18While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live." 19So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples.
20And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. 21For she said to herself, "If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well." 22But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, "Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well." And the woman was made well from that hour.
23When Jesus came into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24He said to them, "Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping." And they ridiculed Him. 25But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26And the report of this went out into all that land.
More people the Pharisees would have shunned..., more of the impossible made possible.., more strong faith demonstrated...
I was just wondering, would a ruler be Jewish? Would the Jewish leaders have tried to do anything to help a non-Jew? The woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, therefore she was considered unclean. Would the Jewish leaders have tried to do anything to help this unclean woman? Jesus helped both.
The girl was already dead when the leader asked Jesus to help him. The woman's blood had flowed for 12 years, she must have tried everything possible in that time. Still, Jesus accomplished the impossible for both.
The ruler had faith that if Jesus just laid His hand on his daughter she would live. The woman had faith that if she just touched the hem of His cloak she would be healed. Their faith made them both well.
Jesus is still doing things very differently than the current Jewish leaders would have. He is not doing as many of the old laws had instructed. The Pharisees are trying to raise doubts in the minds of Jesus' followers, nonbelievers ridiculed Him, and still they come with a strong faith. Yes, I think the people were ready for the great change that was coming. Jesus will go out of His way to do the unconventional and the impossible for us. All it takes is an unshakable faith.