Healed Them All

“And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; and they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all” (Luke 6:17-19).

What a lovely scene must this have been! It is redolent of the grace of Christ. Divine fullness meets all kinds of human misery, and absolutely delivers from Satan’s power. The heart loves to dwell on such a picture. Read it again: “The whole multitude sought to touch him for there went virtue out of him, and healed them all.” Not one went away unblessed. Such is ever the way of Christ and the effect of the touch of faith.

During the past summer this passage of Scripture has been much before my mind in bright contrast with that which daily met my eyes at Neuenahr, a pleasant spa in Germany, whose agreeable waters have high renown for curative power in many a malady, as I personally proved. In a large and beautifully shaded park stood a lofty and spacious drinking hall, whence arose the crystal waters to which—glass in hand—all repaired who sought their healing virtues. Over the entrance in bold characters was the inscription—

“SALUTI ET SOLATIO ÆGRORUM.”

This cheerful welcome—which may be translated, “For the health and comfort of the sick”—was doubtless well intentioned by the owners of the springs, and gave heart of courage to the thousands of sufferers who—having paid for the privilege—sedulously drank in hope of cure. They had come from all quarters of the globe. A strange medley of tongues fell on the ear. More varied still were the maladies they hoped to be cured of, and as, day by day, I watched them, and saw in many a case that after days and weeks of steady use of the waters, hope gave place to chagrin, as no healing took place, the “healed them all” of Luke 6 came again and again to mind.

One could not but contrast the eager desire that men manifest to have the body healed, and the pains and expense they will incur to gain this end, with the widespread apathy that, alas! exists in regard of the soul and its diseases.

Reader, what about your soul? Say, have you yet gone to the One and only spring of healing for its maladies? Are you a sin-sick person? has your condition, as a sinner in the sight of God, ever troubled you? It well may, for though sin certainly has pleasures, it has penalties too—penalties that are eternal. “The pleasures of sin” are but for “a season,” and though you “enjoy” that season (see Heb. 11:24-26), do not forget that you must endure the penalties for eternity.

This makes the matter of the healing of the soul deeply serious, and important beyond all comparison. In view of this the gospel addresses you with tidings of Christ that may well win your confidence. When He was here on earth we see what took place. Multitudes were blessed by Him. Then He healed the body, today He is the great soul-healer.

Notice what took place in Luke 6, “A great multitude . . . came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases . . . and they were healed.” How did it happen? Observe and imitate the needy crowd who came to Him. “The whole multitude sought to touch him; for there went virtue out of him and HEALED THEM ALL” No disappointed one was to be seen in that host. Jesus never failed the heart that trusted Him. The touch of faith then always secured the needed blessing, for “there went virtue out of him and healed them all.”

But has He changed since that day? Not one whit; and all who trust Him today find that “virtue” still flows, and “healing” still is tasted.

Have you ever noticed, my reader, the way the Spirit of God applies this “healing” to the soul? Listen. “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls” (1 Pet. 2:24-25).

The way Jesus saves sinners is very simple. On the cross He “bare our sins.” There He took the stripes they deserved, and demanded at God’s righteous hand. God being glorified, and sins put away, the One who did this wondrous work has been raised from the dead, and is set down in glory. The Holy Ghost has come down from an exalted Christ to turn the sinner’s eye to Him. The moment you trust Him, or in faith touch Him, virtue flows from Him, and you learn the sweet truth “by whose stripes ye were healed.”

None of those who touched the blessed Lord in Luke 6 had any doubt as to their cure. He healed them. His work was perfect, His cures effectual and abiding. How could they doubt? Why then should you—if you trust Him—any longer doubt the forgiveness of your sins? Away with all doubt. Give Christ the credit and the thanks He deserves. Then live for the One who has died for you.

W.T.P.Wolston

The Gospel Messenger 1903, p. 239