Little Wideawake: A story book for little children

by Mrs. Sale Barker

Our Saviour was one day at the house of His disciple Matthew at Capernaum, when a man of importance in the city, a ruler in the synagogue, named Jairus, came to Him. This man had an only child, a daughter about twelve years old, who was lying at the point of death; and he came to Jesus in the hope that He would cure her.

Generally, the poor and lowly were the first to believe in our Saviour. The rich were slow to accept the self-denying doctrines which He taught; the learned were too wise in their own esteem to listen to His instruction. But when they were in affliction both the rich and the learned sometimes came to Jesus to seek His aid. So it was in this instance.

We may imagine what the unhappy father suffered at the prospect of losing his darling child,—at the thought of her fading away from him, and sinking into the grave. As he was rich, we may suppose that all had been done by the doctors that could be done; so now in an agony of despair he turned to seek our Saviour. No doubt he thought of all the miraculous cures Jesus had effected, as he went towards Matthew’s house, where he found our Saviour at the door teaching a crowd of people. Jairus immediately fell at His feet, and with heart-felt earnestness “besought him greatly” that He would come and see his child.

Jesus rose, and went forth, followed by a number of people, while Jairus led the way to his own house. The poor father would have walked quickly, every moment seeming an age till he reached his sick child’s bedside, but the crowd pressing round, interfered with their speed, and soon there arose another cause of delay.

In the crowd was a poor woman who had been very ill for a long time. She had consulted many doctors, but none could cure her; and at last she had spent all her money in trying to regain her health. Hearing that Jesus was near, she approached Him in great fear and trembling. She was almost crushed by the crowd, as she struggled to come near Him; but at length succeeded so far as to be able to stretch forth her hand, and touch the border of His mantle. In a moment she felt that she was recovering from her illness. Our Saviour stopped, and turned towards her, when she cast herself at His feet, fearing for her presumption. But He looked graciously upon her, for He knew why she had touched His garment; then speaking to her, He said:—“Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.” And from that hour she was cured.

After this incident, Jairus was again hurrying on, leading the way to his house, when messengers met him with the agonizing intelligence that the child was already dead—gone beyond the reach of human help. Thereupon Christ turned to Jairus, saying:—“Be not afraid; only believe, and she shall be made whole.” For it was as easy to Him to bring back the dead, as to restore the living.

He went into the house with three of His disciples and the parents of the child. Then He addressed words of comfort to the father and mother, saying,—“The damsel is not dead but sleepeth;”—meaning that her death would only be like a short sleep, because He was going to bring her back to life.

Then taking hold of the little girl’s hand, as though He were about to waken her from a pleasant sleep, He said: “Talitha cumi!”—that is, “Damsel, arise!” The words were no sooner spoken, than the colour returned to her cheeks, her eyes opened, and she arose as if just awakened from a refreshing sleep.

We are told that “the parents and all present were astonished with a great astonishment.” We may also suppose how great was their delight, and how unbounded was their gratitude to our blessed Lord.