Jesus the miracle worker - CCEAAn official’s daughter and a sick woman

This miracle shows that not all religious leaders were against Jesus.

Jairus, the official from the local synagogue, had heard about Jesus’ reputation as a miracle worker and begged Jesus to help his sick daughter. Jesus was on his way to Jarius’ house when he was interrupted by a woman who touched his cloak to cure her bleeding.

The woman had been suffering from severe bleeding for 12 years. According to Jewish law, her condition made her unclean, so she could not join in Jewish festivals and ceremonies.

She would have been very ashamed of her condition so she tried to secretly touch Jesus’ cloak in the hope that she would be cured. Jesus knew what had happened as he felt the power had gone out of him.

Jesus said:

My daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.

His words are very important. Faith is the key to understanding this miracle.

While they were on the way again to Jarius’ house, they received a message that the twelve year old girl had died. Jesus’ words are very important, "Don't be afraid; just believe." Jesus is stressing that anything is possible when we have faith.

When he got to Jarius’ house people had gathered in mourning and were preparing for the child’s funeral. The crowd laughed when Jesus claimed that she was only sleeping and was not dead.

Jesus takes his closest disciples - Peter, James and John (the inner circle) - and the child’s parents into the room.

Jesus now heals by touch. He takes the little girl by the hand and says, “Talitha cumi”, which means “Little girl, get up.”

He instructs her parents to give her something to eat. Today some people suggest that the little girl was not dead but was in fact in a diabetic coma and this is why Jesus gives this instruction.

Again Jesus gives strict orders not to tell anyone about this because of the messianic secret .