Chapter 27—Jairus’ Daughter
When Jesus returned across the sea with his disciples, a great crowd
were waiting to receive him, and they welcomed him with much joy.
The fact of his coming being noised abroad, the people had collected
in great numbers to listen to his teaching. There were the rich and
poor, the high and low, Pharisees, doctors, and lawyers, all anxious to
hear his words, and witness his miracles. As usual, there were many
of the sick and variously afflicted entreating his mercy in their behalf.
At length, faint and weary with the work of teaching and healing,
Jesus left the multitude in order to partake of food in the house of
Levi. But the people pressed about the door, bringing the sick, the
deformed, and the lunatic, for him to heal. As he sat at the table, one
of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus, by name, came and fell at his
feet, beseeching him: “My little daughter lieth at the point of death. I
pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and
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she shall live.”
The father was in great distress, for his child had been given up
to die by the most learned physicians. Jesus at once responded to the
entreaty of the stricken parent, and went with him to his home. The
disciples were surprised at this ready compliance with the request of
the haughty ruler. Although it was only a short distance, their progress
was very slow; for the people pressed forward on every side eager to
see the great Teacher who had created so much excitement, begging
his attention and his aid. The anxious father urged his way through
the crowd, fearful of being too late. But Jesus, pitying the people, and
deploring their spiritual darkness and physical maladies, stopped now
and then to minister to their wants. Occasionally he was nearly carried
off his feet by the surging masses.
There was one poor woman among that crowd who had suffered
twelve long years with a disease that made her life a burden. She
had spent all her substance upon physicians and remedies, seeking to
cure her grievous malady. But it was all in vain; she was pronounced
incurable, and given up to die. But her hopes revived when she heard
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