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Touch of Faith
37
The grateful woman desired to thank 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, then, looking
around, asked, “Who touched Me?”
Looking at Him in amazement, Peter answered, “‘Master, the
multitudes throng You and press You, and You say, “Who touched
Me?”’”
Luke 8:45
.
“‘Somebody touched Me,’” Jesus said, “‘for I perceived power
going out from Me.’”
Verse 46
. He could distinguish the touch of
faith from the casual touch of the careless crowd. Someone had
touched Him with a deep purpose and had received an answer.
Christ had not asked 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 and to show that it was
faith that had brought the healing power. The woman’s trust must
not be passed by without comment. God must be glorified by the
woman’s grateful confession. Christ desired her to understand that
He approved her act of faith. He would not have her leave with a half
blessing only. She must not remain ignorant of His compassionate
love and of His approval of her faith in His power to save to the
uttermost all who come to Him.
Looking toward the woman, Christ insisted on knowing who had
touched Him. Finding concealment impossible, she came forward
trembling, and cast herself at His feet. With grateful tears, before
all the people she told Him why she had touched His garment and
how she had been healed immediately. She feared that it had been
presumptuous of her to touch His garment, 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 cheer; your faith has
made you well. Go in peace.’”
Verse 48
. How happy these words
made her! Now no fear that she had offended Jesus embittered her
joy.
To the curious crowd pressing about Jesus no vital power was im-
parted. But the suffering woman who touched Him in faith received
healing. So in spiritual things the casual contact differs from the
touch of faith. To believe in Christ merely as the Savior of the world