Matthew 9:18-26 (KJV)  While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshiped 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.

I don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow. Going through this Coronavirus Pandemic every day some “trustworthy source” proves itself wrong. As widespread testing of the Coronavirus increases the doctors and scientists are discovering that many more people have the virus than previously reported. Many people are asymptomatic, which means they carry the virus but never suffer from it. A CNBC.com report I read had these headlines:

“Coronavirus Antibody Testing Shows LA County Outbreak Is Up To 55 Times Bigger Than Reported Cases”

One article I read noted that only about .5% of those infected would die – a much lower rate than was previously reported. Confusion abounds. Businesses are collapsing because of quarantine standards. Our economy is in tatters. What should we do?

I suggest we look unto Jesus. Jesus can fix our souls. Jesus can heal our hurts. Jesus can raise our nation out of the ashes. Let’s look unto Jesus!

Jairus Looked Unto Jesus

In today’s message two people are facing overwhelming problems. The first of these is called by Matthew simply “a ruler”, but Mark tells us that he is …

Mark 5:22-23 … there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, 23 And besought him greatly …

Jairus is one of the rulers of the Synagogue, the local Church of Jesus’ day. His name is very interesting. The name “Jairus” means “Yahweh has enlightened”. I suspect that Jairus as a leader in the Synagogue was probably a Pharisee. The Pharisees were Jesus’ most outspoken opponents. Earlier in the day the Pharisees attacked Jesus for eating with Tax Collectors and Sinners (Matthew 9:11). But Jairus was not one of the attackers. Do you know why?

Because his little girl dying. In Mark Jairus says:

Mark 5:23 … my little daughter lieth at the point of death …

In Matthew he says:

Matthew 9:18 … My daughter is even now dead

We are told in Luke 8:42 … {Jairus} had one only daughter, about twelve years of age.

Anytime a parent loses a child it is horrible, but it is particularly painful when that child is young, with so much life left before her. One of the greatest of horrors is to have a child suffering and be unable to help that precious baby. We all believe that our children should outlive us. I don’t know why that is, for death grips both young and old. The Coronavirus is no respector of persons – it infects any who come in contact with it. Disease is not racist or particular. Did you know that every year in the US around 15,780 children between the ages of birth and 19 years old are diagnosed with cancer. Age is no protection against the corruption of life. Adam introduced sin into the world and death by sin. Medical science cannot cure sin – but Jesus can!

Jairus is a big man – an important man. But he comes to Jesus BROKEN. He came to the Master not arrogantly, but in humility. He came on bended knee worshiping Jesus Christ. The other Pharisees picked at and found flaw with the Lord.

Jairus worshiped Jesus (Matthew 9:18).
Jairus begged Jesus (Mark 5:23).
Jairus fell down at Jesus’ feet (Luke 8:41).

What humbled Jairus? It is this disease his daughter – his only daughter – has. I’m Jairus has tried everything he can to fix his daughter. I’m sure he sought out the best doctors. I’m sure he had all those of the Synagogue praying with him. Nothing worked. “My baby is so close to death, that I’ve given up. Jesus I beg of You, come!”

Why does a Loving God allow such things to happen? Though God does not invent the terrible things we face, God allows all things, controls all things. God is on His throne. Where is God in this Coronavirus Pandemic? He is where He has always been. God told the Prophet:

Isaiah 46:9-13 … I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, 10 Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: 11 Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. 12 Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: 13 I bring near my righteousness…

The God I serve and I hope you serve does all His will. There is nothing that takes His control away. The Reformer Martin Luther said:

“Even the devil is God’s devil”

Our God is in control. He loves the world, and gave His Son’s life for it. So why does this loving God – this all powerful Creator – allow the Pandemics, the Cancers, the suffering? To draw us to Jesus.

Earlier in the day Jesus spoke a parable to His disciples about a sower who sowed his seed:

Luke 8:5-8 … A sower went out to sow his seed: and as he sowed, some fell by the way side; and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air devoured it. 6 And some fell upon a rock; and as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it lacked moisture. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. 8 And other fell on good ground, and sprang up, and bare fruit an hundredfold. And when he had said these things, he cried, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Jesus explained the parable by noting the seed sown is the Word of God.

