Two Miracles of Healing

TRUE FAITH IN GOD CONSISTS of taking him at his word—that is, accepting and believing the revelation of his character and plan as provided in the Scriptures. Faith also includes implicit trust in the divine attributes of wisdom, justice, power and love. God’s love is often demonstrated in his great mercy. Paul wrote, “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort.” The apostle also spoke of “God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us.”—II Cor. 1:3; Eph. 2:4

Similar to our previous lesson, our present study illustrates the importance of faith, but adds to this the deep love and mercy of our pattern, Christ Jesus. Paul states that it is impossible to please God without faith, and in order to come to him, we must “believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” (Heb. 11:6) We must also have full belief and trust in his character, that he is “the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”—James 1:17

Prior to the events that our Key Verse describes, mention is made of a ruler of the synagogue, whose name was Jairus, who came to Jesus. (Matt. 9:18; Mark 5:22) Jairus’ only daughter, who was twelve years old, was dying. (Luke 8:41,42) Although Jesus immediately arose, and followed him, Jairus’ daughter died before they could reach his house.

Demonstrating great faith, however, Jairus said to Jesus, “My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.” (Matt. 9:18) Jesus, along with his disciples, continued on toward the ruler’s home. Upon their arrival, the Lord entered Jairus’ house and told the people gathered there that the girl was not dead, “but sleepeth.” He then “took her by the hand, and the maid arose.” Jesus had awakened her out of the “sleep” of death, and Jairus’ faith was rewarded. (vss. 19,23-26) This reference to death as a “sleep” points to a time when all who sleep in death shall be awakened.—Dan. 12:2; John 11:11-14,23-25; I Thess. 4:13,14

During the journey to Jairus’ home, a woman who was diseased came behind Jesus and “touched the hem of his garment.” She believed in his greatness and power to such an extent that she thought to herself, “If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.” (Matt. 9:20,21) Upon feeling his garment, the thrill of life and strength immediately came into her body, and she was made whole “from that hour.” Jesus turned to her and said, “Thy faith hath made thee whole.”—vs. 22

In the Luke account of this miracle, the record notes that when Jesus’ garment was touched, he said, “Who touched me? … for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.” (Luke 8:45,46) This detail serves to illustrate the point which Paul later made, namely, that our Lord was “touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” (Heb. 4:15) As shown in the two miracles of our lesson, from Jordan to Calvary Jesus willingly and gladly responded to the needs of those about him, laying down his life in service and devotion to his Heavenly Father.