The Coming of the Healer.
‘They came into the land of Gennesaret. And when the men of that
place had knowledge of Him, they sent out into all that country round
about, and brought unto Him all that were diseased; and besought Him
that they might only touch the hem of His garment: and as many as
touched were made perfectly whole.’—
Matt. xiv. 34-36.
From the watch of lonely mountain prayer, in gathering storm and blast—
From the path no mortal foot could tread, o'er waters wild and vast,
He came, the glorious Son of God, with healing, love, and light,
To the land of far Gennesaret, that lay in shadowy night.
Oh blessed morning, sunrise true, upon that gloomy shore!
Where they who walked in darkness long, the Light of Life adore.
Oh blessed coming to the land of Death's usurping sway;
For where those shining footsteps fall, the shadows flee away!
But when the Light had touched the hills by slumbering Galilee,
The golden wave must roll afar towards the western sea:
And when the men had knowledge of the Holy One of God,
Then they sent out through all the land, and spread His fame abroad.
And then they brought the suffering ones, the lonely, or the dear,
And laid them at the Healer's feet, from far away, or near:
Then bent before the Wondrous One, and earnestly besought
That they might only touch the hem around His garment wrought.
He heard the prayer, and gave the will and strength to touch the hem;
And gave the faith, and virtue flowed from Him, and healèd them:
For every one whose feeblest touch thus met the Saviour's power,
Rose up in perfect health and strength in that accepted hour.
O Tender One, O Mighty One, who never sent away
The sinner or the sufferer, Thou art The Same to-day!
The Same in Love, the Same in Power, and Thou art waiting still,
To heal the multitudes that come, yea, ‘whosoever will!’
We know Thee, blessed Saviour, who hast ‘filled us with good things;’
Thou hast arisen on our land, with healing in Thy wings;
Thou hast arisen on our hearts, with light and life Divine;
Now bid us be Thy messengers, bid us ‘arise and shine!’
Oh, let Thy Spirit fire our zeal, that we may now ‘send out,’
And tell that Thou art come ‘in all the country round about,’—
That Thou art waiting now to heal, that Thou art strong to save,
That Thou hast spoilt the Spoiler, Death, and triumphed o'er the grave.
Oh, make us fervent in the quest, that we may bring them in,
The weary and the wounded, and the sufferers from sin;
The stricken and the dying, let us seek them out for Thee,
And lay them at Thy glorious feet, that healèd they may be.
Oh, pour upon our waiting hearts the Spirit of Thy grace,
That we may plead with Thee to show the brightness of Thy face,
Beseeching Thee to grant the will and strength and faith to such
As lie in helpless misery, Thy garment's hem to touch.
And then, Lord Jesus, make them whole, that they may rise and bring
New praise and glory unto Thee, our Healer and our King;
Yea, let Thy saving health be known through all the earth abroad,
So shall the people praise Thy Name, our Saviour and our God.
