Two other scenes (interwoven, it is true) close the chapter. The Lord is appealed to by Jairus, the ruler of the synagogue. “He fell down at Jesus' feet and besought him that he would come into his house.” This was the way in which a Jew expected to be healed—by the coming of Messiah to his place. “For he had one only daughter about twelve of age, and she lay a-dying.” Such was the condition of the daughter of Zion now. Israel was proving that there was no life in them; but Christ is entreated, and He goes for the purpose of healing Israel.
While He is on the way, a woman crosses His path, having a most urgent need— “an issue of blood twelve years, who had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any.” It was therefore a hopeless case, humanly speaking. Nevertheless she comes behind Him in the desperate sense that now was her opportunity, and touched the border of His garment. And immediately her issue of blood stanched.” The Lord was, of course, conscious of that which was done. If faith feels the grace and power of Jesus in any measure, and applies ever so feebly, hesitatingly, and tearfully, Jesus knows it well and yearns over that soul. His heart was towards her, and He would have her know it. She touched Him from behind. Jesus would bring her into His presence, face to face, and would have her to know that His hearty consent went with the blessing, which she had seemed to steal but really acquired by the touch of faith. Hence He says, “Who touched me?” It was in vain that Peter or the others sought to explain it away, when all denied. It was in vain to say that the multitude thronged, and therefore why ask who touched Him. The Lord stood to it: somebody had touched Him. It was not a crowd's pressure: it was not an accident. It was distinctly one who had touched Him. There was the real recourse of faith, however weak. “Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me, for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.” The multitude thronging could extract no virtue: not thus did Jesus heal. No such external pressure is of avail to bring blessing out of Him. But the soul that finds itself near to Jesus, and touches however timorously, never fails to gather blessing from Him. “And when the woman saw that she was not hid [this was not the state in which the Lord would leave her, nor any who are blessed], she came trembling, and, falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she had been healed immediately.” The glory of God was thus secured, and a bright testimony to man was rendered; but her heart needed also to be thoroughly restored. She must learn what love God has, and how completely Jesus would give her communion with Himself in the blessing conferred. Thus is the Giver known, and the gift enhanced infinitely. It was not something stolen, but freely imparted. Therefore says He, “Daughter, be of good comfort.” He uses the term of affection expressly to banish all terror and uneasiness. “Daughter, be of good comfort, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” What a joy it would be to her ever afterward to know that she had not only got the mercy her body needed from God, but that the Savior, the Lord God who healed her diseases, the ever blessed Physician had spoken to her, given her His own warrant, comforted her when her heart was utterly afraid, used terms even of such endearment towards her, owned her faith, feeble as it was, and finally sent her away with a message of peace.
“While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not, believe only, and she shall be made whole.” (Ver. 49, 50.)
Such turns out to be the real condition of Israel, not sick only, but dead, But Jesus carried within Himself the secret of resurrection. He is equal to all emergencies, and knew infinitely better than they both the maiden's need and His own mighty power. He did not come down to do what others might have done. An angel may trouble the pool of Bethesda for a man not too infirm to step in immediately. The Son quickens whom He will. And the Jews, long rebellious in unbelief, long seeking to destroy His name who by such a claim makes Himself equal with God, will yet own the despised Messiah as their Lord and their God, and the dry bones shall live; and all Israel, at length saved, shall blossom and bud and fill the face of the world with fruit! Of this the sick and now dead maiden is the pledge; and He, who then bids her father fear not but believe, will redeem the pledge He gave of old.
“And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. And all wept and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.” (Ver. 51-56.) The spirit of scorn then and there was but a little sample of what is to be; but such can have no portion in the blessing permanently. For while many of Israel that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, with some it will be to shame and everlasting contempt, as surely as with others to everlasting life. For they are not all Israel that are of Israel. But the word of gracious power shall go forth from Him in whose eyes the virgin daughter of Zion was not dead but sleeping; and she shall arise. And He who at length wakes her up from her death sleep shall care for her and strengthen her for the great work to which Zion will then be called. It was, however, but a passing act of power then; the time was not yet come for more; and Jesus charged them to tell none what was done. If He were not received Himself, if His word were refused, it was vain to publish His power. Unbelief would only turn it to worse evil.