Twelve long years of suffering and shame. She endured menstrual hemorrhages for over a decade, and all that they entailed: the physical toll of losing blood, the emotional distress of losing friends, and the spiritual anguish of losing faith (Matt. 9:22). And because of her condition, she was unable to have a husband or children. She was even forbidden from entering the Temple because she was deemed ritually unclean (Lev. 15:19-27). She had not asked for this kind of life, and she was running out of options and life itself—until she heard that a man named Jesus was passing through town (Mark 5:27).

She was determined to get to Him, no matter what (Luke 8:42b-43). The woman knew very little about Jesus—she had no opportunity to do so because of her law-mandated solitary confinement. The only theology she had came from hearsay and town-talk, but she resolved to act in faith on what little knowledge she possessed. “He doesn’t have to stop for me,” she must have thought, as she waded through the multitude and snuck behind Jesus to grab a tassel of His tunic. “I won’t get in His way. Perhaps if I come near enough to touch His clothes, that will be enough,” she hoped.

Twelve years of humiliation, blood loss, and spiritual despair vanished in an instant (Luke 8:44). She was right: the Master’s touch—even if it was only the fringe of His garments—was all that she needed. Although her faith in Jesus was inadequate and incomplete, she allowed it to influence her behavior. She took what little she knew about Christ, and by faith, staked everything on the sufficiency of His power. Her faith might have been insufficient and imperfect, but the Object of her faith was sufficient and perfect—and Christ rewarded her feeble faith by curing her and accepting her into His spiritual family (Mark 5:34). 

All that is necessary for one to be made spiritually whole and become a child of God is one saving touch from Jesus Christ—one reach of an all-or-nothing faith that takes hold of Christ for salvation. And like this woman, you may not know much about Jesus, but faith is acting on what you do know—even if your faith is mustard-seed-sized. After all, faith as small as a mustard seed is capable of mountain-moving, not because of the one who has faith, but because of the One who rewards it (Matt. 17:20). Certainly, all believers should strive for stronger faith, but as this healed woman would tell you, the Person in whom your faith resides is greater than the quality of your faith. Jesus deserves unwavering faith, but He can work with faith which is frail and flawed—just ask the woman who touched His garments, although she barely knew Him.

This column is from 40 Days with Jesus, my 40-day devotional on Christ’s life, teachings, and miracles, available for purchase on Amazon: