The Gospel Of Matthew Chapter 9 Part 4 Jesus Healed A Woman And Resurrected A Dead Girl

So far in this chapter, Jesus demonstrated His power to heal those who were in a hopeless condition of infirmity.

He was critiqued by scribes and Pharisees and Jesus made sure to demonstrate miraculously He had authority to forgive sins.

This spiritual reality of Christ astounded the multitudes who glorified God.

Next, Jesus called Levi who was a tax collector and despised by his own people.

He gave Levi the new name of Matthew which means gift of Jehovah. 

Matthew immediately invited other publicans to his home to host Jesus for a feast which is evidence of his new found spiritual life in Christ.

Pharisees and scribes hated publicans and vehemently criticized Jesus for attending the feast.

However, Jesus rebuked them by saying that He had come specifically to seek and save lost sinners.

Jesus came to reclaim lost souls for the kingdom of God.

Jesus is God manifest in the flesh and what He said and did reflected the very heart of God toward all mankind.

It does not matter what race, ethnicity, or nationality a person is, because God will save all who call upon Christ's name with repentance for sin and faith. 

Then, Jesus answered the critique of John the Baptist's disciples.

They thought that Jesus's disciples should be mourning and fasting as they were, since John was imprisoned.

Jesus gave an illustration showing that He is the Bridegroom and His disciples were the friends of the Bridegroom.

According to Jewish custom, marriage was a sanctified celebration joining one man and one woman together in a holy covenant for life.

Thus, while Jesus was walking with His disciples, it was a time of great joy, wonder and celebration and they could not mourn under those circumstances.

Then, Jesus exposed the hypocritical nature of Pharisees who fasted as an attention seeking behavior.

Doing religious things cannot convert a soul to Christ.

Appearing outwardly religious only serves to mask the corrupt and depraved heart lurking within that individual.

Thus, new cloth must be used for an entirely new garment which pictures being born again.

Thus, new wine must be put into new bottles which also pictures the new birth.

This is why Jesus came to earth, to offer a new heart and new spirit to all who trust Him.

A certain man's young daughter died but the father came to Jesus seeking His help.

Matthew 9:18-19  While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live. 19)  And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.  

At the very moment Jesus addressed John's disciples, a distraught father came to Jesus because his young daughter just died.

Matthew used the word "Behold" as it is often used in scripture, to alert us to some marvelous or astounding thing that happens.

The synoptic accounts of Mark and Luke offer some more context to amplify the beauty and majesty of Jesus Christ.

Mark 5:22-23  And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23)  And besought him greatly, saying, 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. 

Mark tells us that the "certain ruler of the synagogue" was named Jairus which means "whom God enlightens." 

"While he spake these things unto them" refers to scribes, Pharisees, and John's disciples regarding eating with publicans and sinners, and not fasting as others did.

Jesus gave those parables to expose the folly of self-righteous people, and justify His calling sinners to repentance.

Mark and Luke say that the synagogue ruler's name was Jairus. 

He was one of the elders who exercised care of the synagogue.

Jairus must have heard about Jesus healing multitudes of sick and afflicted people.

His daughter was so ill that he was sure she would be dead by the time he found the Lord.

Notice that Jairus fell down before Jesus and worshiped Him before making his request.

He had faith that the good reports he heard from others about Jesus were true.

He believed that the same Jesus who cast out demons, healed a leper and stilled the stormy sea could certainly heal his beloved daughter.

His faith was clearly expressed to Jesus when he said "come, and lay thy hand upon her and she shall live."

Jesus did not hesitate but rose right up to go and help Jairus' daughter. 

However, before Jesus could travel with Jairus another remarkable event occurred.

A woman with an incurable issue of blood had faith to come near Jesus seeking healing.

Matthew 9:20-21  And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: 21)  For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. 

A certain woman had a discharge of blood that had lasted for twelve years. 

It is hard to imagine suffering a medical condition like an issue of blood lasting for twelve years.

She too, expressed her faith. She believed the wonderful reports she had heard from others about Jesus's miracles and healings. 

For the first time in a long time, this woman had hope and she believed that Jesus could heal her.

It was a crowded situation and she drew close enough to Jesus to reach down and touch the hem of His garment.

She reasoned that touching Christ's garment would heal her affliction.

