Luke 8:45

“And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?”

Context:To understand the significance of Luke 8:45, it is important to look at the broader context of the passage. In Luke 8:40-56, we find the account of Jesus healing a woman with a 12-year issue of bleeding and raising Jairus’ daughter from the dead.

Jesus’ question:In this verse, Jesus asks, “Who touched me?” This question may seem puzzling because the crowd was pressing around Him, and many people were physically touching Him. However, Jesus was aware that power had gone out from Him when a particular woman touched the hem of His garment.

The woman’s faith:The woman with the issue of bleeding had suffered for 12 years and spent all her resources on medical treatments without success. She believed that if she could just touch the fringe of Jesus’ garment, she would be healed (Luke 8:44). Her faith in Jesus’ healing power prompted her to reach out and touch Him, and she was instantly healed.

The disciples’ response:When Jesus asked who touched Him, the disciples were surprised. They reminded Jesus that the multitude was thronging and pressing around Him, so it seemed impossible to identify the specific person who touched Him. The disciples may not have understood the significance of the question at that moment.

Jesus’ awareness:Although the disciples were unaware, Jesus was aware that someone had touched Him with a different kind of touch-a touch of faith. He felt power going out from Him and wanted to bring attention to the woman’s faith and to minister to her specifically.

Lessons for us:

• Faith’s power:This passage highlights the power of faith. The woman’s faith in Jesus’ healing ability was so strong that it activated the power of God in her life. It teaches us that our faith in Jesus can move mountains and bring about miracles in our own lives.
• Personal touch:Jesus desires a personal connection with each individual. He is not just a distant figure in the crowd but wants to touch us on a personal level. He knows our needs and desires, and when we reach out to Him in faith, He responds to our cries.
• Importance of acknowledging God’s work:Even though the disciples were initially unaware of the woman’s touch of faith, Jesus brought attention to it. It reminds us of the importance of acknowledging and appreciating God’s work in our lives, even if others may not understand or recognize it.