Matthew 9:18-26: The Tassels on our Cloaks
Sunday, October 5, 2025
In this reading we have a clear sense of the kind of excitement Jesus creates and the energy that moves through him. We see this healing power as something beyond our own selves, something we see or watch and even thrill in but never expect to experience much less wield on our own. Too many times we regard miracles as myth or fantasy, stories that people pass along to one another like little worry dolls that lessen anxiety. And too often we close our eyes to the miracles that happen before us or worse, we declaim them as the result of science or coincidence. We miss the powerful and life-changing truth brought home to us in today’s Noontime: Miracles happen to and for and in us every day. And they have the power to heal others – not only ourselves – as they pass through us.
In this portion of Matthew’s Gospel we see Jesus immersed in a throng of people. Some of them are merely curious about this Jewish teacher; others distrust him and look for tidbits of information to sell to his enemies. And still others are desperate for Jesus’ healing touch like the woman suffering hemorrhages or the synagogue official. They believe so honestly and deeply that they dare to approach him with their request. Mark’s version of this same story elucidates for us (5:21-43). The woman suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all she had searching for a cure. She reaches to touch only the tassel of Jesus’ cloak, and Jesus is aware that the power has gone out of him. A miracle has taken place. When she is called forth, the woman approaches in fear and trembling, and Jesus explains: Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace and be cured of your affliction. Commentary tells us that Mosaic Law prescribed tassels to be worn on the corners of cloaks as reminders of fidelity to that law and we might wonder: Is it possible that a single touch of the tassel dangling from Jesus’ cloak is enough to heal this woman? Can it be that her belief in the possibility of a miracle opens her to receive the power emanating from Christ? Might we be as open to this possibility or are we more doubting than believing?
The official Jairus also puts aside his fear to ask Jesus’ help. He dares to approach the man condemned by many in his community on the chance that his daughter might be brought back to him. Do not be afraid, Jesus says when word arrives that the child has died. Just have faith. Do we dare to go against the pressures of society to believe that there is more to healing than science? Do we have the courage to publicly ask help of the one who is so powerful that even the tassel on his cloak transmits this incredible curing gift? Might we be as bold in our belief, or are we more fearful than fearless?
The intertwined stories of this high official and the Canaanite woman speak to us clearly, but we must be as open and as bold as these two believers. From the highest to the humblest, we are all so valued by Jesus that he will heal us. From the strongest to the weakest, we are all so precious to Jesus that the simple touch of his cloak will heal us. From the prominent to the insignificant, we are all so loved by Jesus that he wants to bring us back from the death of disbelief to a life in faith with him. And how marvelous it might be if rather than hoard up these special favors we might share them with others as signs of our belief as tassels on our cloaks.
And so we pray . . .
Powerful yet tender Jesus, we know that our lives are intertwined with yours like the warp and weft of the interlocking threads in your miraculous cloak. We ask boldly yet humbly for the marvelous, life-giving and sustaining gift of your miracles. Help us to knit these miracles so powerfully into our lives that our own cloaks emanate your healing touch. Remind us to wear these miracles you grant us like tassels on our cloaks so that we might share the good news that each of us is free to reach out to you each day, and that you are eager to come into our homes and hearts.
Keep us ever open. Keep us constantly bold. And remain with us always as we struggle to believe in you. Amen.
A re-post from September 10, 2011.
Images from: http://pastorfergus.wordpress.com/ and https://fineartamerica.com/featured/jesus-christ-raising-daughter-of-jairus-carl-bloch.html
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