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10. A Girl Brought Back to Life and a Woman Healed (Matthew 9:18-26)
MATTHEW 9:18-26
18 While he told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 Jesus got up and followed him, as did his disciples. 20 Behold, a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; 21 for she said within herself, “If I just touch his garment, I will be made well.” 22 But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour. 23 When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd in noisy disorder, 24 he said to them, “Make room, because the girl isn’t dead, but sleeping.” They were ridiculing him. 25 But when the crowd was put out, he entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 The report of this went out into all that land. (Matthew 14:36; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:40-56)
Christ overcame the powers and authorities against God and His spiritual kingdom. Last of all, He overcame death. What a great truth! After showing us how Jesus triumphed over different diseases, storms, spirits, sins and laws, Matthew brings into view how Christ drove away death, our last enemy. Christ offers us complete deliverance from every burden and fear and leads us into eternal life. Are you triumphant in Christ?
A elder in charge (rabbi) of the synagogue of Capernaum had a sick daughter. All those who endeavored to cure her could not find a way to control her disease. The daughter was about to die and her father was terribly confused. He hurried to Jesus and fell down before Him in public, though he was the rabbi of the synagogue, knowing that worship is proper only for God and not for men. In his falling down before Jesus, he confessed that he considered Him a divine person. But Christ accepted this worship, for He is true God of true God, being in one essence with His Father. The faith of the head of the synagogue made him beg Jesus to heal his daughter, for he has already seen that Christ’s laying hands on the sick would cure them perfectly. Christ immediately went with him, as the situation was critical, but while amidst the crowd, a sick woman came near Him and touched His garment without speaking a word. Christ felt power had gone out of Him, for her touch was that of faith and not like that of the multitudes around Him. Jesus stopped, turned round and saw her. He perceived her story and spoke to her in public, as a testimony before everyone. He confirmed her faith in her, for faith takes power, life and grace from Christ.
This delaying was a hard lesson to the rabbi of the synagogue who was hurrying at the point of death. Jesus wanted him to learn that the Lord does not prefer those of high dignitaries to others, and that He works in harmony with the faith of the one who seeks Him no matter how small or big, be it woman or man.
When at last they reached the house, the daughter was already dead. Christ described her death as sleeping which made the weeping women ridicule Him. They confirmed to the Lord of life that the daughter was not almost dead but was really dead.
As Jesus saw the power of death and ignorance of the crowd, He was upset. He permitted no one in except the girl’s parents and three of His disciples. He stood silently before the dead child and took her by the hand. Then her spirit returned, and death broke away defeated and conquered, for the power of Christ extends beyond the screen of life, and the power of His words overcomes death. The girl arose, walked between her parents, and everyone was shocked and amazed.
Christ is not only the Creator, but also the Giver, Keeper, Protector and Developer of life. This is why He commanded that she be given something to eat, which indicates that she was completely recovered and that the salvational act of Christ is complete to the utmost.
What a great comfort to us, followers of Christ, that by the power of His love, He will raise us from the dead too, for He knows our name. Christ will take you by hand that you may immediately rise from your death in sins and live in His eternal life.
PRAYER: O Heavenly Father, we are bound in sins according to our nature, but Your only Son is the Giver of life, and the stream of spiritual flood. Thank You for sending us this unique Deliverer that we can obtain Your eternal life by faith. Let Him take us by hand when we read Your gospel that we may immediately rise up together with many other young men and women in our communities.
QUESTION:
- How did Jesus raise the dead daughter according to Matthew?