• Some of that seed “falls on the wayside – and the devil comes along and takes the word out of their hearts lest they should believe and be saved” (Luke 8:12).
• Some of that seed “falls on rocky soil. They receive the Word of God with joy, but have NO ROOT, and during time of trial fall away. (Luke 8:13).
• Some of that seed “falls among thorns, and is choked out with the things of this world, worries, riches, and pleasures (Luke 8:14).
• But PRAISE GOD, some seed “falls on good ground”. Do you know what “good ground” is? It is broken up. It is plowed. It is a place where all weeds are removed, pulled out, or burned off. Good ground is ground that has been afflicted, turned, rowed, cleaned. Trials bring us to a place where we look to Jesus.

Beloved, we must look to Jesus. As a nation we must look to Jesus. Jesus is the One Who sits enthroned, the God Man Who says:

Revelation 21:5 (KJV) … He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new …

Jesus came to make all things new. He is the Bridegroom of His Church, a people saved by Grace, a regenerated people, a people who have a Master Who has conquered death. Jesus is not a patch, but the solution for sin. He brings in the Kingdom of God on the earth.

• Suffering Makes Us SELFLESS, Whereas Prosperity Makes Us SELFISH. Jairus was selfless when He came to Jesus. He wanted relief, the healing of his daughter, and what others thought or said no longer mattered.

We each will be tried. Today we are tried by the Coronavirus. Tomorrow, there will be more trials from other sources. They come to all. Sickness comes. Disease strikes. Remember the Scripture:

Luke 14:11 For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

1 Peter 5:5-7 … be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

Jairus put aside all pride and fell down before Jesus. The Creator says:

Isaiah 66:2 (KJV) For all those things hath mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith the LORD: but TO THIS MAN WILL I LOOK, even to him that is POOR AND OF A CONTRITE SPIRIT, AND TREMBLETH AT MY WORD.

God honors those who understand that He is God. Christ honors those who realize He is the Great I AM. We are not gods, but God is God. Jesus Christ is God in the flesh. Oh God, humble us. Teach us to rely upon Jesus. Teach us to look unto Him Who said …

Jeremiah 33:3 ^(KJV) Call unto Me, and I WILL ANSWER THEE, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

• Jairus came to Jesus believing. Worshiping Jesus he said:

Matthew 9:18 (KJV) … but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

Jairus said: “You lay hands on her Jesus and she SHALL LIVE”. That is faith. He believed Jesus was able, and would not entertain any doubt. Jairus’ daughter was at the point of death, but he wasn’t out pursuing doctors and other gods. He had his eyes only on Jesus.

When Pastor John Wesley was but 5 years old his family home caught fire. A servant named Betty went to the nursery to get the youngest children. Picking up the little ones, including Charles who was barely a year old, she called to 5-year-old Jacky (young John Wesley) and told him to follow her to safety. When she arrived in the garden, however, Jacky was missing. Seeing the flames, the young boy ran back into the room. Though his father tried to reach him, the flames prevented him. The family knelt down in the Garden and “prayed God to receive his soul”. Little John looked out the window, and yelled for help. Two neighbors – one standing on the shoulders of the other – was able to reach John and pull him to safety. God used this trial to shape John into the wonderful preacher he would one day become.

Oh America, that you would all look to Jesus in this time. He is able to bless you even in the midst of trial.

You Are Never Alone – There Is Jesus!

Listening to Jairus, our Lord Jesus heads toward his home. His twelve year old daughter is at death’s door. But something else happens. We are told in Luke’s account:

Luke 8:42-44 … {Jairus} had one only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a dying. But as {Jesus} went the people thronged him. 43 And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, 44 Came behind {Jesus} …

Jairus’ daughter was twelve years old. But here is another woman – a woman all alone – who has had an issue of blood for twelve years – every bit as long as that little girl was alive. Is this a coincidence? I don’t think so.

Jairus has set himself apart from the other
Pharisees by approaching Jesus.
This woman has been alone – set apart because of her disease.
Both people could only look to Jesus!

Matthew 9:19 … a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

The Law of Moses declared that women with “issues of blood” were unclean – and thus would have been quarantined from her family and friends.

