Matthew, Mark and Luke tell this story of traveling from city to city with Jesus as He healed the sick and cast out demons.
They arrived in the country of Gadarenes and met a man who was possessed by many demons. Jesus commanded the demons to leave the man and, at their request, allowed them to enter into a herd of swine. The swine ran violently into the lake and drowned. Once word of this event spread throughout the area, people became afraid and insisted that Jesus leave. The man asked to go with him, but Jesus told him, “Go home to your own house, and show the people what God has done for you.”
After witnessing the change in this man, the people regretted sending Jesus away, so when He returned, they were all excited and eager to see Him. A ruler of the synagogue whose name was Jairus, came to Jesus and begged Him to come to his house. “My only daughter,” he said, “is sick and about to die.”
As Jesus attempted to follow the man to his house, the growing crowd of people pressed closer, all eager to get His attention. Suddenly, Jesus stopped. “Who touched me?” he asked.
Peter and the other disciples looked at Him in wonder. “Master, all these people are pressing against us and you ask who touched you?”
Jesus replied, “Somebody has touched me, for I perceive that virtue has gone out of me.”
He gazed around and an elderly woman emerged from the crowd, trembling. “I-it was me,” she said, dropping to her knees before Jesus. “I have had an issue of blood for 12 years, and the doctors….I spent all my money, and none of them could help me. I thought if I could just touch the hem of your clothes…. I did, and the issue stopped immediately.”
Jesus said to her, “Daughter, be of good comfort. Your faith has made you whole. Go in peace.”
As Jesus spoke, a member of the ruler’s house arrived and said to Jairus, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no need to bother the Master now.”
Jesus, heard this and said to Jairus, “Fear not, only believe, and she will be made whole.”
When they arrived at Jairus’ house it was filled with family members and friends weeping and crying for the young girl who had died.
Jesus sent them out, saying, “Don’t cry, she’s not dead, but sleeping.”
They laughed at his words as He ushered them out, only allowing Peter, James and John to enter with Him.
Jesus approached the girl who appeared to be about twelve years old, and He took her hand in His. He called to her, “Maid, arise.”
The girl opened her eyes as her spirit returned to her and she arose and began to walk.
Her parents were astonished! “Get her something to eat.” Jesus told them. “and tell no man about what was done.”
We notice that earlier in the story, after Jesus freed the man from demons, He told him to go home and tell everyone what had happened to him. Now, after healing the young girl, He commands them not to tell what was done….perhaps He did this in order that He and his disciples might slip away without being stopped again by the crowds.
Shortly after this event, Jesus, saw the crowds becoming larger and it becoming more and more impossible for Him to move freely without the people following. So many were hurting and in need of His help. He looked upon the crowds with much compassion and said to his disciples: “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Matthew 9:37.
He called the twelve of them together and gave them the power to cast out demons and to heal all sickness and disease. After much instruction, He sent them out into the cities to seek the lost….and He did the same.
Today, people are still suffering and in need of the Lord. Let us be thankful for the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, God sent in Jesus name so that He might remain with us forever. How comforting it is just to know that Jesus still lives in the hearts of all believers and we don’t have to search far to find Him. His spirit is with us always; He still heals the sick and saves the lost….and His help is always just a prayer away.
