My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him. And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, when she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. * And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, 24 How ready is the Saviour to hear and answer all who call upon Him faithfully! — or virtue was in 30 All power· Jesus. When the Apostles healed any, they healed in his name, and by his power *. and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 33 32 Her character is perfectly consistent. She was noble in her truth, as she was decided in her faith. And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague. While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. 37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James. And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to But when he had put 40 scorn. 37 These same three attended Him also both during his transfiguration in glory, and during his humiliation in his agony. 40 The three apostles, "who were with him," and the parents of the damsel, were ample evidence both of Thus, when Peter had restored Eneas from his palsy, he presumes not to attribute the miracle to his own power; 66 but adds, Eneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole." (Acts ix. 34.) them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the the death of the damsel, and her revival. damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. arose, and walked; for she was of they were astonished with a great astonishment. 43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat. which is, being interpreted, And straightway the damsel the age of twelve years. And 43 This command, to "give her food," shows that she was perfectly recovered; not to life only, but to health. CHAPTER VI. FEB. 6, JUNE 5, Oct. 3. AND he went out from thence, and came into his own country*; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James,and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were of- ♦ We wonder at their disregard of fended at him. But Jesus Jesus. Yet every worldly mind shares said unto them, A prophet is their guilt. not without honour, but in his own country, and among his 5 Unbelief hinders divine blessing. The few who had faith to seek Jesus received full blessing. And own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching. 7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; and commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no 8 7 Our Lord sent not his apostles singly to their new and arduous work, lest loneliness should induce discouragement. He knew full well the value of a friend. 8 In this their first mission they were to be under the more special providence of God. The instructions upon their second mission were dif ferent. (Luke xxii. 36.) He came from Capernaum to Nazareth, where He was brought up; not to Bethlehem, where He was born. scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: but be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, couraged in their subsequent labours. 12 By this success they were en And In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city. 12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad :) And he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. Others said, That it is Elias. prophet, or as one of the prophets. 16 But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead. For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed And others said, That it is a 16 O the power of conscience! The exclamation is remarkable; for Herod was of the Sadducees, who professed disbelief in the resurrection. him; but she could not: 20 for of our enemies. 20 Integrity wins the respect even Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; and when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. And she went forth and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. And she came in straightway with haste unto 24 How awful is a revengeful spirit! See the downward course of sin! The adulteress becomes a murderer; and, more dreadful still, implicates her youthful daughter in the guilt of it. the king, and asked, saying, 30 The apostles, upon this great and terrible event, hastened for counsel and protection to their beloved Mas ter. had done, and what they had maineth for the people of God !” I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel*: and the damsel gave it to her mother. And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb. 30 And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they taught. 31 And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. And the people saw them departing; and many knew him, and ran a foot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things. And, when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed; send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread for they have nothing to eat. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And, when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And, when he had taken the five loaves, and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the *It seems hardly possible, that a woman in her youth and natural tenderness of disposition could thus bear her part in a scene so dreadful ! But vice hardens any heart. 46 Does our Saviour begin a good work? He looks to heaven for bless ing. (ver. 41.) Does He close it, and prepare for fresh duties? to heaven He still looks in prayer and supplication. Go, and do thou likewise. fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men. And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away he departed into a mountain to : pray. And when even was come the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing: (for the wind was contrary unto them :) and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But, when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried 50 So the tide of human affairs often sets hard against us. But his word ever whispers peace-" It is I; be not afraid." them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship, and the wind ceased; and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. 34 And, when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, and ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. And whithersoeve 52 They were "hard of heart" to apprehend these wonders; or, as our Lord, in his address to the bewildered disciples at Emmaus, expressed the same sentiment-they were "slow of heart to believe." 36 he entered into villages, or cities, or country, they laid 54 The people soon recognised Him, and again welcomed Him. 56 No sooner does the sinner seek the Lord, than he also is made whole. the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. * Sometimes sorrows accumulate. Sickness, and poverty, and contempt, and a sinking spirit-wave upon wave-they combine to overwhelm us. We toil, till our strength is well nigh gone; yet make no way. Then, at a moment, and in a manner all unlookedfor, comes our Lord, with power, and wisdom, and comfort, to bear us safely home. |