Chapter 36—The Touch of Faith
This chapter is based on
Matthew 9:18-26
;
Mark 5:21-43
;
Luke
8:40-56
.
Returning from Gergesa to the western shore, Jesus found a mul-
titude gathered to receive Him, and they greeted Him with joy. He
remained by the seaside for a time, teaching and healing, and then
repaired to the house of Levi-Matthew to meet the publicans at the
feast. Here Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue, found Him.
This elder of the Jews came to Jesus in great distress, and cast
himself at His feet, exclaiming, “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 she shall live.”
Jesus set out at once with the ruler for his home. Though the
disciples had seen so many of His works of mercy, they were sur-
prised at His compliance with the entreaty of the haughty rabbi; yet
they accompanied their Master, and the people followed, eager and
expectant.
The ruler’s house was not far distant, but Jesus and His companions
advanced slowly, for the crowd pressed Him on every side. The anxious
father was impatient of delay; but Jesus, pitying the people, stopped
now and then to relieve some suffering one, or to comfort a troubled
heart.
While they were still on the way, a messenger pressed through the
crowd, bearing to Jairus the news that his daughter was dead, and it
was useless to trouble the Master further. The word caught the ear
of Jesus. “Fear not,” He said; “believe only, and she shall be made
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whole.”
Jairus pressed closer to the Saviour, and together they hurried to
the ruler’s home. Already the hired mourners and flute players were
there, filling the air with their clamor. The presence of the crowd, and
the tumult jarred upon the spirit of Jesus. He tried to silence them,
saying, “Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but
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