Mother Stories from the New Testament | Page 8

and put out her arm and touched the hem of His garment, and immediately she was made well.
Then Jesus, turning round to His disciples, said, "Who touched Me?" But they all denied that they had done so, and Peter and they that were with him said, "Master, the multitude throng Thee and press Thee, and yet Thou sayest, Who touched Me!" They were surprised that Jesus should make such an enquiry, seeing that so many were crowding round Him, and pressing against Him. But Jesus said, "Somebody hath touched Me, for I perceive that healing virtue hath gone out of Me."
When the woman saw that Jesus knew what she had done, and that she could not be hidden in the crowd, she came trembling, and, falling down before Him, she declared unto Him before all the people why she had touched Him, and how she had been healed at once. And He said unto her, "Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. Go in peace, and be healed of thy illness."
Jesus wishes us to trust in Him. We suffer from a terrible disease--the disease of sin, which no doctor can cure; but Jesus will heal us and take away our sin if we trust in Him.
[Illustration: CURED BY TOUCHING HIS GARMENT.]

JAIRUS' DAUGHTER.
Jairus was one of the rulers of the Jewish church, or synagogue, and he had a daughter who had been very ill and was now at the point of death. She was an only daughter, and was twelve years of age. So hearing that Jesus was near, he came to Him, and, falling down before Him, implored Jesus to come and see her.
And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did His disciples. Soon there came running to them a messenger from the ruler's house, who said to Jairus, "Thy daughter is already dead; do not trouble the master." But when Jesus heard it He turned to Jairus and said, "Fear not. Only believe, and she shall be restored to life."
When they came to the ruler's house they saw the minstrels and many people who were making much noise and lamentation for the dead girl, as was the custom. Jesus said unto them, "Make way; weep not, for the maiden is not dead, but sleepeth;" but they laughed Him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. And He put them all out of the room, all but Peter and James and John, and the mother and father of the maiden. Then He took her by the hand, and called to her, saying, "Maid, arise." And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway; and He commanded her parents to give her food.
Her parents were astonished when they saw their daughter raised to life and able to eat, but Jesus charged them that they should tell no man what He had done. But the fame of the miracle He had wrought went abroad unto all that land.
[Illustration: JAIRUS' DAUGHTER.]

THE TWO BLIND MEN.
When Jesus had left the house of the ruler Jairus, there followed Him two blind men. They called out to Him, "Thou Son of David, have mercy upon us."
Then Jesus looked at them, and asked if they really believed that He had power to cure them and give them back their sight. And they said unto Him, "Yea, Lord." Then He touched their eyes, and said unto them, "According to your faith, so be it unto you." And immediately they opened their eyes and were able to see. Jesus charged them to let no man know what He had done. But when they were departed they spread His fame abroad over all that country.
Another time Christ and His disciples were coming away from Jericho, followed by a large crowd of people. And there was sitting by the wayside a blind beggar, Bartimeus by name; and when he heard the noise of the multitude, he asked what it meant. They answered him, "Jesus of Nazareth passeth by." Then he cried out in a loud voice, saying, "Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me." The people tried to keep him from calling out, but he would not be quiet. He was determined that Christ should see him. And Jesus stood still, and commanded them to call him. So he arose and cast away his outer garment and came to Jesus. When Jesus asked what he would have done to him, he answered, "Lord, that I might receive my sight." And Jesus said unto him, "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole." And he received his sight at once, and followed Jesus, praising Him.
[Illustration: THE TWO BLIND MEN.]

FEEDING FIVE THOUSAND.
One day Jesus went on board a ship and sailed to another part of the coast, where He and His disciples might have rest. For