(Matt. 9. Mark 5. Luke 8)
CHRIST Himself is the only source of life and blessedness to the soul of man. "He that hath the Son hath life." (1 John 5:1212He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. (1 John 5:12).)
Outside of Christ, apart from Him, there is no eternal life for the soul. "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son." (1 John 5:1111And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. (1 John 5:11).) He is the fountain, and faith refers to Him. There must be personal connection, by faith, between the dead sinner and the living Saviour. There is no life without it. It may be only the hem of His garment that is touched, but it must be touched in faith, and this touch of faith brings immediate' eternal life to the soul.
The multitude thronged Jesus, and pressed Him; but no heavenly virtue flowed out from Him to them. There was no action of faith in the curious crowd. It was neither faith nor felt need that brought them there. But the moment that the finger of faith touched the border of His garment, “Jesus said, Somebody hath touched Me, for I perceive that virtue is gone out of Me. And when the woman saw that she could not be hid, she came trembling, and falling down before Him, she declared unto Him, before all the people, for what cause she had touched Him, and how she was healed IMMEDIATELY. And He said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace."
This is the Lord's gracious and kindly way with every sinner that comes to Him. He immediately and perfectly meets all their need. And this woman came in the right way, namely, the way of faith. She knew that her case was utterly hopeless, except in His hands. She "had suffered Many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse." What a true picture of the sinner's bad condition! Thus she came to Jesus under a deep sense of her need, poverty, helplessness, and of the utter worthlessness of all human aid.
Every creature-resource had failed her, and every spring was dried up, except the everlasting fountain of redeeming love. And with all her unrelieved distress she came in faith, to Jesus. ".For she said within herself, If I may but touch His garment I shall be whole.”
Precious faith! And she was not disappointed. But who ever was so, that came by faith to Him? Not one! "Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37).)
And now mark, dear reader, the wondrous grace that shines in His tender words to this troubled woman. He first calls her "daughter." As much as to say, We are now intimately connected; we are kindred; of one family; one Father; one hope, and one home. "For both He that sanctifieth, and they who are sanctified, are all of one; for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren." "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" (Heb. 2:1111For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, (Hebrews 2:11); Rom. 8:3535Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? (Romans 8:35).)
Then He says to her, "Be of good comfort." Take, enjoy, all the comfort that springs from being made whole in body, and from being a child of God "by faith in Christ Jesus." (Gal. 3:2626For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26).) Oh! what a source of comfort these words are, as coming from the lips of Jesus! What a deep springing well of never-ending bliss!
He then adds, "Thy faith, hath made thee whole." Faith brings the soul to Christ, the true Physician. He only has the "balm of Gilead." He only can recover the health of the daughter of His people. (Jer 8:23.)
But how gracious of the Lord to say, "Thy faith hath made thee whole," when He Himself had done it all. Yes, but there is a deep practical truth in this. The healing virtue was in Him, but faith vas the divine way of putting her in possession of it. "The unsearchable riches of Christ are thrown open to faith; every spring of healing virtue in the Saviour opens to its touch. Faith unlocks the whole treasury of God. Christ has indeed done all the work. The great work of atonement, propitiation, redemption by blood, was assuredly accomplished on the cross, and finished there forever. But a man is not saved, he does not possess salvation, until he believes in Christ. So the great doctrine of all Scripture on this point is that we are "justified by faith." "To Him give all the prophets’ witness that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins." (Acts 10:4343To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43).)
Faith receives Christ, and unites the soul with Him who is the fountain of all blessing. No blessing is received until He is received, by faith, through the quickening power of the Holy Ghost, by means of the truth of, the gospel. The poor woman only "grew worse" until she came to Jesus. And so must every son and daughter of Adam grow worse. There is no spiritual life, health, or blessing, but in Christ Jesus. The soul must perish that has no connection with Him.
She was in the very circumstances of death when she stretched forth the hand of living faith. The connecting link between the sinner and the Saviour is faith in Him. Hence the unspeakable importance of the question, "DOST THOU BELIEVE ON THE SON OF GOD?" Forgiveness, justification, salvation, are received the moment we can answer in His presence, "Lord, I believe." (John 9:3535Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? (John 9:35).)
He concludes with "Go in peace." All is settled now, and settled forever. "Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom. 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1).)
The fountain of her disease had been dried up. When God deals with sin, He deals with' it root and branch. She had a solid ground of peace in the precious words of Jesus. Nothing more was required than His own words of sweetest grace. "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”
Oh! how full, comprehensive, and pointed they are! Nothing seems to be left out that is needed to give a soul real joy, good comfort), perfect rest, and settled peace. All may be yours, dear reader; by believing in Jesus. (Rom. 3:2626To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:26).)
The trembling sinner feareth
That God can ne'er forget;
But one full payment cleareth
His memory of all debt.
When naught beside could ease Us,
Or' set our souls at large,
Thy holy work, Lord Jesus,
Secured a full discharge.