The Signs of the Times
June 1, 1904
The Touch of Faith
“If I may but touch His garment, I shall be whole.” ST June 1, 1904, par. 1
It was a poor woman who spoke these words,—a woman who for twelve years had suffered from a disease that made her life a burden. She had spent all her means upon physicians and remedies, only to be pronounced incurable. But, as she heard of the great Healer, her hopes revived. She thought, “If only I could get near enough to speak to Him, I might be healed.” ST June 1, 1904, par. 2
Christ was on His way to the home of Jairus, the Jewish rabbi who had entreated Him to come and heal his daughter. The heart-broken petition, “My little daughter lieth at the point of death; I pray Thee, come and lay Thy hands on her, that she may be healed,” had touched the tender, sympathetic heart of Christ, and He had at once set out with the ruler for his home. ST June 1, 1904, par. 3
They advanced but slowly; for the crowd pressed Christ on every side. On making His way through the multitude, the Saviour came near to where the afflicted woman was standing. Again and again she had tried in vain to get near Him. Now her golden opportunity had come. She could see no way of speaking to Him. She would not seek to hinder His slow advance. But she had heard that healing came from a touch of His garments; and, fearful of losing her one chance of relief, she pressed forward, saying to herself, “If I may but touch His garment, I shall be made whole.” ST June 1, 1904, par. 4
Christ knew every thought of her mind, and He was making His way to where she stood. He realized her great need, and He was helping her to exercise faith. ST June 1, 1904, par. 5
As He was passing, she reached forward and succeeded in barely touching the border of His garment. That moment she knew that she was healed. In that one touch was concentrated the faith of her life, and instantly her pain and feebleness disappeared. Instantly she felt the thrill as of an electric current passing through every fiber of her being. There came over her a sensation of perfect health. “Straightway ... she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.” ST June 1, 1904, par. 6
She desired to express her thanks to the mighty Healer, who had done more for her in one touch than the physicians had done in twelve long years; but she dared not. With a grateful heart she tried to withdraw from the crowd. Suddenly Jesus stopped, and looking around, He asked, “Who touched Me?” Looking at Him with amazement, Peter answered, “Master, the multitude throng Thee and press Thee, and sayest Thou, Who touched Me?” “Somebody hath touched Me,” Jesus said; “for I perceive that virtue is gone out of Me.” He could distinguish the touch of faith from the casual touch of the careless throng. Some one had touched Him with a deep purpose, and had received answer. ST June 1, 1904, par. 7
Christ did not ask the question for His own information. He had a lesson for the people, for His disciples, and for the woman. He wished to inspire the afflicted with hope. He wished to show that it was faith which had brought the healing power. The woman's trust must not be passed by without comment. God must be glorified by her grateful confession. Christ desired her to understand that He approved her act of faith. He would not have her depart with a half blessing only. She was not to remain in ignorance of His knowledge of her suffering, of His compassionate love, and of His approval of her faith in His power to save to the uttermost all who come to Him. ST June 1, 1904, par. 8
Looking toward the woman, Christ insisted on knowing who had touched Him. Finding concealment vain, she came forward trembling, and cast herself at His feet. With grateful tears she told Him, before all the people, why she had touched His garment, and how she had been immediately healed. She feared that her act in touching His garment had been one of presumption, but no word of censure came from Christ's lips. He spoke only words of approval. They came from a heart of love, filled with sympathy for human woe. “Daughter,” He said gently, “be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” How cheering were these words to her. Now no fear that she had given offense imbittered her joy. ST June 1, 1904, par. 9
During all His life on this earth, from childhood to manhood, Christ sought to bring life and joy and peace to others. His days were filled with deeds of mercy and compassion. He was often weary. His human nature longed for rest. But He had little opportunity to rest. The children of sorrow and affliction thronged His steps. They would not be deterred, knowing that if they could come to where He was, they would not seek for help in vain. Had He not said, “Ask, and it shall be given unto you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you”? ST June 1, 1904, par. 10
The wondering crowd that pressed close about Christ realized no accession of vital power. But when the suffering woman put forth her hand to touch Him, believing that she would be made whole, she felt the healing virtue. So it is in spiritual things. To talk of religion in a casual way, to pray without soul-hunger and living faith, avails nothing. A nominal faith in Christ, which accepts Him only as the Saviour of the world, can never bring healing to the soul. The faith that is unto salvation is not a mere intellectual assent to the truth. He who waits for entire knowledge before he will exercise faith, can not receive blessing from God. It is not enough to believe about Christ; we must believe in Him. The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Saviour, which appropriates His merits to ourselves. Many hold faith as an opinion. Saving faith is a transaction, by which those who receive Christ join themselves in covenant relation with God. A living faith means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which the soul becomes a conquering power. ST June 1, 1904, par. 11