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There’s a story about a married couple: Sherlock & Sally. One late night, there was a thunderstorm and the couple was asleep in bed. It was about 3am and they heard what they thought was a knock on the door. As the couple woke, they looked at each other and Sally suggested they wait a minute to discern if it was the rain taps or thunder. Eventually they heard the knocking again, but this time louder. It was clear, Sherlock would have to walk downstairs to see who was at their door at such a late hour.

As Sherlock opened the door, there was a disturbed man screaming frantically. He kept asking for a push: “Can you give me a push? Please sir, I just need a push!” Sherlock observed the frantic man was intoxicated, so he told him to get away from the house or he would call the police. He slammed and locked the door, and went back to bed.

Sally asked her husband, “Who was at the door?” Sherlock responded, “Oh, it was just some intoxicated man who must have ran out of gas and was asking for a push. I told him to get away.” Sally gasped. “Sherlock, you have a short memory. Don’t you remember a few months ago when we were driving home from our daughter’s house? You thought you could fill up in the morning, but we ran out of gas and those neighbors down the street helped us about 10pm at night. Sherlock, God would want you to help that man. Besides, if he’s intoxicated, you need to call him a ride.” Sherlock thought for a moment, and he knew Sally was right. She’s always right. So, he puts on clothes and walks outside. It was dark and rainy, so Sherlock couldn’t see anything. He yells, “Hello. Are you still out there?” Hearing a response, “Yes!” “Do you still need help?” “Yes!” “Where are you?” And the response surprises Sherlock, with the man saying, “I’m sitting over here on the swing.”

Just think about it… I’m sure you’ll get it in a second. You see, we live in a world where people need all sorts of help.

A person can arrive unannounced on your doorstep seeking assistance. Or, you may get a phone call from a loved one, an email from a friend, or perhaps even a letter from an organization seeking support.

Regardless, this world has multiple pressures and complex problems that can be difficult to prioritize or discern if it is within our means or responsibility to help. And while we sometimes try to help, it is often the case that we sit back and determine that someone else will help. So, we pass by people who are hurting, hopeless, and suffering.

But not Jesus. Jesus looks upon the abundant troubles of the world and He can handle each one.

EXAMINE        Matthew 9:18-38

Review

• Disciples enter a storm (8:23-27). We learn that faith in Jesus is not storm-free but storm-proof. Life has its hardships. Challenges come. Obstacles arise and difficulty develops, but if Jesus is in our boat, then we can keep rowing and trust Jesus to provide peace and get us to the other side.
• Demons are a reality (8:28-34). There’s always something which people are in bondage & living among the tombs of life. Thankfully, we learn that Jesus has the power with a single word to rescue & supply a fresh start.
• Outsiders are welcome (9:9-13). Though Matthew was a tax-collector and sinner, Jesus invited him to become a disciple. Following Jesus means spending time with those who are spiritually sick. Jesus offers every outsider the opportunity to become a friend with a redeemed purpose.

Today’s passage reveals that no problem is too substantial, and no misery should keep us hiding in secret. Jesus is accessible, able, and generously compassionate.

Between Matthew 8-9, there are recorded 10 different miracles in a short amount of time. So, this instance is summarized, and the other Gospels (Mk 5/Lk8) provide additional detail.

Our faith in Jesus is deepened in our desperation.

^{Mt 9:18} behold, a ruler came in and knelt before Jesus, saying,
“My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.” ¹⁹ And Jesus rose and followed him, with his disciples.

While Matthew’s Gospel indicates an unnamed ruler, Mark’s Gospel communicates the synagogue ruler’s name was Jairus. Jairus kneels at the feet of Jesus, and this posture indicates not only reverence but desperation. The other Jews were unsettled with Jesus and determining He was a heretic at best, or at worst demonic (9:34). Yet, Jairus, a leader of a local synagogue, likely having exhausted all options to help his 12-year old daughter, turns to Jesus.^[1]

News of Jesus’ healing power had certainly been spreading. Yet, raising the dead was above and beyond anything ever imagined. Jairus is like any parent, attempting to move heaven and earth for answers.
He is begging Jesus to resolve an unsolvable issue.

Illus

• Pastors humbly stand over bedsides or sit across from parents who experience devastating health news. Every pastor is human and are moved with empathy and tears as they attempt to offer words of consolation and prayer for God’s intervention.
• My own case with my 4^th daughter when she was 1-year old having a softball size mass removed from her body. After emergency surgery at one hospital, she was rushed to D.C. Children’s Hospital where she spent over a week fighting for her life. As parents, we held hands and listened to doctors, but most of all we prayed to the Great Physician for healing mercy and life-giving grace. Thankfully, our spitfire might be the youngest of sisters but she has the loudest of roars and is adored by her younger brother… most days.

