Wings of blue

"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings." Malachi 4:2

"And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment." Matthew 9:20

Blue symbolizes God's perfection, it is the color of heaven. Blue (tĕkeleth) in Hebrew is derived from the word for perfection (takliyth). In Numbers 15:37 - 40, God commanded the Israelite to make fringes at the border of their garments, and to add a ribbon of blue at the ends of the fringes. This is so that they will remember Him whenever they see the blue on the fringe. Over time, the practice evolved into draping a long prayer shawl called "Tallit" with fringes at the two ends. When walking wearing the tallit, it would sway and flutter with the air flow or wind, seemingly wings of a bird, and even the wingspan of an eagle, with the fringes extending out like fingers on a hand.

In the last chapter of Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament, it portends the coming gospel, and describes Jesus Christ as the sun of righteousness with healing in His wings. Our heavenly father cares deeply about the health and welfare of His sons and daughters, and never intend sickness nor suffering upon them. The light of righteousness cast upon the dark world is to heal and not the convicting of sins. The sun descends from heaven, its wings tinged with a ribbon of blue, the color of Jesus, our eternal hope.

The woman, upon hearing of Christ, believed. When she saw him walking about, the long shawl dancing to and fro like an eagle stretching out its wings, it reminded her of this Bible verse. In her heart she believed that by just touching the blue fringe she will be healed. When Jesus felt the presence of her faith He turned around to face her and said, "Daughter, be of good comfort, your faith has made you whole."

Jesus did not see the woman's past, nor did He ask about her obedience. She needed not utter one word of confession or commitment. It was her unwavering faith -- and only by such faith -- it touched the perfection of Christ, God's very heart, and she was healed. Touching the blue in silence, her hand is held by another, the daughter is made perfect. Amen

James