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Bible Notes - Tabernacle Commentaries
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Mark 5:30
Comments
Among the many people in the crowd who were thronging him and coming into physical contact with him, the Lord Jesus detected a touch that was different. This was a touch that he truly regarded as a touch, for it did not touch him as a mere man, but it touched him as the Christ, the Saviour of the world; it touched him with understanding and in order to obtain a blessing from him – it was a believing touch. Jesus knew that virtue had gone out of him. Some sense within his divine person, which is not explained to us, was aware of this. Virtue had gone out – force or power in the Greek – healing virtue to do good to this woman, and he turned around to see her. ‘Who touched my clothes?’ Why did he ask this question? So that the woman could be assured that he had healed her willingly and was pleased to bless her. He did not resent this touch but approved of what she had done, as he always approves of faith. He was happy to heal – his Father had sent him to bind up the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1). But he asked her to declare herself in order to establish a personal union with her. He taught her that salvation is personal. She must also speak publicly of the good that the Lord had done for her and not keep it secret. It was done also for the disciple’s sake, and for the sake of the crowd and particularly for Jairus’ sake. Though many of the works of God are known only to a few in this world, they will all be published in eternity as a cause of rejoicing and praise. But when Jairus saw this, it would give him hope for his own daughter, even en route – Christ could indeed heal. Jesus’ enquiry as to who had touched him told her immediately that she had been detected. However puzzling the disciples found this question, she knew exactly what he meant. She knew her touch was not like the touch of any other person in that crowd. It was impossible for her to take such a great blessing and for him not to know, but he was not going to let her remain a secret disciple, receiving unacknowledged blessings. It would be for her benefit, as well as for the record. She knew her touch had succeeded in obtain the blessing she sought, and now she realised that this blessing must be acknowledged. God blesses us so that we may thank him and praise him.
Application
The Lord does not treat this as an inconvenience. There is never an inconvenient time for us to approach him. He can handle our case whenever we come, and all that matters is that we approach him in the right spirit and in faith. His ear is ever open to our cries.
There are many circumstances in life in which we say, if only I had something, someone to rely on. Some don’t understand faith. To them it seems hard. They seem to wait for the power of faith to pop up inside them, but faith is not like this; it is coming and resting on Christ. It is easy – ‘I believe in Christ. If I come to him, he will bless me.’
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Introduction