lonely woman who had been ill for years came to Jesus for healing after spending all her money on doctors who could not help her.] She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."
— Matthew 9:21
The woman who said this to herself knew ostracism and loneliness because of her twelve-year bout with an illness that made her unclean under Jewish law. Her condition imprisoned her and made her life nearly unlivable socially, physically, and religiously.
Just as Jesus freed her from her prison (vs. 22), he also longs to free you from yours. What holds you captive? Jesus longs to give you freedom through at least five gifts:
- The Scriptures to help you know God's will and protect yourself from harm.
- Your surrender to his lordship as you let him lead you.
- Your cleansing from sin, guilt, and shame.
- The gift of the Holy Spirit to empower you, help you overcome sin, and become more like Jesus.
- His family of brothers and sisters to support you, encourage you, help you, and hold you accountable to your commitment to him.
These are five of God's precious keys to freedom. So, dear friend, in your heart, "touch his cloak" by reaching out to him, confessing him as your Savior, and honoring him as your
Lord.
Father, I pray today for all those who need deliverance from the evil one's grip in whatever form he has in their lives. I confidently pray in Jesus' mighty and holy name, asking that you, the Lord of all creation, to break the bonds that hold each of our readers captive to the evil one. Amen
![Illustration of Matthew 9:21 — [A desperate and lonely woman who had been ill for years came to Jesus for healing after spending all her money on doctors who could not help her.] She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."](https://img.heartlight.org/overlazy/creations/3377.jpg "Illustration of Matthew 9:21 — [A desperate and lonely woman who had been ill for years came to Jesus for healing after spending all her money on doctors who could not help her.] She said to herself, \"If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.\"")
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