LESSON XIX.—SABBATH, MAY 12, 1894.
41. AND behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue; and he fell down at Jesus' feet, and besought him to come into his house; 42. For he had an only daughter, about twelve years of age, and she lay a-dying. But as he went the multitudes thronged him. 43. And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, and could not be healed of any, 44. Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment; and immediately the issue of her blood stanched. 45. And Jesus said, Who is it that touched me? And when all denied, Peter said, and they that were with him, Master, the multitudes press thee and crush thee. 46. But Jesus said, Someone did touch me; for I perceived that power had gone forth from me. 47. And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him declared in the presence of all the people for what cause she touched him, and how she was healed immediately. 48. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace. 49. While he yet spake, there cometh one from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying, Thy daughter is dead; trouble not the Master. 50. But Jesus hearing it, answered him, Fear not; only believe, and she shall be made whole. 51. And when he came to the house, he suffered not any man to enter in with him, save Peter, and John, and James, and the father of the maiden and her mother. 52. And all were weeping, and bewailing her; but he said, Weep not; for she is not dead, but sleepeth. 53. And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. 54. But he, taking her by the hand, called, saying, Maiden, arise.41555. And her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately; and he commanded that something be given her to eat. 56. And her parents were amazed; but he charged them to tell no man what had been done. 1. And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. 2. And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. 3. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats. 4. And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart. 5. And as many as receive you not, when ye depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them. 6. And they departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere. SINCE in this lesson we finish the eighth chapter, make a special review of the two preceding lessons. When you have mastered this lesson, you should be able to give a synopsis of the entire chapter. The present lesson is easily outlined, thus: Raising the ruler's daughter; restoring the woman with the issue of blood; sending out the twelve. - What ruler came to meet Jesus after his return from Gadara?
- What did he desire?
- How old was his daughter? and what was her condition?
- As Jesus went, what hindered his progress?
- Tell the circumstances of the woman who came behind Jesus as he went along.
- What did she do? and what was the result?.
- What did Jesus immediately ask?
- How did the apostles express their surprise at such a question?
- How was Jesus able to distinguish the poor woman's touch from all others?
- When the woman saw that Jesus knew about her, what did she do?
- What comforting assurance did she receive?
- While this was taking place, what message came from the ruler's house?
- What did Jesus say to encourage the father?
- Who only did Jesus allow to enter the house with him?
- What did he say to those who were bewailing?
- How did they receive this statement?
- Describe the raising of the maiden.
- After these things whom did Jesus send to preach?
- What power and authority did he give them?
- What were they to do as they preached the gospel?
- What charge were they given concerning provision for their journey?
- When they entered a house, what were they to do?
- What were they to do when they were not received?
- When they departed, what did they do?
1. "LET us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith." Heb. 10: 22. The crowd thronged Jesus, yet the poor, afflicted woman, who could only get near enough to touch the hem of his garment, was really nearer to him than anybody else in the whole company. It is faith that brings the soul near to God. 2. "SOMEBODY hath touched me; for I perceive that virtue is gone out of Me." Instead of "virtue," the Revised Version has "power," which is more forcible, and a more exact rendering. Christ is not only the wisdom of God, but he is the power of God. 1 Cor. 1: 24. Faith lays hold on that power and appropriates it. 3. MANY people think that faith is nothing but imagination. If that were all, why didn't it avail to heal the woman when she was being treated by the physicians? She showed her confidence in their skill by spending all her living upon them. Imagination, if properly acted upon, will cure an imaginary disease; but imagination cannot give back life that is actually departing, as it was from that woman. Moreover, Christ himself perceived that something had gone from him. It was not imagination that healed the woman; it was faith, and "faith is the substance of things hoped for." 4. WHAT was it that went from Christ to the afflicted woman?—It was just the thing that she stood in need of, and that was life. "The blood is the life," and that is what she was losing. As soon as she touched Jesus, "immediately her issue of blood stanched." She was made whole. Life from Jesus had followed that touch of faith, and filled her. This also was written "that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." John 20: 31. Christ "is our life." Col. 3: 4. He came to give life, not simply physical life, but spiritual life. This life is as real as the life he imparted to the woman, and is obtained in the same way. "I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." Gal. 2: 20. In this lesson we have a practical example of the reality of the work of faith. 5. CHRIST is the "firstborn from the dead." Col. 1: 18. And yet many were raised from the dead before his crucifixion and resurrection. Nevertheless, it is true that there is no resurrection of the dead except through the resurrection of Christ. 1 Cor. 15: 17, 18. He is the "Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." Rev. 13: 8. Then he must also be the Lamb raised from the dead from the foundation of the world. That this is the case he himself showed in the words, "I am the resurrection and the life." John 11: 25. So in all things he has the preëminence. There is no life but from him. 6. IN this lesson we have illustrated the pitying tenderness of Jesus. Let us not forget that in all this he was representing God to men. It was God's life and character that he was living. From this we see that God "delighteth in mercy." Micah 7: 18. It is he that is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities." He does not like to see sorrow and suffering, and so he gives his own perfect life for their removal. Who cannot fully trust that such a God will give him the very best things that the universe contains? 7. "HE called his twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils." This power was not given to the twelve alone, but to the seventy as well. Luke 10: 17. Neither did it cease with them, for he promised it even to the end of the world. Matt. 28: 18-20. And yet people mourn over the great power of Satan, and often make it an excuse for their failures. What matters it how strong Satan may be, or how numerous a host he may lead, since Christ has given his followers power over all devils? Mark, it is not simply power over one devil, but "over all devils." All the devils combined are not a match for the weakest soul who through faith is armed with the life of Christ. He has spoiled "principalities and powers." In chapter eight, we saw what power Christ had over a legion of devils. To man he has given the power so to resist Satan that he will flee in dismay, but only as man continues "steadfast in the faith."