She thought "I shall be whole" and the word translated "whole" is a word widely used in connection with salvation.

This word is translated "save" or "saved" in the vast majority of places where this word is found.

It means to save, keep safe and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction both physically and spiritually.

Mark 5:25-27  And a certain woman, which 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)  When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 

Mark's gospel adds a human element to this woman's prolonged sufferings.

She frequently sought medical help from "doctors" but we must remember that doctors were very primitive compared to modern medicine.

Doctors probably did the best they could but nothing helped her. In fact, her condition grew steadily worse over time.

Someone told her about Jesus Christ, in whom the power of God was present to heal the sick and cast out demons.

By faith she approached Christ who was surrounded by a large multitude.

By faith she touched Jesus' garment.

Text from the law of Moses tells us why she was so desperate to be cured of her issue of blood.

A woman with an issue of blood was unclean and all that she touched was unclean. 

Leviticus 15:25-29  And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean. 26)  Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her separation. 27)  And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even. 28)  But if she be cleansed of her issue, then she shall number to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean. 29)  And on the eighth day she shall take unto her two turtles, or two young pigeons, and bring them unto the priest, to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 

Having an ongoing issue of blood was devastating for this woman because the law made her unclean.

She was not forced to stay away from her community like a leper, but she had to sleep in a separate bed and stay separate from her husband.

All bedding, furniture and clothing that she touched was unclean and had to be washed in accord with God's sanitation standard.

She had to restrict herself to one room because everything thing she touched would be unclean.

In addition, she would have been socially isolated as she would not be invited to share a meal at a neighbor's home because everything she touched was be unclean

In like manner, she could not attend the synagogue to worship with family or friends.

Thus, her life was miserable, lonely and difficult.

A miraculous cure of her issue of blood and a confession of faith amidst a crowd.

Matthew 9:22  But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour. 

Mark 5:29-34  And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30)  And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? 31)  And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32)  And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33)  But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in 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. 

Matthew's focus is presenting Jesus Christ as Israel's Messiah, the son of David so he often includes less detail in writing about events like this one.

Mark presents Jesus Christ as God's servant and his gospel is packed with action words in describing what Jesus said and did.

Mark tells us that as soon as this afflicted woman touched the hem of Jesus' garment she was healed from the issue of blood.

Mark calls it a "fountain of blood" indicating the severity of her condition. 

Suffering a constant loss of blood brings other complications including iron deficiency, shortness of breath, heart palpitations or dizziness.

What happened when she touched Jesus' garment?

It immediately dried up and ceased and she could feel internally that her body was now healed, and made normal again by the power of God in Christ.

Jesus immediately knew that virtue went out from Him and this is the same word most often translated "power."

Thus, Christ knew power went forth from Him and He turned to find out who had been healed.

Jesus asked the question "Who touched my clothes?" 

His disciples were amazed because so many people thronged around them that it would seem impossible to know who touched Him.

Jesus stopped and began looking for the woman, for He knew who it was.

She was filled with fear and trembling and came forward and fell to the ground to tell Jesus what she had done.

Jesus was not rebuking this certain woman. Rather, He wanted His Father to receive glory for what He did in healing her.

She confessed her faith and Jesus commended her for her faith and blessed her healing.

We might think it strange that Jesus insisted on the woman coming forth publicly to declare what Christ did for her, but this is an important principle for each Christian to grasp.

Each believer must make a public profession of faith in Christ so others see the goodness of God.

Romans 10:9-11  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10)  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11)  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 

We must confess our faith in Christ publicly, with our mouth and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and we shall be saved, born again, regenerated by God's Spirit.

Belief begins in the heart and confession of repentant faith in Christ issues forth from our mouth.

Why? Because all who believe are not ashamed of proclaiming what God did in saving them from sin and condemnation.

Next, the gospels bring us back to the condition of Jairus' sick daughter.

Mark 5:35-37  While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? 36)  As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 37)  And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. 

Mark adds some more important details about what happened next.

Messengers from Jairus' home came to him and said "Don't bother the Master any longer because your daughter is dead."

Any father would be devastated by hearing this news about the death of his child but Jesus immediately intervened.

He comforted Jairus telling him not to be afraid, but to believe in Jesus Christ.