Leviticus 15:25-27 And if a woman have an issue of her blood many days out of the time of her separation, or if it run beyond the time of her separation; all the days of the issue of her uncleanness shall be as the days of her separation: she shall be unclean. 26 Every bed whereon she lieth all the days of her issue shall be unto her as the bed of her separation: and whatsoever she sitteth upon shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her separation. 27 And whosoever toucheth those things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the even.

If this woman were married her husband could not touch her. If she had children prior to this event her children could not embrace her. It was if she were a leper – anything she touched was unclean, and anyone who touched her was unclean.

Matthew 9:20 (KJV) …a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years ..

This poor woman had suffered this disease – whatever it was – for twelve years! She had tried everything to get relief. We are told in the parallel Gospel that she ….

Mark 5:26 {she} had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

She “suffered many things from the physicians”. There are good doctors, and there are bad doctors – but Jesus Christ is the BEST Doctor. He is the Great Physician. He can do what no others can do. I respect doctors, nurses, and hospitals – but make sure you invite Jesus into the process when you are sick and go to the medical profession. Doctors do not know all things, but Christ does. This woman “spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse”. Let us look unto Jesus! He calls us,

Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV) Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (29) Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. (30) For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

God does not despise the lowly, but embraces them. He lifts up the weak, and those who will come to Christ and Christ alone. The Gospel Plow we call pain has brought this woman to Jesus. We read:

Matthew 9:20-21 (KJV) … 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.

She “came behind Jesus” because the Law forbade her from touching anyone, lest she make them unclean. So she quietly reached out believing that “If I can but touch His garment then I shall be made whole”. Her faith was rewarded. The Bible says in …

Mark 5:29 (KJV) And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

Immediately the woman was healed! Mark tells us that Jesus asked “Who touched Me?” The disciples said “But Lord, there’s people all around You touching You. How can we tell who touched You?” But Jesus can tell. He looks around and sees that certain woman. Look what the Bible says:

Mark 5:33 (KJV) But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

Saving Faith is not hidden.
Saving Faith falls down before the Savior.
If your faith lies down to hide, then your faith is a lie.

Jesus knows His Sheep! Has He not said:

2 Timothy 2:19 … The Lord knoweth them that are his.

John 10:27-28 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

If you are Christ’s then you may be saved in secret, but it will not stay a secret. There are many in our world today that think they are saved, but are ashamed to stand up for Jesus. This woman made her faith known. Our Lord has said:

Matthew 10:32-33 ^(KJV) Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. (33) But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Jesus looked at this precious lady and said:

Matthew 9:22 (KJV) {Jesus said} DAUGHTER, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

When Jesus called her “Daughter” He was acknowledging that she is of the household of God, a child of God by faith in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:19; Galatians 3:26).

What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought
Since Jesus came into my heart;
I have light in my soul for which long I have sought,
Since Jesus came into my heart.
Since Jesus came into my heart,
Since Jesus came into my heart;
Floods of joy o’er my soul like the sea billows roll,
Since Jesus came into my heart.

Why Did God Have This Healing
Come In The Midst Of Jairus’ Need?

God is in control. Though Jesus paused to bless this woman, He was nonetheless headed toward Jairus’ home.

Matthew 9:23 (KJV) 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.

“Oh Jesus, you’re too late! If You had been here on time my daughter would not have died!” I can hear them now, mocking Jesus, finding fault with Jesus. But Jesus says,

She is not dead. She just sleeps!

Mark tells us in chapter 5:35-37 that Jesus sent everyone away but Peter, James, and John. These three men would be the leaders of Christ’s Church, and Jesus wanted them to know that nothing is too hard for Christ to do. Then we read:

Matthew 9:25-26 (KJV) But when the people were put forth, {Jesus} went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. 26 And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

The unbelievers had to get out of the room. Once they were gone, Jesus raised that child from death. Christ is able! Our God is able! He can raise the dead. He can give life to the spiritually dead. Christ is able! The great Evangelist Billy Graham once said:

“Faith literally means to give up, surrender, or commit. Faith is complete confidence. Fear can banish faith, but faith can banish fear.

Do you know Christ? Do you have faith in Him? Will you approach Him with your needs, and believe He is able to abundantly provide to those who trust in Him. There is nothing our Lord cannot do. Trust Him. Believe Him. Bring your lives to Him, and believe.

May God touch your hearts with His Word and His Spirit.