Jairus’ prayer request appears to be answered as Jesus travels to the home of this deceased daughter with promise that she will live.

Some takeaways about Jesus hearing our prayers:

• Pray in emergencies but also pray for the everyday. Prayer is not just talking to God about big burdens occasionally but little loads continually and all circumstances gratefully. We often have not because we ask not.
  • Jesus frequently said “ask whatever you wish according to God’s name & kingdom” (Mt 7:7; 21:21; Mk 11:24; Jn 14:14; 15:7)
  • 2 Chron 16:9 “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.”
  • Pr 15:29 “The Lord hears the prayers of the righteous”
  • Ps 145:18 “The Lord is near to all who call on him”
  • Jeremiah 33:3 “Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things.”
  • Hebrews 4:16 “Let us with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and grace in our time of need.”

• Pray with submission.
  • When God says “no,” then we should resolve not to sulk & stew but serve what we already know to be His will.
  • Waiting on God is not just about what we can get but who we are becoming.   

Waiting on God is not just about what we can get but who we are becoming.   

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• Another practical application is learning to ask others for help. Sometimes we wait until the snowball has become an avalanche before we make it known we have an issue. Other times we assume others are mind-readers and we bask in grumbling festivities. Too often we enjoy being short-tempered and sharp with others. We must learn asking for help is not a sign of frailty but of humanity. Our faith in Jesus is deepened in our desperation.

Our faith in Jesus is advanced with ordinary actions.

^{Mt 9:20} And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for twelve years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, ²¹ for she said to herself,
“If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.” ²² Jesus turned, and seeing her he said, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And instantly the woman was made well.

While on the way to the home of Jairus, there was a great crowd that followed Jesus. It is probable there was a company of people attending with Jairus. It is also likely the streets were crowded with travelers. Along the way Jesus encounters a woman. She is also noted to have a grave condition.

She was suffering physically. She has had a discharge of blood for 12 years. Scholars note that this unknown condition may have been some sort of tumors on her uterus causing physical pain and visible bleeding.

She was socially burdened. According to OT ceremonial laws, she was unclean (Lev 15:25; 15:19-27). And anything or anyone she touched was unclean, so no one would intentionally spend time around her. The Talmud listed multiple remedies for this sort of illness; some odd potions and other superstitious foolishness. This woman likely tried some of these remedies, along with many other physicians with whom she spent all her money, but no one could help her (Mk 5:26; Lk 8:43). Can you imagine the repeated disappointment for 12-years?

She was wholly desperate. Like Jairus, she had heard the reports about Jesus. She positioned herself in the path where Jesus was walking, and she reached out to touch the fringe of His garment. “For she said, ‘If I only touch his garment, I will be made well.’ And instantly she was made well (Mt 9:21-22).

This was a simple yet profound act. In the Mosaic Law, God instructed Israelites to make tassels on the corners of garments. The prayer shawl garment has tassels/fringes, which the Jewish word (tzitzit) has a numerical value of 600 (cf. Nu 15:38–41, Dt 22:12 for the four corners of one’s outer garment; and Jesus’ words in Mt 23:5).^[2] Each of the fringes contain 8 threads and 5 knots, making a total of 613; which corresponds to the number of commandments contained in the Torah.

Even further, in ancient times, the corner hem of a garment represented a person’s identity. This is seen a handful of times in the Bible:

• When Ruth sought marriage to Boaz, asking him to spread the corner of his garment over her (Ru3:9).
• When David cut off a corner of King Saul’s robe that identified Saul and his kingship (1Sam 24:5)
• The Lord promised to spread His garment over Israel, as in a marriage covenant (Ezekiel 16:8)
• Malachi prophecies of the Messiah having “healing in his wings/corners of a garment” (Mal 4:2).

So, the woman’s reach for the fringe of Jesus’ garment was her faith in the identity of Jesus as the Messiah. She believed the presence of God rested with Jesus and the power of God could flow through Him. And in a moment, Jesus’ kindness gushes forth: “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” (Mt. 9:22) 12 years of physical pain and emotional suffering were all healed in a moment with Jesus. His words “Take heart (θάρσει)” imply courage and strength. In other words, Jesus recognizes her pain and grief have been overwhelming, but her faith has helped her endure.   

