Life has been jam-packed for Jesus. He has taught the parables, stilled the storm on the Lake of Galilee, healed the demonized man, and now returns by boat to the shore near Capernaum. News of Jesus's return spread far and wide. What would be His next miracle, many wondered? The crowd came for a show, and God was not going to disappoint. If it was possible for one more Israelite to become a believer, Jesus was ready. 

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Jesus put aside any weariness that He had, gathered the twelve, and might have been thinking, “Let’s go home.” Capernaum, a short walk from the seashore, was a haven for northern Jewish leaders that chose a quieter life way from Jerusalem.  

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As Jesus and the twelve walked toward Capernaum, the crowd scattered to let the pushy Jairus through. Knowing the accusations religious leaders made against Jesus, many in the crowd wandered what angry words might come from this

leader of  Capernaum’s synagogue.

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Then the crowd was shocked, when “He fell at His feet, and begged Jesus earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come lay your hands on her that she may be healed, and she will live.’” (Mark 5:22-23).  For Jairus, his worst nightmare, the death of his daughter brought Jairus to his knees. 

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The growing crowd followed, more out of curiosity than expecting a miracle. Death was the insurmountable challenge everyone faced. The end of Jairus daughter’s life was only a matter of “when?” Still, Jesus accepted the challenge; on to Capernaum! 

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From within the crowd, one woman believed in the power Jesus’s touch. The last twelve years had been one disaster upon another controlled by the constant hemorrhaging and bleeding. By Jewish regulations, she was considered unclean and would pollute any person she touched or who touched her. “By the very law of her people, she was divorced from her husband and could not live in her home; she was ostracized from all society and must not come into contact with her old friends; she was excommunicated from the services at the synagogue and thus shut out from the women’s courts in the Temple." (Morgan, enduringword.com) 

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Yet something within her awakened as she remembered the stories of others whom Jesus had touched. The stories of others gave her hope. “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” (Mark 5:28).  As she crept near Jesus, she reached out. With just a touch, every aspect of her life changed. She knew healing power flowed into her. First elation, then fear! How could she, in her impure state, be so forward? Her only thought was to disappear back into the crowd. 

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 Then the question, ‘Who touched Me? He knew! Trembling, she fell before Him and confessed. Expecting a torrent of a rebuke, she was instead filled with wonder when Jesus replied, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace. Your suffering is over” (Mark 5:34).  

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As Jesus continued to Jairus’ home, everyone noticed Jairus’s exquisite dress. As ruler of the synagogue, he carefully chose his dress as a representation of his profession. The rabbi was dressed in five articles of clothing—shoes, head covering, upper cloak, girdle (belt), and undergarment. Two types of shoes could be worn, sandals or a type of shoe that covered the whole foot, called a manalim. The head covering, or Sudra, considered a sign of respect, consisted of a kerchief twisted into a turban, which extended down to cover the neck. The undergarment, or chaluq, extended down to his feet and was held in place by the girdle. The upper garment, or Tallith, extends to about four inches above the undergarment with four fringes attached. (Edersheim). Each item worth months of income. Expensive, carefully chosen jewelry completed his look. 

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Jesus, though, was dressed in the simple garb of a teacher. His head was covered by a Sudra, His feet shod in sandals, and He had on the simple inner garment, fastened with a girdle (belt). Over this, He wore the outer garment, or tallith with fringes.  

As Jesus continued His walk, word reached Jairus. “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any further?” (Mark 5:35b). Jesus, though, responded, “Do not be afraid. Only believe.” (Mark 5:36). 

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When Jairus and Jesus arrived, the home was filled with hired mourners and musicians in preparation for the funeral. Jesus, though, told the crowd, “Why the commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.” (Mark 5:39). With scoffing and outright anger at His words ringing in Jesus’s ears, He dismissed the faithless from the home. It was only the mother, father, and three Apostles who witnessed this miracle of rebirth. Another need, another miracle. 

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In both encounters, Jesus revealed that no barrier was greater than His compassion and power. Whether facing chronic suffering or the finality of death, Jesus met each need with grace, authority, and tenderness. The lesson is still clear: when fear says it is too late and circumstances say there is no answer, faith still finds Christ. He alone is what one needs.