While
He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying,
“My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will
live.” So
Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. And suddenly, a woman
who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem
of His garment. For she said to herself, “If
only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But
Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter;
your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.
When
Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw
the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, “Make room, for
the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And
they ridiculed Him. But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her
by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went out into all that
land. (Matthew 9:18-26 NKJV)
What
is great about this story is that, under Jewish law, both woman and girl were
unqualified to be touched; they were unclean. No one was allowed to touch them,
especially not a Rabi. In the case of the bleeding woman, imagine the rejection
she must have endured for 12 years! She was not touched, she was not allowed in
the synagogue, no hugs, probably divorce, rejection. Where does she find this
faith!? Matthew 14:34-36 tells us that news were already spreading about Jesus
and the miracles He performed. People were begging to at least touch the fringe
of his robe in order to be healed.
At
the time, Jesus would have been wearing a Tallit, or prayer shawl. The Tallit
was worn by men of power and authority. It represented the presence of the Lord, the
authority of the word, the name, the grace, and the ways of God. According to Scriptures,
God gave the Israelites specific instructions (Numbers 15: 38-31) on how to
make this specific article of clothing. This is why it is so important to
understand the Jewish roots of our faith! Here are some important things you
need to understand about the Tallit:
1.
It
was a replica of the veil that was the entrance to the Holy of Holies.
2.
Matthew
6: When you enter into your closet/tent to pray/ he that dwells in the secret
place of the most High/ Elijah’s mantle, etc.
3. Made
of wool/Linen—in reference to a sacrificial lamb
4.
It
had the color Blue—illustrating the sky, indicating royalty, and the limitless
of heaven
5.
It
was worn by those in authority—like Saul’s robe—it signified anointing/power
6.
Consisted
of five knots that represented the 5 books of the Torah (Genesis, Exodus,
Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)
7.
There
were four spaces between the knots that represented God’s
name—Yeh/Ho/Vaw/Yir-eh’ (Jehovah)
8.
Altogether,
there were 613 Loops that represented 613 commandments of God’s ways
9. 1.
There
were 8 strands braided together—Eight is the number of new beginnings, or God’s
grace. There were five double knots on each of the tassels, and with one of the
fringes longer and the other coiled around the rest. Seven, eight, eleven, and thirteen
configurations after each knot totaled 39. This Hashem echoed “God is One,” or “for
us.”
10.
They
wore the tassel tied to their hands to remind them no to sin and that
they had the authority of the word, name, grace, and ways of God!
According to Mark 5:36, 41, when he head to see the dead girl, Jesus “took the damsel
by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted,
Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.” Doesn’t the Aramaic word “Talitha” remind you
of something? Tallit-ha, do you see
it? Again, it was His touch that brought her back to life, but remember: the
Tallit would have been tied to His hands in remembrance of the authority
they had because of their covenants from the word, name, grace, and ways of
God! Here is Jesus meaning, ARISE, AND, SHINE! FOR YOUR LIGHT IS UPON YOU!
Tag
along with me a little longer, according to the law of the time, Jesus would
have received 39 lashes. This is great revelation! We, who are now under new covenant,
not law, have greater power over anything that might try to hinder us. Scripture
says:
But
He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The
chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
(Isaiah
53:5, emphasis
added)
Just
like the woman with the issue of blood, we are now able to touch by faith the covenants
of God because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. By His STRIPES, we are
healed! Friends, this is the month to touch God’s
covenants by faith and to receive everything he has for us! Doesn’t that give
you great faith and hope? I am undone.
Keeping
the Word Alive,
Kent
