The Lord knew what had happened, for he could tell between the thoughtless touch of the jostling crowd, and the touch of the only one in that crowd that really knew why they were touching him, and sought to obtain his blessing. True prayer and calling on the name of the Lord is like a touch. As we reach out to him, we try to touch one who knows when we make contact with him, who can discern between those who worship him with lifeless ritual and ceremony and those who come seeking his power and are content with nothing less.
When we fail to understand what God has said, this is very often the reason for our mistake. There is a whole realm in which Christ works, which is not observed by those who do not know him. Trying to make sense of his work in the physical realm only confuses – ‘Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?’ What use is religion that focuses on the externals, when the true work of Christ takes place invisibly? Rather we should look for changes within, when the soul is made knew and the bondage of sin is broken, and the fruit of the Spirit start to come forth from the person. Many touches never actually make contact with Jesus as Lord and Saviour of souls. They only touch him externally, and no real power is communicated. There is a great different between the superstitious touch which leaves a person unchanged, and the touch of faith which brings everlasting life into the soul.