Some takeaways…

• Unfortunately, suffering is an expected consequence of a fallen world, but it’s also mystery for why and how it occurs among individuals. When we see individuals suffering, sometimes the best thing we have to offer is to sit with them in silence. Let them know they are seen, they are loved, and your prayers are for them. Knowing that others see and support you, help you to persevere in difficulty.  

• Like the woman spending 12 years in dead-end remedies, we too must stop choosing paths that don’t end with Jesus. 
  • Students waiting to follow God should act now since you’re not promised tomorrow.
  • Singles & singles again who “missionary date” thinking, “I can make this one change.” No, you can’t. Tell them to love Jesus before they love you; they’ll love you even more.
  • Parents who avoid confronting issues, even knowing a crisis is looming… if your love is not also informed by truth, then the love you have for children is really about your self-comfort than their good or God’s glory.
  • What other dead-end remedies are at play in your life? Turn to Jesus!

• Ultimately, faith isn’t always a bold move like sprinting in front of a train to save a puppy. Faith is more often simple acts of obedience like making a meal, listening to a friend cry, praying each day – even when life is hard, or speaking up to share Jesus when no one else wants to acknowledge His existence. Our faith in Jesus is advanced with ordinary actions.

Our faith in Jesus is strengthened when we filter the wrong voices.

^{Mt 9:23} And when Jesus came to the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, ²⁴ he said, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” And they laughed at him. ²⁵ But when the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose.

At this point, Jairus is thinking… “Ahem! What about my daughter?!?” When Jesus finally reaches Jairus’ house, there were flute players and public grievers. The Mishnah instructed, “Even the poorest in Israel should hire not less than two flues and one wailing woman (Ketub 4:4); so, for the daughter of a synagogue ruler, the would have been much more than that, along with relatives and friends.^[3]

Jesus filters out the funeral voices saying, “Go away, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” While the family is hopeless, the critics are heckling, but Jesus is unfazed. Jesus doesn’t focus on the problem but the solution.
– – – Too many times we amplify the problem rather than illuminate explanations and spotlight solutions.

Our faith in Jesus is strengthened when we filter the wrong voices. Too many times we amplify problems and critics rather than illuminate explanations and spotlight solutions.

Jesus takes the child’s hand and speaks: “Talitha cumi,” which means “Little girl, I say to you arise” (Mk 5:42).

Like the woman having 12-years of suffering, Jairus had a delay in his daughter’s healing. Yet, based on their willingness to persevere in following Jesus, their faith was rewarded. Can you imagine if Jairus listened to the critical commentary and not persevered with Jesus? He would have had to plan a funeral rather than throw a party with the smiles and celebration of their daughter.

• Where are you tempted to give up and listen to the critics, but Jesus is calling you to persevere? In life and faith, we will endure those who laugh and mock us. But followers of Jesus will be the last ones smiling – I don’t say that condescendingly, but in effort to bring contentment to those facing current hardships.

Our faith in Jesus is validated with our vocal testimony.

²⁶ And the report of this went through all that district.²⁷ And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” ²⁸ When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” ²⁹ Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” ³⁰ And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.” ³¹ But they went away and spread his fame through all that district…

The last of 10 miracles are healing two blind men and then another who was demonically oppressed (vv.32-34). As the blind men received word that Jesus was near, they cried out for mercy and acknowledged Jesus as the Son of David. They were voicing faith that Jesus is more than a kind helper or marvelous healer, but that Jesus was the Messiah from God. And Jesus opened their eyes.

Jesus warned the previous blind men not to broadcast the healing because His aim went beyond admiration for physical healing to adoration for spiritual worship. Jesus wants us to see Him not as a genie to grant our wishes but as God to rescue us from stubborn and sinful hearts.

• Let us always affirm Jesus as the source of blessings and answered prayers.

APPLY/THINK

³⁵ And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; ³⁸ therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

We can view people as problems and burdens, or we can see them as harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Thankfully, Jesus had compassion for us, and it’s His compassion that compels us to labor in the harvest for more souls.

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^[1] Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 228.

^[2] Donald A. Hagner, Matthew 1–13, vol. 33A, Word Biblical Commentary (Dallas: Word, Incorporated, 1993), 249.

^[3] Leon Morris, The Gospel according to Matthew, The Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids, MI; Leicester, England: W.B. Eerdmans; Inter-Varsity Press, 1992), 231.