Jairus’ Daughter
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The delay of Jesus had been so intensely interesting in its results
that even the anxious father felt no impatience but watched the scene
with deep interest. As the healed woman was sent away comforted
and rejoicing, it encouraged him to believe still more firmly that Jesus
was able to grant his own petition and heal his daughter. Hope grew
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stronger in his heart, and he now urged the Saviour to hasten with him
to his home. But, as they resumed their way, a messenger pressed
through the crowd to Jairus, bearing the news that his daughter was
dead, and it was useless to trouble the Master further. The sympathiz-
ing ear of Jesus caught the words that smote the father’s heart like
the death-knell of his hopes. The pity of the Saviour was drawn out
toward the suffering parent. He said to him, in his divine compassion,
“Fear not; believe only, and she shall be made whole.”
Hearing these words of hope, Jairus pressed closer to the side of
Jesus; and they hurried to the ruler’s house. The Saviour suffered no
one to enter the room with him where the child lay dead, except a
few of his most faithful disciples, and the parents themselves. The
mourners were making a great show of grief, and he rebuked them,
saying, “Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.” The women, who,
according to the custom of the country, were employed to make this
external display of sorrow, were indignant at this remark made by
a humble stranger, and they began to inquire by what authority this
person came, commanding them to cease lamenting for the dead and
asserting that the girl still lived. They had seen the touch of death
change the living child to a pulseless and unconscious form. They
laughed the words of Jesus to scorn, as they left the room at his
command. Accompanied by the father and mother, with Peter, James,
and John, the Saviour approached the bedside, and, taking the child’s
hand in his own, he pronounced softly, in the familiar language of her
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home, the words, “Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.”
Instantly a tremor quivered through the entire body. The pulses of
life beat again in the blue-veined temples, the pallid lips opened with a
smile, the bosom heaved with returning breath, the waxen lids opened
widely as if from sleep, and the dark eyes looked out wonderingly.
The girl arose, weak from her long illness, but free from disease. She
walked slowly across the room, while the parents wept for joy. Jesus
bade them give her food, and charged all the household to tell no
one what had been done there. But notwithstanding his injunction to