This fifth section of Luke’s portrayal of Jesus’ Galilean ministry continues to focus on the issue of Christ’s authority, but now the attention turns to the responses to that authority. Luke 8:4-21 shows how the Word of God reveals the way to God. The Word for Luke is the preached word of Jesus. That word can be compared to light, and those who are of Jesus’ “family” will obey it. Luke 8:22-56 reveals the extent of Jesus’ authority through a series of miracles, starting with Jesus’ control of nature and moving to demon exorcism, healing and then a resuscitation. Jesus has authority over everything.
The miracles are audiovisuals of important truths related to Jesus’ sovereignty. As important as each event is in itself, even more important is the picture involved. The overcoming of disease and death in this passage is but a foretaste of the ultimate, comprehensive overcoming of disease and death. The event points beyond itself to eternal realities, which put the limitations of this life into perspective. Such lessons are Luke’s goal in reassuring his readers about Jesus.
The drama of this scene is virtually matchless. As Jesus walks the crowd squeezes in against him, seeking to draw near to him. One person in the throng is particularly intent on getting to Jesus. This woman has been hemorrhaging for years, which means she has been in a perpetual state of uncleanliness according to Jewish law. She has been shut out from religious life, a social outcast. Various ancient remedies existed to relieve her condition, like a glass of wine mixed with rubber alum. Additional ingredients might be garden crocuses or onions. But these attempts have failed. In despair over her loneliness and condition, she hopes that an underground approach, a surreptitious touching of Jesus, will change her fate. This is why she came up behind him. Contact with his garment, either the edge or the tassels hanging from it, may bring her instant healing. Her solution works, but it brings her more than she bargained for. She is not permitted to retain secrecy. For the woman there is no sense in trying to hide from Jesus now. It never is successful to try and hide from Jesus. Trembling, she comes forward to give her public testimony of how she has been healed. Despite the embarrassment of her past condition and the timidity of her approach to Jesus, she declares what Jesus has done for her.
In response Jesus issues a simple commendation: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.” He makes her faith an example, timid as it was. The one with faith does not need to fear approaching Jesus and his authority. He is accessible and available. Both the woman’s faith and her testimony are commended in Jesus’ response. Faith trusts in God’s ability to meet our needs by his power. God honors such faith.
Father Peter Karam