The sympathy of Jesus was as wonderful as his power. He felt for all who applied to him, and exerted his power on their behalf. Once a poor woman came who was deeply afflicted, she had suffered long, and had spent her all looking for a cure — but had failed. Poor, afflicted, and sorely tried, she came to Jesus. She had strong faith in him, she was persuaded that if she could but touch him — she would be healed by coming in contact with him. She touched him, and she was well. But he would have her acknowledge him, and bestow his commendation upon her — and therefore he brought her before him to confess the truth. When she had done so, "He said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort; your faith has made you whole; go in peace." Luke 8:48 Let us look at these words a little, and notice

HER CHARACTER. She was afflicted — deeply afflicted — she had been so for twelve years.

She was poor, for in trying all the means, she had spent all her property.

She was timid, and therefore she did not face the Savior — but came behind him — she did not come boldly asking for a cure — but stooping down behind him, touched the hem of his garment.

She was determined, and therefore feeble and suffering as she was, she forced her way through the crowd, nor rested until she touched his garment.

She had faith, for she was fully persuaded that Jesus could heal her, and that contact even with his clothes could heal her.

See here the picture of a soul taught of God . . .
suffering from the disease of sin,
impoverished to the last degree,
having tried all means in vain,
timid yet determined, she forces its way into the presence of Jesus — she has an inward persuasion that Jesus can save, and a humble hope that he will. Such always succeed. Such salvation is certain. Nothing can keep them from Jesus Christ, and nothing shall prevent Jesus conferring salvation upon them.

HER COMMENDATION. "Daughter." Blessed relationship, Jesus owns her for his child, and treats her as such! He was her Father . . .
to whom she may come,
with whom she may make free,
from whom she may expect great things,
and in whom she may rejoice.

Let us come to Jesus as to a father, a father who loves us, and wishes us to be much with him; so shall we come boldly, with confidence, full of expectation, and so be filled with joy.

"Be of good comfort." Be not afraid. Do not be troubled. I am not angry. Tremble not. Be cheerful. Rejoice. I am pleased — well pleased with you. Take comfort, child, your Father approves your conduct, the Savior loves you well. "Your faith has made you whole."

Here was faith in Christ . . .
faith that brought her to Christ,
faith that received from Christ,
faith that acknowledged Christ.

These are the marks of true faith, always and everywhere. Faith . . .
persuades us of the ability of Christ,
leads us to test the willingness of Christ,
obtains pardon, peace, and everlasting salvation from Christ.

She was made whole, not by paying physicians, not by weeping or suffering, not even by walking in the way to Christ — but by faith bringing her into contact with Christ. Just so when we lay hold on Christ, even if it were only by the fringe of his robe, it brings spiritual health, pardon, freedom, and all we need into our possession.

"Go in peace," said Jesus.

Go home peacefully as well as healthy.

Go and attend to home duties, and enjoy home comforts.

Go and tell of mercy received.

Go and bear witness for me.

Just so Jesus speaks to us. He wishes us to be peaceful, dutiful, happy, and useful. Being saved ourselves, and saved by simply coming to Jesus; he would have us seek the salvation of others, by directing or bringing them to him.

See, what poor, diseased, sin-sick souls, should do — come to Jesus. Many will not come to Jesus until they have tried every other means — this is folly. Nevertheless, Jesus receives those whom no one else can help — those who have spent their all upon physicians, and are brought to despair of help from any other quarter.

See, what all poor sinners will receive when they come to Jesus: healing — or the very thing they need and which they have long sought in vain from other quarters — and this they receive in on moment. Full of disease, she touched him and instantaneously she was made perfectly whole. So the sinner, wholly lost, hopelessly lost as to sense and reason, comes to Christ, and the moment he believes, she was . . .
perfectly justified,
sensibly reconciled to God, and
saved with an everlasting salvation.

See, to what poor sinners are raised when they come to Jesus — sons and daughter of the Lord God Almighty. "You are all children of God by faith in Jesus Christ. It is, "Son, your sins are forgiven you. "Daughter, go in peace."

See, also what poor sinners are rewarded, who believe in Jesus, they are sent home healthy and happy. "Be of good comfort, your faith has mad you whole, go in peace." O blessed power of faith! O glorious condescension of th Savior!

Reader, have you done as this poor woman did? If you had felt your moral malady as she did her physical malady — you would have done so. But, until you feel yourself utterly lost as a law-breaker, you will never go to Jesus, imploring him to become your Savior.

 

Grace and its Effects

James Smith, 1860

Grace is always a sweet sound to a spiritual mind, and the longer we live, the sweeter and more pleasant the sound of grace is to us. We love to hear of grace.

We love to sing of grace.

We love to think of grace.

We love, most of all, to feel grace working in our hearts.

We admire grace in God — and we enjoy grace in ourselves. Grace is natural to God — but it is communicated to us. Grace is . . .
the parent of benevolence,
the source from whence every good thing flows to man,
and the cause of all the good that is done by man.

But for grace in God, we had all been lost — but for grace given to us, we had all been useless and unlovely. Grace always brings a host of blessings in its train, and works wonders in every heart.

Grace in God prompted him to think of saving man, and set his wisdom to work to devise the way. Grace called the eternal council, in which it was determined to save sinners; and grace formed the covenant, in which all the details of our salvation were arranged. Grace prompted God to give his only begotten Son — give him to be born a man, suffer and die for the sinner. Jesus is the gift of grace, and when he came into our world, he was full of grace and truth. Grace prompted God to work in us, by which work our nature is changed, and our souls are prepared for glory.

Grace in God, produced the most wonderful thoughts. Grace flowing from God, brought into our world the most wonderful gift. Grace given to us of God, produces in us the most wonderful change. O what wonders are ascribed to grace!

Grace in us prompts us to think about salvation. It shows us . . .
the need of it,
fills on thoughts with it,
fixes our desires on it, and
will not let our souls rest short of it.

We are saved by grace. Grace in God provides for our salvation; and grace in us, disposes us to seek salvation in God's way, and to accept salvation on God's terms. Grace in us prompts us to give our hearts to God. Grace in God, disposed him to give us the greatest gift he could; and grace in us, disposes us to give the greatest and best thing we have to him. Grace in us disposes us to work for God. When grace works powerfully in us. we are willing to do anything we can to glorify God — nor only so — but also to suffer anything that will bring honor to his name.

Every good thing we think,
every good purpose we form,
every good thing we give,
and every good work we do—
is the effect of grace prompting, disposing, and enabling us.

As grace in God . . .
set him thinking about saving us,
disposed him to give his Son to save us, and
to send his Holy Spirit to work in us to will and to do of his own good pleasure — so grace in us . . .
set us thinking about salvation,
disposed us to give our hearts to God,
and to go and work in his vineyard.

In reference to God therefore, salvation is of grace; and in reference to us also, salvation is of grace. Salvation . . .
began in grace,
is carried on by grace, and
it will be completed by grace.

Salvation . . .
illustrates grace,
displays the beauty and power of grace,
and is to the praise of the glory of grace.

Blessed be God, for the grace that is in himself, and that has been so wondrously displayed by him! And, blessed be God for the grace which is in us, which was his gift, flowing through his Son, and communicated by his Holy Spirit. All glory, all honor, all praise to the glorious grace of God!