1425. The Issue–Sin's Hopelessness

The Issue–Sin's Hopelessness

"A certain woman * * had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, * * heard of Jesus" (Mar_5:25-26).

We have before us, in the woman who had an issue, the story of the hopelessness of the sinner in his sins.

She had done everything she knew to do; she had gone to one physician, and when he failed her, she had gone to another; and so on down the line. She had paid as she went. The result was she was none better and her money was gone.

1. Let us note some pictures of the sinner's despair.

(1) On the Samaritan road lay an assaulted Jew. He had been robbed, and beaten, and left for dead.

The Levite had come, had seen him, and had passed by on the other side.

The priest had come, had seen him, and had passed by on the other side.

What could the Samaritan do? All his hope was gone.

(2) There was a ship that had started out from a Fair Havens. It was sailing the Mediterranean toward Rome, when it was caught by a storm, and driven in a tempest. Finally, "When neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then taken away" (Act_27:20).

In the straits of the assaulted Jew, and of the storm-driven ship, we have apt pictures of the darkness of despair that broods over a sinner when he realizes his sin.

He realizes that he is lifeless, favorless, homeless, hopeless. He stares death and eternity in the face. He sees nothing before him save the pit of the abyss, and the flames that never fail.

2. We have the picture of the assurance of faith. The woman with an issue in her desperation said: "If I may but touch the hem of His garment, I shall be healed" (see Mat_9:20-21).

There are three sad and stirring cries in Scripture, cries from hopeless hearts, pleading piteously to Christ.

(1) The first is Peter. He was sinking beneath the waves, fearful of certain death. Then he cried, "Lord, save, I perish." Immediately the Lord Jesus took him by the hand.

(2) The second is the Syrophenician. The woman was a Greek, a woman of Canaan. She came unto Christ and cried, saying: "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Thou Son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a demon. But He answered her not a word. And His disciples came and besought Him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us" (Mat_15:22-23).

Overwhelmed with sorrow, feeling that her last hope was about to be crushed she cried, "Lord, help me" (Mat_15:25). Then the Lord heard and helped her.

(3) The third is the Golgotha thief. Hanging upon the cross; in the anguish of a malefactor's death; feeling his life fast ebbing away and the darkness of the tomb fast enshrouding him, the dying thief cried; "Lord, remember me" (Luk_23:42).

To Peter the Lord gave response; reached forth His hand, and saved him.

To the Syrophenician the Lord said, "O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt" (Mat_15:28). He helped her.

To the thief, the Lord said, "To day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise" (Luk_23:43). He remembered him.

Thus it is that all may come to Christ. We may approach Him in the full assurance of faith. He will turn our darkness into day.

If we need salvation, He will save.

If we need help, He will help.

If we need remembrance, He will remember.

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR