I. Consider what this sufferer said within herself. (1) As displaying ignorance of the true nature of Christ. (2) As displaying not only ignorance, but error, along with truth. (3) Was her faith, then, a foolish credulity? Not at all. She knew the wonders He had wrought on others, and responded to goodness and truth. His language and demeanour expressed this, and on this convincing evidence she trusted Jesus and was healed.
II. Consider this feeling toward Christ, as finding recognition wider than the Christian Church.
III. Remember that Christ calls us, beyond slight contact, to the closest union with Himself.
Prof. Herbert, Contemporary Pulpit,vol. iv., p. 32.
Jesus Christ was never in a hurry. He had no occasion to be so, because He was conscious of supreme power, and of a capacity to do whatever He in His perfect wisdom deemed right. So that you perceive nowhere throughout the whole of these Gospels the least sign of eager anxiety, the slightest indication of personal uncertainty. He moves on His way, quiet, comparatively undisturbed, with the calmness of conscious strength. This thought is suggested, because the incident before us shows our Lord allowing Himself to be interrupted in a great work which He had undertaken to do, and yet being undisturbed by the interruption. Why should the Son of God be in haste? Can He not do as He wills? Does He not come forth from the bosom of Him of whom it is said, "A thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday when it is past, and as a watch in the night"?
Notice:
I. That the touch of the diseased woman was an expression of conscious need. Necessity, trouble, incurable sorrow bring us to the Great Healer in some way or other.
II. The touch was an expression of superstition and faith. There was surely something of a vague belief that any kind of contact with Christ would bring her blessing. The incident suggests an inquiry as to what kind of faith and how much Faith is necessary to bring us into contact with Christ. That some faith is essential is clear; for had she not asked, the probability is the woman would not have received healing. But the fact of her healing shows how the least faith, the smallest effort of belief, may bring a response from Christ. We may learn that the first and chief thing for our soul's need is contact with Christ, and that attained, we shall find that from the spiritual touch of the Saviour we gain forgiveness and newness of life. From Him virtue passes into our souls, and faith deepens and strengthens into perfect confidence and rest.
W. Braden, Sermons,p. 183.
I. How many evils sin has brought into the world. The seeds of sin are lying dormant in our souls, and even when brought into God's family, and made His children by adoption and grace, we still unite in the mortifying confession, "There is no health in us."
II. Another reflection drawn from the history is, that we are too much disposed to seek human help, instead of going directly to God.
III. However deep-seated and desperate the condition of the soul's health, the Saviour can help us.
IV. Note the secrecy with which the afflicted woman sought help of Jesus. "Nor is her wish for secrecy unbelief, but simply humility humility, accompanied with such faith in Him that she feels assured that a touch of His raiment will suffice."
J. N. Norton, Golden Truths,p. 475.
Faith's Approach to Christ.
1. Faith comes with a deep despair of all other help but Christ's.
2. Faith has a divine power to discover Christ.
3. Faith comes with an implicit trust in Christ.
4. Faith seeks, for its comfort, close contact with Christ.
5. Faith, with all its imperfections, is accepted by Christ.
6. Faith feels a change from the touch of Christ.
J. Ker, Sermons,p. 186.
References: Matthew 9:21. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxx., No. 1809; J. E. Vaux, Sermon Notes,2nd series, p. 48; T. M. Herbert, Sketches of Sermons,p. 40. Matthew 9:23; Matthew 9:24. Preacher's Monthly,vol. iii., p. 251; S. Baring-Gould, Village Preaching for a Year,vol. ii., p. 246. Matthew 9:23-25. F. W. Robertson, Sermons,2nd series, p. 30. Matthew 9:25. J. M. Neale, Sermons for the Church Year,vol. ii., p. 8. Matthew 9:27-30. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xxiii., No. 1355; vol. xxvi., No. 560. Matthew 9:27-31. Parker, Inner Life of Christ,vol. ii., p. 97; G. Macdonald, Miracles of Our Lord,p. 101.Matthew 9:28. W. F. Hook, Sermons on the Miracles,vol. i., p. 288. Matthew 9:29. W. Gresley, Practical Sermons,p. 61.Matthew 9:30. Archbishop Benson, Christian World Pulpit,vol. xxvii., p. 81.Matthew 9:32; Matthew 9:35. Parker, Inner Life of Christ,vol. ii., p. 106. Matthew 9:33. W. F. Hook, Sermons on the Miracles,vol. i., p. 306.