Restored!
Matthew 9:18-34
18 As Jesus was saying this, the leader of a synagogue came and knelt before him. “My daughter has just died,” he said,
“but you can bring her back to life again if you just come and lay your hand on her.” 19 So Jesus and his disciples got up
and went with him. 20 Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him.
She touched the fringe of his robe, 21 for she thought, “If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.” 22 Jesus turned
around, and when he saw her, he said, “Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was
healed at that moment. 23 When Jesus arrived at the official’s home, he saw the noisy crowd and heard the funeral
music. 24 “Get out!” he told them. “The girl isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.” But the crowd laughed at him. 25 After the
crowd was put outside, however, Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand, and she stood up! 26 The report of this
miracle swept through the entire countryside. 27 After Jesus left the girl’s home, two blind men followed along behind
him, shouting, “Son of David, have mercy on us!” 28 They went right into the house where he was staying, and Jesus
asked them, “Do you believe I can make you see?” “Yes, Lord,” they told him, “we do.” 29 Then he touched their eyes
and said, “Because of your faith, it will happen.” 30 Then their eyes were opened, and they could see! Jesus sternly
warned them, “Don’t tell anyone about this.” 31 But instead, they went out and spread his fame all over the region. 32
When they left, a demon-possessed man who couldn’t speak was brought to Jesus. 33 So Jesus cast out the demon, and
then the man began to speak. The crowds were amazed. “Nothing like this has ever happened in Israel!” they exclaimed.
34 But the Pharisees said, “He can cast out demons because he is empowered by the prince of demons.”
Five people in this story were restored. Is it your time for restoration?
1) What was the position/ranking in the community of the leader of the synagogue, Jairus? What went with that
position (status, etc.)?
Synagogues continued to be a focal point for Jewish life during the first century. Typically, synagogues were placed in
prominent places, on an elevated platform or high place, symbolizing the importance of living in God's presence. In some
cases, the front facade had three doors. And outside each synagogue was a mikveh (ritual bath), where worshipers
symbolically cleansed their hearts before entering the synagogue. Inside the synagogue, important people sat on benches,
called chief seats, which lined three sides of the room. Common people sat on the floor, which was usually made of dirt
or flagstones (or elaborate mosaics in later synagogues). Speakers and readers would stand on a small platform, the bema.
Torah readers sat in a special place called the Moses' Seat (or Seat of Honor), so named because they were reading Moses'
words. And the leader of the synagogue was the main person. Bottom line – VIP.
2) How old was Jairus’ daughter? And what was her status in the community, as daughter of the leader of the
synagogue?
Twelve. Though she was a child, her dad was important in the community so she had status, priority, social capital.
QUESTION: What is social capital? Knowing people who can assist you. Get you the help you need.
QUESTION: How helpful is social capital? Give examples of knowing/meeting someone that leads you to the resources
you need.
QUESTION: What things can possessing social capital not solve? Deadly disease, violent acts of nature, violent acts.
Point: Everyone needs a savior.
3) What was the status of the status in the community of the woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant
bleeding?
An outcast from society through ritual uncleanness and outside the capacity for touch and relationship. Like a leper.
Note for later: 12 year old girl and older woman sick 12 years not an accident.)
4) What might have been the status in the community of the two blind men?
Physical blindness in the biblical period was very common. The suffering of the blind person was made worse by the
common belief that the affliction was due to sin. Because of their severe handicap, blind persons had little opportunity to
earn a living. A blind man was even ineligible to become a priest. Frequently, the blind became beggars
So, many were destined to sit at the city gates or a public place and beg.
5) What might have been the status in the community of the demon possessed?
Another outcast, but, apparently, he had one advantage, what was it? Community > he was brought to Jesus by others.
QUESTION: Regarding all of these people that were considered outcasts, has anyone been rescued and brought to safety?
Has someone been Jesus for you? Todd
6) Summarize the obstacles these people faced? Their sickness-physical limitations, isolation, loss, no hope.
Two more groups in the story:
7) What was the crowd’s various reactions to these events affecting these individuals? What does it say about the
crowd?
At first, they were wrong a lot > later they moved to amazement but weren’t sure exactly what was going on. It says they
didn’t have the answers.
QUESTION: Would you take advice from this crowd? No. Have you followed the crowd and what happened?
8) And the Pharisees, what was their reaction? Why do you think they reacted this way?
They saw what happened but they felt they had to “cancel” Jesus. Why? Because Jesus was someone they could not
contain with their power and control. Those words should mean something.
QUESTION: This was the hint that the pharisees were what? Abusers.
SUMMARY: People rich and poor, connected and displaced, were once 1) INNOCENT children, then had 2) TRAJEDY
(sicknesses), they all got what? Healed 3) RESTORED/RESTORATION
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
REAL LIFE IN THIS STORY
But let’s back up and feel the reality of this story
Twelve years. Twelve years must have felt like forever for the woman with the issue of blood. She had tried everything
and “had spent all that she had, and was no better but grew worse.” According to the Law, this woman’s condition would
have made her ritually unclean and exclude her from social relationships as anything she touched or that touched her
would be made unclean as well. Like a leper, this woman would have to live alone and isolated from others. For Jairus
and his daughter, twelve years was too short. She was only twelve, still a little girl, his only daughter. The same amount of
time, but the experience of these years was vastly different. This young girl lived her twelve years in relationship with her
parents and community, about to enter puberty and womanhood herself, while this woman lived alone and unclean,
outside the community. Jairus found Jesus upon His return to the shore and pleaded for Him to come and heal his
daughter, but Jesus delayed to identify someone who touched Him in a crushing crowd of people. So close, but then she
died. If only Jesus had been there, maybe she would not have died.
But we know the rest of the story – restoration – but there is more
STEP 4
What is step 4? DESTINY What was their destiny? Witnesses of Jesus in 2022!
TABLE TALK – hard work, list the steps, to date, in your life. Work silently, then discuss.
PRAYER FOR REMOVAL OF – OR – WORKING THRU OBSTACLES – & – RESTORATION and DESTINY