Jesus Turned

Matthew 9:22 (KJV) - But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

 In the midst of a crowd that was thronging Jesus this woman made Him stop and turn around. There were people shouting and jostling all around but this little lady managed to get Jesus’ full attention. What was it about her that day that made The Lord address her need? Well, have you ever heard someone say “Actions speak louder than words.”? She had made up her mind that Jesus was the answer. She sought Him with all her strength until she was able to touch Him. Pressing through the crowd she reached out and touched the hem of his garment.

The Hebrew word for hem is “tallit”. It was a series of four embroideries or what we might call tassels these represented the name of God and His commandments. The Hem of the garment came to represent a man's status or authority in Jewish culture. In Matthew 23:5 Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for enlarging their fringes thereby attempting to enlarge their importance and authority. When Elijah was taken up into Heaven, Elisha was given Elijah’s mantel. This was most likely his “tallit”. Malachi said that “the Sun of Righteousness” would “arise with healing in his wings” (Mal. 4:2) The word “wings” is the same as the word “borders” in Number 15:38 referring to the “tallit”.

This woman did not reach for the hem of his garment by accident. She was touching the name of God and invoking the authority in the name of Jesus. By faith she was touching The Living Word! With all that was in her she was crying out “I Believe In God! I Believe in His Word!” That is what will make the King of Kings stop and turn around. You just got His undivided attention.