Matthew 9:18

THREE MIRACLES. -- Matthew 9:18-31.

GOLDEN TEXT. -- According to your faith be it unto you. -- Matthew 9:29. TIME. --A. D. 28. PLACE. --Capernaum. HELPFUL READINGS. -- Matthew 9:9-17; Mark 5:22-43; Luke 8:41-56; Mark 10:46-52. LESSON ANALYSIS. --1. Death in the House; 2. The Woman's Faith. 3. The Dead Made Alive; 4. The Blind See.

INTRODUCTION.

One always loves to think of the surrounding circumstances of this miracle--Christ called to the ruler's house filled with mourning and death, with his heart absorbed in the great work which lay before him. The thronging press of the people is around him, curious and expectant. But nothing, far off or near, future or present, can shut out from him the appeal of misery. He is, always and everywhere, alive to. suppliant's touch. His very garment, to its hem, is instinct with his own spirit and sensitive to the most trembling hand. It is not less so now far up in heaven. The place which increases the sympathy of all hearts that enter there has not diminished, his. His garment, wide spread and dropping low, is near our hand, and he feels. sinner's and. sufferer's touch upon his throne, with circle on circle of glory gathering round him, and saints and angels thronging in. He came down that, in his nearness to our misery, we might learn to know his heart, and he rose that we might be assured of his power to help and heal. So let us seek to read this incident and consider what it teaches.-- Ker.

I. DEATH IN THE HOUSE.

18. While he spake these things unto them.

Having been besought by the Gadarenes to leave their country, Christ passes over the lake, again to the western side, to Capernaum, where he was immediately surrounded by the multitude, who had been waiting for him. He healed the paralytic and then being invited by Matthew to. feast at his house, he there held conversation with some Pharisees, and afterwards with some disciples of John (Matthew 9:10-17). While yet speaking with them, Jairus,. ruler of the Capernaum synagogue, came to him, praying him to heal his daughter.

There came. certain ruler.

One of the rulers of the synagogue (probably of the synagogue of Capernaum). One of the elders and presiding officers, who convened the assembly, preserved order, invited readers and speakers. Mark says his name was Jairus.

Worshiped.

Reverenced him by falling at his feet; not necessarily denoting divine worship. With beautiful Oriental facility, he would drop upon his knees, and bring his forehead to to the ground, in the direction of the Savior's feet.

My daughter is even now dead.

Luke says she was twelve years old. Mark and Luke speak of her as dying when her father came, and Matthew as already dead. Yet these differences are not hard to adjust: he left her at the last gasp; he knew that she could scarcely be living now; and yet, having no certain notices of her death, he in one moment expressed himself in one language, at the next in another.-- Trench.

Come; lay thy hand on her.

The language of the original is peculiar and broken, indicating great emotion. The best explanation is: He states the condition of his daughter "in order that coming thou mayest lay thy hands on her, in order that she may be made whole and live." He thus expresses his faith.-- Schaff. Here is an instance of prayer for. temporal benefit; and that prayer which the ruler offered for his daughter twelve years of age, you may offer for your relatives.. have often said that in prayer we are to express to God every want that we feel, temporal, spiritual, or eternal. It is not your part to discriminate, and say, "I will not pray for this blessing, lest it be not for my good." It is the prerogative of Him who gives the blessing to determine what is for your good, and what is not. You pray for the blessing you most need, and leave God to give when and how he pleases.-- Cumming.