Lesson 26 luke 8:40- 56Jairus's Daughter Raised Up from the Dead

The Daughter and Woman are Healed 8:40- 48

English Standard Version (Chapter 8)

40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. 41 And there came a man named Jairus, who was a ruler of the synagogue. And falling at Jesus’ feet, he implored him to come to his house, 42 for he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.

As Jesus went, the people pressed around him. 43 And there was a woman who had had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and though she had spent all her living on physicians, she could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased.

45 And Jesus said, “Who was it that touched me?” When all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds surround you and are pressing in on you!” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me.” 47 And when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people why she had touched him, and how she had been immediately healed.

48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”

At this point in the gospel narrative, the scene shifts to back across the water from the Gerasene area (Now when Jesus returned,). They have left the demon possessed man to tell everyone of his conversion experience and now new situations await Jesus and the disciples after they get off the boat. A crowd had been awaiting his arrival. The word spread quickly, even before the arrival of Facebook posts and Instagram! The crowd here was more enthused about Jesus being there rather than the “get out of here” atmosphere across the bay in the Gerasenes.

Jesus Responds to a Fathers Cry for Help! 8:40- 42

The ruler of the local synagogue, Jairus, had a very sick daughter that needed the healing touch from Jesus. The “ruler” was not necessarily a rabbi, but rather more like an worship/activity manager of the synagogue. He took care of the daily tasks, whether it be the Sabbath services or office duties that required official attention. The “ruler” was an official of not only the synagogue, but they were held in high esteem throughout the area. One commentary said it was a position of eminence. His plea was literal begging and begging done in earnest.

Ernest was the state of his plea, because she was an only child. He could probably sense her future slipping through his fingers. Jairus is thinking “I’m not too proud to beg sweet darlin.’” 12 year-olds have taken a large share of an adult’s life in taking care of them so the bond is especially strong. He pleads, please come to my home, my daughter is dying.

The Detour of Another Pressing Sickness 8:43-48

As they are saying here in verse 42, the crowd was putting on the pressure. This was an “in your face” moment. I would imagine she is so desperate that this is almost a woman accosting the Lord Jesus. But to her surprise, she is healed as she touched Him. This a a lady who has seen and heard it all according to her condition. Her friends probably had driven her crazy with all of their online cures and miracle foods and workouts. Nothing worked. Cash was used to the point of bankruptcy. This would not have attracted the sympathy of a lot of men because this was female problem. No matter what, all she had to do was touch the hem of His garment.

Boom! The problem stopped. When Jesus asked “who touched me?” I’m sure He already knew who touched Him but he was looking for someones verbal “yes” of faith. The healing took the power of God to complete (I know power has gone out from me!) It caused her to fall down in front of Him. In the presence of all the people, she told the reason for why she had touched Him. Immediate healing resulted. Jesus simply says, in effect, we need to do nothing more, “your faith has saved you! Go in peace.

Meanwhile, back at the House of Jairus 8:49- 56

The Lexham English Bible (Chapter 8)

49 While* he was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue ruler’s house, saying, “Your daughter is dead! Trouble the Teacher no longer!” 50 But Jesus, when he* heard this,* replied to him, “Do not be afraid! Only believe, and she will be healed.” 51 Now when he* came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him except Peter and John and James and the father and mother of the child. 52 And they were all weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep! For she is not dead, but is sleeping.” 53 And they began laughing* at him, because they* knew that she was dead. 54 But he took her hand and* called, saying, “Child, get up.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately, and he ordered something* to be given to her to eat. 56 And her parents were astonished, but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.

This was the scenario of “too little, was too late. The girl was already dead. When Jesus entered the house, He did not take everyone along. It probably would have been too crowded. There were six total: Jesus, Peter, John, James, and the child’s father and mother. Jairus got a Father’s day gift that would never be forgotten. His daughter would be raised from the dead. It would be a story in the New Testament that a lot of Christians can enjoy today. The weeping and mourning were about to be crushed by words of hope from Jesus! Stop the crying, she is not dead, but is sleeping. The people laughed because they knew she was dead.

I think Jesus took great pleasure in silencing their laughter by saying, “child, Get up!” The death of the vision that Jairus had for his daughter growing up vanishes in a moment as Jesus says “get up!” Hope and life returns to the picture. When Jesus enters the room, hope always returns. Death cannot stay victorious when Jesus enters the picture. She was given something to eat, proving she was the real deal and not just a spirit. Her parents are amazed, but Jesus says to keep it quiet. Jesus actually took care of spreading the word, centuries afterward. The unnamed daughter arises after her spirit returned. Yes her spirit had left, but it’s back to earth and life with Dad and mom! Case closed. The miracles just keep on coming as Jesus moves about the room, the landscape, across the bay, or where ever He pleases. Death becomes the victim and Jesus moves on to bigger and better things.