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Touch of Faith Brings Healing
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Instantly, a tremor passed through the unconscious form. The
eyes opened widely as if from sleep, and the young girl looked with
amazement at the group beside her. She got up, and her parents
embraced her and wept for joy.
On the way to the ruler’s house, Jesus had met a poor woman
who had suffered for twelve years from a disease that made her life
a burden. She had spent all her money on physicians and medicines,
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only to be told that she was incurable. But her hopes revived when
she heard of Christ. If she could only go to Him, she would be
healed. In weakness and suffering, she came to the seaside where
He was teaching and tried to press through the crowd, but without
success. She followed Him from the house of Levi-Matthew, but
still she was unable to reach Him. She had begun to give up hope
when He came near where she was.
She was in the presence of the Great Physician! But in the
confusion, she could not speak to Him or catch more than a quick
glimpse of Him. Afraid that she might lose her one chance of relief,
she pushed forward, saying to herself, “If only I may touch His
clothes, I shall be made well.” As He was passing by, she reached
forward and succeeded in barely touching the border of His garment.
In that one touch was concentrated the faith of her life, and instantly
her pain and feebleness gave way to the vigor of perfect health.
With a grateful heart she tried to slip out of the crowd, but sud-
denly Jesus stopped. Looking around, He asked in a voice that
everyone could hear above the confusion, “Who touched Me?” Jos-
tled on all sides as He was, it seemed a strange question.
Peter, always ready to speak, said, “Master, the multitudes throng
You and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” Jesus an-
swered, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out
from Me.” The Savior could distinguish the touch of faith from the
casual contact of the careless crowd. Such trust should not go by
without comment. He would speak words of comfort to the humble
woman, words that would be a blessing to His followers to the close
of time.
Looking toward the woman, Jesus insisted on knowing who had
touched Him. Finding that she could not hide, she came forward,
trembling. With grateful tears she told of her suffering and how
she had found relief. Jesus said, “Daughter, ... your faith has made