TOUCHING THE HEM

By Philip Johnson March 7, 2011 There is a command concerning clothes that was given in the Law of Moses that has interesting implications throughout the rest of scripture. And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes [tassels] in the borders [hems] of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribband of blue (Num. 15:37, 38). The long flowing robes, the outer coats, and the prayer shawls that covered the heads of the Israelites were to have these blue tassels sewn into their hems. The blue color would remind them of the sky and the heavens. They were a special, chosen people (Deut. 7:7,8) and when they looked on the tassels, they would remember all the commandments of the Lord, and do them (Num. 15:39). Fast-forward 1500 years to the life of Christ when He was walking in a large crowd of people who were pressing very close to Him. A certain woman was in the crowd who had been sick for twelve years and had been unable to get help from physicians. When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague (Mark 5:27-29). Lukes account reads And a womancame behind Him, and touched the border of His garment (Luke 8:43a, 44). This agrees with Matthew 9:20, A womancame behind Him, and touched the hem of His garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole. There are other examples of individuals desiring to touch the border of our Lords garment. And whithersoever He entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought Him that they might touch if it were but the border of His garment: and as many as touched Him were made whole (Mark 6:56). And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased; And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole (Matt. 14:35,36). Why did that sick woman and many other people want to touch the border of the Lords garment? Why not touch His hand or His face or His arm? Notice the words of the prophet Malachi, But unto you that

fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings (Mal. 4:2a). The Hebrew word for wings is the same word for borders used in Numbers 15. The Sun of righteousness was the Jewish Messiah who was promised to come and He would have the ability to heal those who were sick just by touching the borders of His garment. This woman in Mark 5 and Matt. 9 believed that Christ was the Messiah because she knew that all she needed to do was touch the Messiahs border and she would be healed. Do you believe as well that Jesus Christ is the Messiah that has already come with healing in His wings? Not only did he heal those who were sick with diseases but he has provided salvation to all those who will accept Him as their Savior. Peter walked and talked with Jesus and he said Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:10,12).

Ive Touched the Hem of His Garment In faith she touched the hem of His garment As to His side she stole, Amid the crowd that gathered around Him, And straightway she was whole. Refrain: Ive touched the hem of His garment, And now I, too, am free; His healing powr this very hour Gives life and health to me. She She She The came with fear and trembling before Him knew her Lord had come; felt that from Him virtue had healed her, mighty deed was done.

He turned with, Daughter, be of good comfort, Thy faith hath made thee whole, And peace which passeth all understanding

With gladness filled her soul. George F. Root