River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-07-31

SSSzxz Christ. or all the
characters in the
gospel this nameless woman is the
most touching, and her attitude
toward Jesus, his treatment of her, and
the gracious results serve as encour-
Rgement to anyone who doubts his At
ness for approach to Christ or his wor-
thiness to receive anything from
Christ
1t Is the story of a miracle by the
way. Jesus had been requested by
Jairus to come to his house and heal
his daughter. As he was going on his
way and much people followed him
and thronged him, a certain woman,
seriously Ill for twelve years, suffering
many things Of many physicians and
growing worse instead of better, came
In the crowd about Jesus and touched
the hem of his garment. She was a
great sufferer from her disease and
disappointment, and probably now she
was in despair. To her Jesus may
have been. nothing more than great
doctor who had healed many people
and of whose fame she had heard Her
great need made her forget the im-
modesty of her act, the uncleanness
OF her presence, the improbability OF
attention, and drives her to Jesus. Her
superstition was not unmixed with
faith, For she said, If l may touch
but his clothes l shall be whole"
Recognition.
Jesus noticed her touch; "And Jesus
! f,,,v fol Id
virtue had gone out of him, turned
him about in the press, and said, Who
touched my clothes?" He knows the
slightest movement of the soul toward
himself, he feels the burdens we bear,
for he Is touched with feeling of our
inirmities. Like the father In Luke
Is he goes out to meet the returning
wanderer. What an encouragement it
Is to the sinner to realize this APP
proachableness and responsiveness of
the great Savior. Sometimes we arc
In doubt about the character and love
of God, but every revelation of the ten
derness, compassion and thoughtful-
ness of Jesus Is also a revelation OF
the fact that God is like him. He
|
us be sure of that. Il waited patiently
for the Lord, and he inclined unto me
and heard my cry" Get close to Jesus
in love and faith, and touch him. His
heart and love and power will respond.
'"The healing of his seamless dress
Is by our beds of pain;
We touch him in lfe's throng and press
And we whole again."
Jesus rewards the woman, though
she had mistaken ideas about his
character and his work; but one thing
she knew-she was sick and there was
a healer; she touched him and that
brought blessing and benediction. Je-
sus did not stop to raise questions as
to her character or criticise her for
her conduct. He responded to the
weak faith and the earnest desire OF
the woman, "A@d said unto her,
Daughter, thy faith hath made thee
whole; go in peace, and be whole OF
thy plague" The story shows that
faith is personal allegiance to per-
sonal Christ. Many Of us need sim
pier ideas and teaching about saving
| faith. Christ saves, not a creed;
| Christ saves, not a church; although
creed and church are important and
must find their place in the life of the
saved sinner. The woman got more
than she asked; the experience of
every believing, loyal, trusting soul is.
my cup runneth over"
Confession.
Who touched me? Christ waits for
the answer, although the disciples said
unto him, Thou seest the multitude
thronging to thee, and sayest thou,
who touched me?" And Jesus waits
until the woman tells him all the truth
and goes away not only with healed
body but with her sins forgiven and
the affectionate approval OF Jesus.
There is a vast difference between
thronging about Christ and touching
him. the supreme thing is to get at
him. Having received blessing from
Christ 1t is our duty to make his will
Dur life and to confess him before 9TH
ers because we love him and because
we want to help others.
Has there been disease disappoint-
ment. despair in your life? Reach out
and touch Jesus. Think of his power
until you say, God can save; think Of
his love until you can say, God will
save. then the touch of faith will
bring a change-conscious, complete.
confessed. Jesus meets the peculiar
need of each soul: pardon to the peni-
tent justification to the guilty, cleans
ing to the impure. You should come
to him waiting for nothing; 80 coming
Christ will receive you. Gods mercy
Is greater than all the sins of the
world: there is salvation for you II
you will have it.
"sbe only touched the hem OF his gar
/ A.. tn his side she stole;
! Arid the crowd that gathered around
And i' ssdtraightway she was made whole.
ot touch the hem of his garment
NhHrd thou, too. shalt be free;
rzia SAYING power this very hour
shall give new life to thee"
"Au the ntness he requires
Is to feel your need OF him..
Enjoy the blessings OF this day II
God sends them, and the evils bear
patiently and sweetly. For this day
only is yours, we are dead to yester-