Jairus’ Daughter
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of the wonderful cures effected by Jesus. She believed that if she
could come into his presence, he would take pity on her and heal her.
Suffering with pain and weakness, she came to the sea-side where he
was teaching, and sought to press through the crowd that encompassed
him. But her way was continually hedged up by the throng. She began
to despair of approaching him, when Jesus, in urging his way through
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the multitude, came within her reach.
The golden opportunity had come, she was in the presence of the
great Physician! But amid the confusion, she could not be heard by
him nor catch more than a passing glimpse of his figure. Fearful of
losing the one chance of relief from her illness, she pressed forward,
saying to herself, If I but touch his garment I shall be cured. She
seized the opportunity as he was passing and reached forward, barely
touching the hem of his garment. But in that moment she felt herself
healed of her disease. Instantly health and strength took the place of
feebleness and pain. She had concentrated all the faith of her life in
that one touch that made her whole.
With a thankful heart she then sought unobtrusively to retire from
the crowd; but suddenly Jesus stopped, and all the people, following
his example, also halted. He turned, and looking about him with a
penetrating eye, asked in a voice distinctly heard by all, “Who touched
me?” The people answered this query with a look of amazement.
Jostled upon all sides, and rudely pressed hither and thither as he was,
it seemed indeed a singular inquiry.
Peter, recovering from his surprise, and ever ready to speak, said,
“Master, the multitude throng thee, and press thee, and sayest thou,
Who touched me?” Jesus answered, “Somebody hath touched me; for
I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.” The blessed Redeemer could
distinguish the touch of faith from the casual contact of the careless
crowd. He well knew all the circumstances of the case, and would not
pass such confidence and trust without comment. He would address to
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the humble woman words of comfort that would be to her a well-spring
of joy.
Looking toward the woman, Jesus still insisted upon knowing
who had touched him. Finding concealment vain, she came forward
tremblingly and knelt at his feet. In hearing of all the multitude, she
told Jesus the simple story of her long and tedious suffering, and the
instant relief that she had experienced in touching the border of his