Jairus was present when Jesus healed the woman's issue of blood so he had faith and believed what Jesus said.

Notice also that Jesus only took Peter, James and John with him to go to Jairus' home.

Jesus often took those three men with Him for unique circumstances, because they were leaders in the early church and needed to be firsthand eyewitnesses of what Jesus said and did.

Jairus' daughter died but Jesus was going to perform an astounding miracle. 

Matthew 9:23-26  And when Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, 24)  He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. 25)  But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 26)  And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land. 

Jesus went with Jairus and arrived at his home.

Upon arrival they discovered that Jairus' daughter had died and the official period of mourning had started.

Jesus commanded "Give place" which means leave the room, and He said she "sleepeth" which is how Paul describes the death of a Christian (See for example 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:10).

They mourned, laughed, and mocked Jesus when He said Jairus' daughter was asleep because they verified she was indeed, dead. 

The evidence of her death could not be disputed.  

Christ put those scorners and mockers out as unworthy to witness the miracle He would do.

They were so ignorant in the things of God, as not to understand Christ when He spoke of death as a sleep, and they mocked Him for it.

Mark 5:40-43  And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. 41)  And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. 42)  And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. 43)  And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat. 

Mark tells us that Jesus put all the mourners out of the room where Jairus' daughter was laid.

He took her parents in with Him and He took her hand as a most tender expression of compassion and God's love for humanity.

Jesus took the parents of the child to be witnesses of the miracle, because He designed it for their comfort.

Then, Jesus commanded her to arise and immediately, she was raised from the dead and was alive.

Such is the power of the gospel call to those who are  dead in trespasses and sins, and can no more rise from that death by their own power, than this child could. 

Yet that command Awake, and arise from the dead is never spoken in vain for all who repent and believe,  received light from Christ (See Ephesians 5:14; Ezekiel 16:1).  

She rose up off her death bed and walked and Jesus commanded that she receive food.

Jesus the Good Shepherd, said something should be given her to eat. 

Thus she was raised not only to life, but to a good state of health, that she had an appetite to her meat. 

This pictures a newly born again believer who need the pure milk of God's Word in order to grow and thrive as Christians (See 1 Peter 2:1-2).

This reminds us that as soon as we are born again we receive new life in Christ so that we can begin walking in newness of life (See 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 6:4).

All the mourners were overwhelmed with astonishment as their minds were thrown into a state of confusion, amazement and perplexity.

This is often the case when a sinner is born again. New life in Christ brings new passions and a new way of living such that we no longer engage in the sinful things we used to do.

We distance the circle of friends we once had because God calls us to come out and be separate (See 2 Corinthians 6:17-18).

We no longer go to the same sinful places because we do not want to be placed under temptation to sin and our former friends may mock us or think we are strange because we no longer want to sin (See 1 Peter 4:4).

He also told the parents not to tell others what He had done as Jesus did not seek fame but deflected all glory and honor to His Father.

We see these essential truths in Matthew's account.

When Jesus healed the woman's issue of blood He commanded that she come forth and make a public confession of her faith.

We too, must publicly confess our faith and in light of the horrific events surrounding Charlie Kirk's assassination, we must be bold witnesses for Christ. 

Evil must be exposed to the light of God's Word and we must trust God to help us and to bless His gospel as we share it.

We are called by Jesus to let our light shine into a sin darkened, evil culture and we are called to be salt that slows down the rate of decay and depravity.

We also see Jesus' readiness to help those in need and we must see sinners as Christ sees them: lost sheep who need to be brought home to the Good Shepherd.

We also see Jesus comforting the parents whose daughter died and we must tell others that Jesus will indeed comfort us in our trials and afflictions.'

We see Jesus making provision for the young girl's needs after raising her from the dead, just as we must help those whom God saves to find a solid, Bible preaching church that their faith may be nurtured. 

We see Jesus deflecting any fame or notoriety because salvation is the mighty work of God, thus we must give God all the glory.

I pray that each Christian reading this post will be strengthened in the LORD to live as Christ commands us to live and to seek first the kingdom of God each day.

I pray that our nation will experience a true, heaven sent revival that exceeds the two Great Awakenings America experienced long ago.

Let us live according to Christ's commands and let us tell others about Jesus and salvation.

Bob