The miracles of Jesus - Classical Christian Literature by Athleo.net

OF CHRIST'S ROBE 85
in each case, and "she was nothing bettered, but
rather grew worse." She had spent all ;
poverty
and pain, shame and exclusion, were the lot of her
life, and hope had departed from her soul. But
hope in earthly means had only failed in order
that she might be drawn to effectual faith in the
Divine
Healer.
In this, the woman symbolises the sinner. There
is no need to prove either the fact of human sin,
nor the utter failure of human effort to cure the
disease or eradicate its virus. Human laws may
reform man's external habits and manners, they
may effect an outward observance of conventional
respectability, but no code of laws, no ceremonial
ritual, no gifts of wealth, no sacrifices on the altar,
and no self-inflicted macerations, can cleanse away
sin, nor give spiritual life and health. It is remarkable
that no great human leader or teacher has
ever made profession or promise to accomplish
such a miracle. Buddha nor Zoroaster, Confucius
nor Laotse, Menu nor Mahomet, has never dared
to make such a pretension. Jesus Christ is the
only one who has ever offered to say to the
sinner
" Thy sins be forgiven thee," and untold millions
have testified that the word has been accompanied
with healing and restoring power.
As this woman did, so man the sinner has done.
He has spent his living on many physicians, and is
none the better but rather the worse. The world has
counselled him to try many methods by which the
perilous stuff may be purged that weighs upon the
heart, and his pride and unbelief have alike prompted
him to listen to worldly charmers, to try their recipes,