Christ's Healing Virtue.
I. The Healed. Those here noticed were evidently affected with a variety of diseases of body and mind. From the circumstances, indeed, that all the affected of the surrounding region were assembled around the Redeemer, we may justly imagine that in some the sight was quenched, that in some the hearing was destroyed, that in some the whole frame was enfeebled, and that in some the mind was laid altogether prostrate. But whatever was the variety and inveteracy of their diseases, we are assured that they were made whole. As the material frame of those who were brought to touch even the hem of the Redeemer's garment was restored to a state of the most perfect soundness, so the moral nature of those who experience spiritual renovation is healed and fitted for immortal life.
II. The Source, or Fountain, of Healing. The cure, whether it was the restoration of sight or of hearing, or active power, or the casting out of devils, was effected simply by the silent but resistless virture which passed from the Redeemer when His person or even the hem of His garment was touched. In this we have a most expressive and beautiful emblem or representation of the great fountain of moral healing essential for the diseased and sin-stricken nature of man. Spiritual soundness and strength, moral freedom and blessedness, are to be derived simply and exclusively from Him who is become the great Physician of souls, the sole Fountain of internal purity and health.
III. The Medium through which the Healing Influence was transmitted. The cures which were effected on the sons and daughters of affliction gathered around the Redeemer were secured in the employment of such means as He sanctioned and approved. It was not the idle gaze of apathy and vulgar astonishment, that looked wonderingly around when the sound of the Redeemer's fame was heard, or when His approach was announced, without any attempt to touch Him that was blessed with the healing virtue shed around His steps. No; it was the struggle to come near Him it was the touch of His person, or the hem of His robe, prompted and sustained by the conviction that He was mighty to save, that met with the benediction, "Go in peace, thy faith hath made thee whole."
Preacher's Lantern,vol. iv., p. 625.
References: Mark 6:56. J. Menzies, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xvii., p. 374; H. N. Grimley, The Temple of Humanity,p. 175; J. Keble, Sermons for Christmas and Epiphany,p. 348. Mark 6-8 Expositor,1st series, vol. viii., p. 148. Mark 7:1-8; H. M. Luckock, Footprints of the Son of Man,p. 145.Mark 7:1-23. A. B. Bruce, The Training of the Twelve,p. 79. Mark 7:1-30. W. Hanna, Our Lord's Life on Earth,p. 229. Mark 7:3. Expositor,1st series, vol. viii., p. 467. Mark 7:9-23. H. M. Luckock, Footprints of the Son of Mam,p. 151.Mark 7:19. Ibid.,vol. iii., p. 308. Mark 7:20-23. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxxii., No. 1911.Mark 7:21. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. iv., p. 225.