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.
      24   And he went with him; and a great multitude followed him, and they thronged him.
      25   And a woman, who had an issue of blood twelve years,
      26   and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,
      27   having heard the things concerning Jesus, came in the crowd behind, and touched his garment.
      32   And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.
      33   But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.
      34   And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
      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?

Questions and Brief Comments.

Verses 22, 23. Who was this man? What drove him to Jesus? In what posture did he make his request? What was his trouble? And what his request?

Verses 24. Did Jesus refuse? Did He ever refuse an appeal for help? Who followed?

Verses 25-27. Who was in this throng? What was her history? How did she seek Jesus' healing power? What was her thought? (Matt. 9:21).

Verses 32, 33. (Read verses 28-31). Why do you think, was the woman afraid?

Verses 34. Did the Lord scold her? What did He say to her?

Verses 35. What disheartening message came to Jairus? Did that end all his hope? Why?

Verses 36. Was Jesus dismayed at the news? What did He say to the ruler of the synagogue?

Verses 41, 42. (Read verses 37-40). What did He say to the little girl? Did death have to yield up its prey at Christ's command? [62]

      36   But Jesus, not heeding the word spoken, saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Fear not, only believe.
      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.

NOTES AND TEACHING POINTS.

TWO MORE OF HIS MIGHTY WORKS.

      In the preceding lesson we saw Jesus' power in the realm of nature and over evil spirits. Today we see His power over disease and death. In every sphere and realm His power was supreme.

      Touching the Border of His garment. This miracle is peculiar in that the sick person attempted to obtain healing secretly. She was indeed healed--due to her faith in Him--but He would not allow that it should pass thus in secret: she had to tell it out; which she did tremblingly. But Jesus reassured her: "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague." When one in need takes hold of the Lord Jesus in earnest faith, even secretly, the help comes. But it must not be kept secret.

      Raising the daughter of Jairus. In the meanwhile Jairus' little daughter died, and the message came to him while he was with Jesus, with the suggestion that there was no use to trouble the Master further. They did not think that His power could reach into the realm of death. But the Lord encouraged the child's father to keep up his faith: "Fear not, only believe." The details of His raising the little maiden are found in the lesson-text.

      Three Instances of Raising the Dead. Only three cases of raising the dead are recorded in the gospels. These stand in a relation to each other--each being apparently more impossible than the preceding.

      1. The daughter of Jairus. She had but just died.

      2. The young man of Nain. He had been dead some while. They were carrying him out to burial. (Luke 7:11-16).

      3. Lazarus. He had been dead four days already, and the body had begun to decay. (John 11).

      It must be noted that while these showed Jesus' power over death, they were not true resurrections. They were only a calling back to this life, and the work was wrought for the sake of the living rather than for the sake of the dead. These in course of time had to die again, just as before. Jesus will some day raise all the dead and will judge them; and those whose names are not written in the book of life shall be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death (Rev. 20:15) from which no man's return or restoration is promised.

QUESTIONS FOR THE CLASS.

1. Who came to Jesus?
2. What was his petition?
3. How did he present his petition?
4. Did the Lord Jesus refuse him?
5. Did He ever refuse any appeal of need or distress?
6. Who followed along on the way to Jairus' house?
7. Who was in the crowd needing help and too timid to ask?
8. What had been her history?
9. What peculiar confidence did she conceive in her heart?
10. Did she carry out her purpose?
11. What did she know immediately she had touched the border of his garment?
12. What did Jesus ask?
13. Was not the crowd pressing and thronging?
14. Is there a difference in the way in which people can touch Jesus?
15. What did the woman do when she saw that she could not be hid?
16. With what words did Jesus reassure her?
17. What message was brought to Jairus?
18. Did they think there was any more use to trouble Jesus?
19. Why did they think not?
20. What did the Lord say to Jairus?
21. When they arrived what did Jesus say about the little girl?
22. Why did they laugh Him to scorn?
23. What did He mean?
24. What did He do?
25. What was the effect on all? [63]

Source: Fourth Lord's Day Lesson of February. Lesson 9. February 26, 1928. Other Mighty Works of Jesus