-THE LIFE OF CHRIST - THE GALILEAN MINISTRY

-The Healing of Jairus’ Daughter & the Woman Who Touched Jesus’ Garment

-Mark 5:21-43, Luke 8:40-56, Matt 9:18-26

-There is a variety of opinions as to the order of events at the time in the Galilean ministry. 
 McGarvey and Pendleton placed the feast at Matthews house (Matt 9:10-17 - a passage we
 previously studied in accordance with Robertson’s ordering of events) at this point – when Jesus
 returned from the other side of the Sea of Galilee.  They then indicated that Jairus approached
 Jesus during that setting.  In a footnote,Robertson made the following comment:  “Broadus felt
 that the language in Matt. 9:18 compelled him to place 9:18 after 9:17.  I do not think so, for ‘while
 he spake’ may be merely an introductory phrase for a new paragraph.  It is best to follow Mark’s
 order, as Luke does, for Matthew is not chronological in this part of his Gospel” (pg 74).

-Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, approached Jesus, fell at His feet and asked Him to help his only

  daughter who “was dying” (Luke 8:42).  In Matthew’s account, we find Jairus telling Jesus, “My

  daughter has just died” (vs 18, NASB).  It seems that his daughter was near death when Jairus 
  set out to find Jesus.  He now assumes that she has already died.

     -As Jesus went with Jairus, many people “followed him, and thronged him” (Mark 5:24).

     -One person in particular, a woman with “an issue of blood twelve years (a hemorrhage –
       NASB)” (Mark 5:25) touched the garment of Jesus.

          -She had endured much suffering and great expense under the care of doctors yet her
           condition had only become worse.  She pressed through the crowd and with faith she
           touched Jesus’ garment and was healed.

                 -Jesus turned around and asked who touched him.  This should not lead us to doubt the fact
                  that Jesus knew who touched Him.  However, as He did many times, Jesus used a question as
                  an avenue to teach.  His question drew attention to the miracle that, as a whole, had probably
                  gone unnoticed by the large multitude.  Notice in Luke 8:45 that the disciples had not noticed.
                  Peter basically said, “With the multitude thronging you like this, you want to know who touched
                  you?” 

                 -However, Mark notes that Jesus “looked round about to see her” (Mark 5:32) showing that
                  Jesus did know who touched him.  When the woman realized this, she fell down at the feet of
                  Jesus and declared why she had touched Him and what the results were.  In doing so, the
                  multitude saw this woman’s faith and the results of it.  Jesus then commended her faith and
                  sent her away in peace.
                      -This passage is a good illustration of Biblical faith – an obedient/active faith.  (see Rom
                       1:15; 16:26) and the relationship between faith and works.
                      -Jesus said her “faith” had made her whole.  Notice, He didn’t say “faith only”.  What type
                       of faith did she have? – a faith that led to action – the touching of His garment.
                     -Consider this:  What if she would have believed only but not touched Jesus’ garment?  What
                       if she would have touched Jesus’ garment but not had any faith?  It was the combining of the
                       two – faith that led to action – that led to her healing through Jesus.
                     -To receive a spiritual healing (1 Pet 2:24) we must also have an obedient, active faith.

-Meanwhile, the delay must have been terribly difficult for Jairus.

-At this time, word reaches Jairus that his daughter is dead.  However, Jesus told Jairus to fear not
 and encouraged him to believe. 

-At this point, Jesus allowed only Jairus, Peter, James, John to follow Him.  When Jesus arrived at the

 house he asked why they were making so much noise and then told them that she wasn’t dead but
 was just sleeping.  Upon hearing these words, the people “laughed him to scorn” (Mark 5:40).

     -“The Greeks, Romans and the Jews alike were in the habit of engaging bands of professional
       mourners, who practiced the art of making the most agonizing sounds as expressions of the
       grief of the real mourners.  Part of them also used instruments.  Matthew (9:23) mentions the
       flute players” (Dorris, pgs 133-134).

-Jesus sent the people out and took the parents, Peter, James and John in to the body.  There He
 raised her from the dead with the words, “Damsel, I say unto thee, arise”.  The girl immediately
 arose and walked about to the astonishment of the witnesses.

-Jesus instructed them to get her something to eat and to remain silent about the miracle.  However,

 “the fame hereof went abroad into all that land” (Matt 9:26).