RELIGIOUS WORLD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 53, 2 March 1907, Page 10

RELIGIOUS WORLD.

THRONGING, BUT NOT TOUCH* utg chAist; ' ; -;•■■ r 'By\REV. WALTER- iST&L&KSis 33LA., [Vicar of Christ <3nirSi,.'Crewfe. : '■ '- v ■ ■■' !l *iSgi-..r - ■. '■ "And His disciples said mrto "Him r "*Tiibu" seest tie multitude thronging Th.cc, and eayesr Tliou, '"Wno touched Me?W' Mark v<, 31. -j ■-;' ■■ All are welL acquainted -with, the incident to which these words refer. Our blessed Lord had been across to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, "where He had healed the man possessed ■ with devils. This man had published the news of his own deliverance all through that region; and so when Christ returned to the other side "we are told that much people gathered unto Him, for they were all waiting for TTi-m. .Their excitement had been raised by the earnest entreaty, too, of Jairus that Jesus would come and heal bis daughter, then at her very last gasp. The disciples and crowd follow, and it is not difficult to imagine we see the pressing and thronging about the person of the Son of Man as He passes rapidly to the Chamber of death. With some of them there are vague hopes as to what is going to follow., and many probably would find it difficult'to- give a reason for their eagerness beyond that of excited curiosity. While, then, all were thronging and jostling around Him, a certain poor woman who had a complaint of long standing, which had baffled the skill of many physicians, believing that even a touch of the dress of the Messiah would be enough, managed to edge her way. through the press to His side. She toaiehed His clothes, and straightway her faith, though imperfect in its form, yet in its essence most true, obtained "what it sought—became the channel to iier of the blessing which she desired — for no sooner had she touched the hem of His robe than "she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague." ''Who touched my clothes?" And His idisciples said unto Him: "Thou seest the multitude thronging Thee, and sayest Thou, 'Who touched lie?'" It is mufSh: the same nowadays. Many throng. They like to near about Christ. Christian services are well-attended, the ordinances of Christ are increasingly observed, books of devotion multiply, sacred pictures are prised, music that subdues the passions and awes the soul is in great preference. Yes, many throng. But do they, as did this suffering woman, touch Him with the touch, of faith and receive of His virtue? What good do you think it does us to go to church Sunday afteT Sunday; to join in the singing and the praying and the reading of God's Word if we merely do it as a matter of mere Sunday routine? What advantage .can we derive even from partaking of the. Sacrament if we have not been to Tfis Cross and there had our hearts broken into penitence and love—if, in other words, we have not the consciousness of a. want in our soul which we are ansious should be supplied. That must be at the root of all our prayers—the knowledge that we are in need of help, and that we are going to the only Person from Whom assistance to meet our want can be obtained. Moreover, our assurance is in this— that no one ever approached the mereyseat of God, feeling iis ; need > that did not experience the healing touch that brought the foil supply. We can understand this better by the use of an earthly, albeit, imperfecta antlogy. Suppose a poor person is in want of help, and goes to someone who h - as the means and the will to give aesistanee to those who are deserving. How will that needy one go and ask? Will he not go in all his penury, tell his tale of necessity, give proof of the genuineness of his ease, and humbly ask for assistance? He ■would not be likely to borrow somebody else's fine clothes, assume an easy, careless air, and ask for help in a casual, indifferent manner—because, you know, if he did he would not be likely to get it. And yet is not this what many of us are in the habit of doing Sunday after Sunday? We go dressed in a garb of righteousness which is never "worn at any other time, seldom belongs xeally to us, and which often fits very badly. We join in the prayers in a cold, indifferent manner, and our "whole bearing is very unlike that of humble suppliants at the throne of grace, as we are supposed to be. How can we expect to receive a blessing from God when we have such a very poor idea of what we really do. want? I beseech my readers to ask themselves whether in their approaches to their Maker for help they ever seriously think that they are going to Him to gain strength and refreshment for their struggle against sin—that they are going to Him for His help to enable them to fight the devil and all their spiritual enemies. Pray always remember that if this is how you have sought the presence of Christ then you would touch Him; for if you have not hitherto touched Him you may safely conclude that as yet you are only among those that throng around TTfm Do you think this poor woman surveyed in her trouble the persons of whom that crowd was composed; that she thought who was there and who was not; that she considered how they were dressed, or marked any peculiarity in their expression? No. She was engrossed with one thought; it had possession of her souL She was wrapt up and intent on how she might touch, if it were but the hem of her Saviour's garment. Let us try to learn from her how we should seek Christ, and also take encouragement that if we seek as she did, like her we shall be sure to fed. Don't think for a moment that He will not notice you. There are some people who think that they are not seen in the crowd. Such people think of the mighty affairs and interests which occupy bur Blessed Lord; they think of high heaven, with its firmament of suns, moons, and stars; they think how the vast concerns of worlds on worlds await His commands, and fancy that in this mighty administration the individual is passed over. But it is not so. In this case the Son of Man is on a mission of life and death.; the message anoureing the death of the girl has reached Bin; He is hastening to bring back her departed spirit; but on the way thither the woman's touch arrests Him; He will not allow the occasion to go unnoticed. She was already healed in body, but an act of spiritual healing still remained to be performed, and so she is made to come forward against her will and to receive the words of a parting blessing. And thero is not one who may not receive an equal attention. Only come Boeking among those who touch, not merely among those who throng, and you will find'in Ghriit what you want, and obtain, as did this v*m_ •ufferery an overflowing abundance- m. -i %&aal blessing s-iid comfort.