21.   And when Jesus had crossed over again in the boat unto the other side, a great multitude was gathered unto him; and he was by the sea. 22   And there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and seeing him, he falleth at his feet, 23   and beseecheth him much, saying, My little daughter is at the point of death: I pray thee, that thou come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be made whole, and live. 35.   While he yet spake, they come from the ruler of the synagogue's house saying, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Teacher any further? 36   But Jesus, not heeding the word spoken, saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Fear not, only believe. 37   And he suffered no man to follow with him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. 38   And they come to the house of the ruler of the synagogue; and he beholdeth a tumult, and many weeping and wailing greatly. 39   And when he was entered in, he saith unto them, Why make ye a tumult, and weep? the child is not dead, but sleepeth. 40   And they laughed him to scorn. But he, having put them all forth, taketh the father of the child and her mother and them that were with him, and goeth in where the child was. 41   And taking the child by the hand, he saith unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, Arise. 42   And straightway the damsel rose up, and walked; for she was twelve years old. And they were amazed straightway with a great amazement. 43   And he charged them much that no man should know this: and he commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Verses 21, 22. Was the multitude Jesus had left when He crossed over (4:36) scattered after His departure? What was Jairus? Did Peter accept such an act of worship? (Acts 10:25, 26). Why did Jesus?

Verse 23. What brought Jairus to Jesus' feet? Is it need and distress that brings men today? What did Jairus believe Jesus could and would do? In what was this faith inferior to that of the Centurion? (Matt. 8:5-10). Did Jesus nevertheless accede to the petition of Jairus? (v. 24). Did Jesus ever refuse a petition of need and distress?

(For verses 24-34 see the Notes.)

Verse 35. What bad news met them as they went toward Jairus' home? Did those who sent the word seem to think that it was too late now? But had the case really gone past Jesus' power? How would such a message affect Jairus' faith?

Verse 36. How did Jesus encourage the ruler? Was it necessary in order to banish fear to rest his faith on Jesus? (Comp. John 14:1).

Verses 37, 38, 39. Did He take all the disciples with Him? Was the place already full of people? What were they doing? Did Jesus seem to like that? What did He say about the child? Why say "she sleepeth?" In what others places does God use the word sleep to denote a death that is not final, but soon to give place to life? John 11:11; 1 Thess. 4:13.

Verse 40. How did those present receive the statement? Why did they laugh Him to scorn? Luke 8:53. From what standpoint did Jesus speak when He said, "She is not dead?" Rom. 4:17. (Of what man did Jesus once say that he should not die, and nevertheless the man was dead? John 11:4, 14. Can you explain that?) What did Jesus do with the unbelieving crowd? Who is permitted to "see the glory of God?" John 11:40.

Verse 41. How did Jesus raise up the child? What have we learned in former lessons of the power of Jesus' word? (Evil spirits cast out, [114] Mark 1:25, 26; leprosy cleansed, 1:41, 42; sins remitted, 2:5; palsy healed, 2:11; storm stilled, 4:39). What new lesson do we get here? John 5:28, 29.

Verses 42, 43. Was the child's restoration partial and gradual? Did Jesus raise all the dead in the country to life? What cases only are we told of? (Jairus' daughter, Young Man of Nain; Lazarus). Is it more important now to be delivered from the bodily death, or from the spiritual death, and the Second Death? (Eph. 2:1; Rev. 20:14). How are we rescued from "death in trespasses and sins," and the Second Death? John 3:36; 11:25, 26. For what purpose did Jesus do these earthly works of power? John 20:31.

THE WOMAN WHO TOUCHED HIS GARMENT.

      On the way to the house of Jairus occurred an important incident, which is omitted from the printed lesson. A woman who had had an issue of blood for twelve years and had "suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse," having heard the things concerning Jesus (Rom. 10:17) conceived in her heart a confidence that He could heal her case, hopeless as it was. Too timid (because of the nature of her disease no doubt, and shrinking from the faces of the crowd) she came to him (John 6:37) by the devious method of creeping up behind Him in the crowd. She had such a conception of the power of the Lord that she believed that if she should so much as touch His garment she would be made whole. It was a blundering faith, but blunders can be rectified when there is real faith, and mistakes can be remedied if folk will but come to Jesus. The emphasis in John 6:37 ("Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out") is on the "Me" more than on the "cometh." As soon as she touched Him she was aware that she was healed. Jesus immediately turned and said, "Who touched my garments?" His disciples (Peter in particular, Luke 8:45), said, Behold the multitude throng and crush around you--how can you say, "Who touched me?" Ah, the crowds still throng about Jesus--with professions and acts of service and worship, crowds in religious assemblies and church meetings; and among them a few whom the Lord knoweth, who really take hold of Him with the touch of faith and are healed!

      When the woman saw that she was discovered she came and trembling fell down and told all. (We may not get the Lord's blessing privately and hold it secretly. Matt. 5:15). And Jesus said to her, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace." May we also come to Him in humble, submissive faith, be made whole, and enter into peace? (Rom. 5:1).

HE MARVELS AT THEIR UNBELIEF.

      Following this lesson, but not included in the next, comes a brief account (Mark 6:1-6) of His visit to His "own country." This was the second visit. Of the first one, and how it ended, we read in Luke 4. This one was not destined to end much better. As on the first occasion, and more so now, His audience in the home-synagogue was amazed and marvelled. The thing they could not understand was where this Jesus (whom they had known in His childhood days), had got all this wisdom and power and mighty deed from. They knew both Him and all His folks. They could not grasp it. The thought that He might really be something more and better than themselves they could not bear. Such is the small pride of human nature. Instead of being a blessing to them, He became a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of offense to them. "And Jesus said unto them, A Prophet is not without honor, save in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house." ("For even his brethren did not believe on him," John 7:5). "And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them."

      Twice, we are told that Jesus marvelled: once at a man's remarkable faith (Matt. 8:10); and the other time at some folk's unbelief. (Mark 6:6). [115]

Source: Second Lord's Day Lesson of March. Lesson 10. March 10, 1918. Jesus Restoring Life and Health