The Touch of Jesus

¹⁸ While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

¹⁹ And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

²⁰ And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

²¹ For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

²² But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

²³ And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,

²⁴ He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

²⁵ But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

²⁶ And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

Matthew 9:18-26 (KJV)

Jesus makes all things new. His teaching that He is the new and His presence makes all things new.  Matthew tells us about two events that really are sandwiched together by timing and compassion. Both have to do with Jesus touching those afflicted. The first is, “if I can just get Jesus to come and touch my daughter she will live.” The second, “if I can just touch Jesus I will be made well.”

In touching someone Jesus is showing that He is a personal and tender Savior. To touch conveys love.

Jesus, if you touch my daughter, she will be made new.

Jairus was a ruler of the synagogue in Capernaum. His daughter was dead. What began as a desperate trip for healing now, has become a quest for resurrection. He has seen Jesus heal those who were sick. He’s heard the accounts of how Jesus could touch the leper and say, “I am willing be healed.” Now, the news was devastating. How much authority and power does Jesus really have? He can heal but can He raise the dead?

This ruler kneels before Jesus.  As powerful as Jairus is, he realizes his power is very puny compared to this Man whom he approaches in desperate humility.

Our Lord responds to even the least amount of faith because He knows if it is true faith, even a small amount, it has been given by God His Father.

So, Jesus doesn’t discuss anything with Jairus but immediately begins to go with him to raise his daughter from the dead.

If I just touch Jesus, I will be made new.

And instantly, the woman was made well. If you read Mark and Luke’s report, the little girl who has died was twelve years old and this woman had been suffering with this bleeding disease for twelve years. Her case, humanly speaking, was impossible, nothing worked. She was also considered unclean. She could not go to the synagogue to worship. 

It’s interesting that Jairus was the ruler of the synagogue (Mark 5:22), and this woman was unable to go to that same place of worship. Was Jairus the one who enforced this Levitical law? Had they met before? Had he possibly sent her away?

His response is words of tender compassion, “Take heart, daughter; your faith has made you well.” Our Lord explains to her that there is nothing magic about His garment but her faith is what healed her.

Jesus touched the young girl and she was made new.

Jesus tells everyone that she is asleep and not dead.  Jesus didn’t wake her from her afternoon nap but miraculously raised her from the dead. When Jesus told them this, they literally laughed at Him as to make fun of Him. They knew she was dead. Jesus uses this language to show that with His healing touch it’s like she is sleeping.

With everyone out, Jesus takes her hand and the same authority and power that just healed the woman raises this twelve-year-old from the dead. 

Here again, it was not lawful to touch a dead body. A dead body would make you unclean. Our Lord reaches out and touches her, taking her by the hand and she is made new. (Numbers 19:11)

In Christ, we have been made new. We have been healed from our sin disease. There is no human remedy, no cure that mankind can come up with that heals is of our sin sickness. (Psalm 103:2-3)

Jesus’ miracles point past the event to deeper truths.

• Show us Jesus’ power and confirm His teaching. (John 3:1–2, Hebrews 2:4)
• Show us the kingdom of God is here and expanding. (Matthew 12:28)

One miracle is still being practiced today. God’s good news is still being preached. This is the way God expands His kingdom here and now. Every time the gospel is shared and the Holy Spirit awakens a heart and plants saving faith, within God’s Kingdom is added to.