The Electric Touch of Faith
By Uriah Smith
THE discoveries and applications of modern science in these later days have given rise to some new and strange terms which past generations would not have understood. They have become peculiar to the present generation; thus, for instance, if one person wishes to learn something of importance from any friend, or to communicate something of importance to him, or seek some financial aid or favor from him, it is customary at the present time to say to his friend, “Wire me on these points,” or, “Call me up” on these subjects, and we will come to some understanding on the questions before us.” This illustrates our experience frequently in spiritual things; for we are permitted to “wire” heaven, and “call up” the Lord when we find ourselves in critical need of help which can come only from that source. There is an instance related in Mark 5:25-34 which illustrates how this is done. This passage relates to the case of the poor woman who ventured to touch the hem of Christ’s garment to be relieved of her infirmity. “And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing better, but rather grew worse, when she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And the disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. And the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” The answer of the disciples was very natural: “Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?” The previous statement of the woman revealed the nature of the4touch. She said, “If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.” This woman had labored under grievous infirmity for twelve years, and had spent all her living, among many physicians, and grew nothing better, but continually worse. Her case was becoming desperate; and just as soon as she heard of Jesus, she went to him. She had a definite object in view, a definite purpose to perform. On this her whole mind was centered; and just as soon as she heard of Jesus, she went to him. She joined the crowd following him; and pressing in behind, and believing in him, her whole soul intent on being healed, she reached forth her hand, without the knowledge or notice of any one, and just touched the outer fringe or tassel of his garment which was loosely thrown over his shoulders. It was not for any notoriety or display on her part, but the work was done. So easy and simple is faith. She felt in her body that the work was done. Her infirmity was removed. And that is why Jesus asked, “Who touched me?” He responded to the touch of faith. The woman, knowing that some power higher than that of earth had had something to do with her, fearing and trembling, came and fell down at Jesus’ feet, and told him the whole truth. He, of course, knew all this before; but he permitted this acknowledgment to come to the people from her own lips. Then as she had glorified him by confession, the benediction fell from his lips: “Go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.” He did not say that her act in stretching forth her finger and touching his garment had done the work; but “thy faith hath made thee whole.” Christ is waiting to say the same thing to all who are afflicted with that greatest plague that ever fell upon the human family, the plague of sin. And he is still passing among the multitudes of earth; but how many of those who need him do as the woman did when she heard of him—go to him? How many who have heard of him for ten, twenty, thirty, or forty years have done as the woman did—come to him? How many have stretched out their hand for his help? The hem of his garment is always within reach, but how few reach forth their hands to touch it! The heavens may always be “called up” by faith. It is the sense of need that leads to Jesus. This is called “one of the divine missions of affliction and sorrow, to remind us of the Lord.” Sin, if not crucified and put away, will carry us away. “Death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” There is no escaping this result. But we may come hopefully, as this woman did. Christ does not stop with any halfway work. When he forgives sin, he forgives it all. David says, he “forgiveth all thine iniquities.” John says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Christ said to his disciples, “I know that I am pressed and thronged, but there was somebody in that crowd whose touch was a prayer. It rung like a call bell in my heart.” And he answered.