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The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Resurrecting Jairus' Daughter

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

In the account of Jairus' twelve-year-old daughter, a distraught father, Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, bows to Jesus, desperately asking Him to heal his dying child. Jesus responds by going immediately to Jairus' home. On the way, He heals a woman with a serious issue of blood. Jairus, convinced of Jesus' power through His miraculous ministry, believes His presence in his home is necessary and beseeches Him to come and touch his daughter. Mark records that Jairus calls her "my little daughter," while Luke notes she was an only child, highlighting how precious she was to her father. As Jesus walks to Jairus' home, a friend informs Jairus of the devastating news that his daughter is dead. Jesus overhears and intervenes to curb the father's fear, offering encouragement with the words, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." With gentleness and compassion, He comforts the brokenhearted father, changing his focus with a word of hope. In the midst of a noisy crowd of mourners at the home, Jesus declares, "The child is not dead but sleeping." The mourners, ignorant of His use of sleep as a term for death, deride Him. Jesus expels all but the girl's parents and three of His disciples—Peter, James, and John—bringing privacy, peace, and stillness to the situation. He resurrects Jairus' daughter in the presence of these five witnesses, ensuring the miracle's veracity without making a spectacle before unbelievers. After the resurrection, Jesus commands the parents to feed the girl, revealing His kindness and sympathy. This detail suggests her body was still weak and needed nourishment, showing she was restored to physical existence. He also requests that the parents tell no one what had happened, likely to protect the girl from rude attention and to prevent fame from hindering her future spiritual life.

Jesus, Jairus, the Woman, and Faith

'Ready Answer' by Ted E. Bowling

During the ministry of Jesus Christ, one of the three occasions He raised someone from the dead was the young daughter of Jairus, a leader in the synagogue in Capernaum. Accounts of this astounding miracle are found in Matthew 9, Mark 5, and Luke 8. Focusing on Mark's account beginning in Mark 5:21, Jairus, who may have initially questioned Christ's new doctrine, faced a grave situation as his daughter became critically ill. When Jairus heard that Jesus was arriving by boat, he approached Him among a great multitude with a changed attitude, expressing faith that if Jesus laid hands on her, she would recover and live. Jesus, acknowledging Jairus' faith and urgency, went with him, followed by a thronging crowd. Jairus displayed remarkable humility by falling at Jesus' feet in front of the multitudes, imploring Him to save his daughter. As a powerful man in Capernaum, this act of vulnerability was striking, showing his willingness to sacrifice pride and position for his child's life. Despite the risk of losing respect and his role as a synagogue ruler, Jairus made a decisive choice to believe in Jesus, marking a point of no return. Along the way to Jairus' home, Jesus stopped to address another need, testing Jairus' patience as time grew critical. When news came that his daughter had died, family and friends ridiculed both Jairus and Jesus, yet Jesus moved to alleviate the situation. Jairus' faith was rewarded as he witnessed his child raised from the dead, leaving him and his wife overcome with great amazement. Jesus then commanded them strictly that no one should know of the miracle and instructed that something be given to the girl to eat. Jairus' story in Mark 5:21-43 exemplifies humility, patience, and faith. By publicly renouncing everything at Jesus' feet, he approached Him with sincerity and earnestness. Despite delays and dire circumstances, Jairus trusted Jesus, enduring in faith even when hope seemed lost.

Jairus

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Jairus, in effect, put his livelihood and status on the line, willing to give up everything for faith in the Son of God. Jairus' faith was tested twice.

The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Healing a Woman With a Flow of Blood

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Jesus' healing of the woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years is unique among His miraculous healings in that He healed her without speaking a word.

The Miracles of Jesus Christ: Raising a Widow's Son

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

The gospels present Jesus performing three resurrections, one of which is the raising of the widow's son. The episode shows the depth of Christ's compassion.

Resurrection AD 31

'Ready Answer' by Staff

Matthew 27:52 informs us that more than one resurrection occurred during Passover week in AD 31. Here is what we can glean from the Bible about this miracle.

Four Views of Christ (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus sets a pattern for us by serving without thought of authority, power, position, status, fame, or gain, but as a patient, enduring, faithful servant.