The Story of Jairus' Daughter from the Gospels

Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, desperately sought Jesus' help for his dying daughter. While Jesus made his way to Jairus' house, a woman with a chronic illness believed that if she touched Jesus' clothes, she would be healed. Her faith paid off, as she was instantly cured. Jesus felt the power leave him and asked who had touched him. The woman confessed, and Jesus praised her faith. Unfortunately, while this was happening, messengers arrived with the news that Jairus' daughter had died. Jesus assured Jairus not to fear, and they went to his house. Despite the commotion and disbelief, Jesus entered the room where the girl lay and brought her back to life. The family was overjoyed, and Jesus reminded them to give her something to eat. The Story of Jairus' Daughter from the Gospels There was one man who was especially anxious to meet Jesus. His name was Jairus, and he was ruler of the synagogue. He had listened to Jesus' teachings and had watched with wonder as he healed the sick. Jairus and his wife had a terrible trouble at home, and they together decided that no one but this wonderful teacher could help them. So the moment Jesus reached the shore, Jairus came and flung himself down at his feet and cried, My little daughter lies at the point of death. I pray you come and lay your hands upon her, that she may be healed, and she shall live. Jesus turned and came at once, but to Jairus' distress, the crowd was so great that Jesus could only walk very slowly. Every moment of delay was agony to the unhappy father. Now in that crowd there was a poor woman who was so ill that she had given up all hope of ever getting well again. She had spent all her money on doctors, but instead of being better, she was worse and had now become very, very poor. She had heard of this mighty healer, but she had not the courage to go up to him boldly and ask him to make her well. But as she saw the kind way in which he looked at Jairus, she longed more than ever to be healed. Yes, she thought, he will never notice me in all this crowd, and if I may but touch his clothes, I shall be whole. So she crept nearer and nearer, and at last managed to reach out her hand and touch his clothes. That very moment she felt strong and well and young again. Trembling with excitement, she tried to slip back amongst the crowd, but Jesus now turned and looking around, said, Who touched my clothes? The disciples were surprised that he should ask this question, for they were in a crowd, but Jesus knew that the touch of the woman was different from the pressure of the crowd, for she had touched him with a prayer in her heart that she should be healed, and power had gone forth from him. So fearing and trembling, the woman came and fell down before him and told him the truth. Then Jesus said unto her, Daughter, your faith has made you whole. Go in peace and be healed of your infirmity. But meanwhile, poor Jairus was grudging every moment of delay, and now he saw a messenger pressing through the crowd to reach him, and there was bad news in his face. Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the master? said the messenger. Jairus could not speak for grief and disappointment, but Jesus, who had heard the message, said quietly to him, Be not afraid, only believe. You will notice in all the stories that Jesus Christ could do anything for people who believed in him, but sometimes the people refused to believe in him, and then he had to go away and could not do any of his mighty works for them. Jairus believed in Jesus enough to lead him to the house where his dead little girl lay. In that country the houses are more public than ours, and when Jesus reached the ruler's house, crowds of people would have liked to follow him inside to see what he would do. Not only so, but already Jairus's own friends, and especially the women, were making a terrible commotion, weeping and tearing their hair and crying out in loud shrieking voices because the little girl was dead. But Jesus could do nothing while so much noise was going on. As he entered the house, he said quietly, Why are you making this noise? The child is not dead, but sleeps. But the people, in their ignorance, laughed at him. Then Jesus commanded that everyone should be put out from the room where the dead child was lying, and he only allowed Jairus and the mother, and Peter and James and John, his disciples, to be with him. Very quietly he went up to the bed and gazed at the dead child. He took hold of the limp, cold hand and said, Little girl, I say unto you, Arise. At the master's voice the little girl opened her eyes, saw Jesus, and rose up quite well and strong. What joy there was in that sorrowful household! How Jairus and his wife thanked Jesus, and how the little girl must have loved him for what he had done. Jesus knew that she would be hungry after her illness, so before he left the house, he reminded the parents to give her something to eat.