Jesus Heals Jairus' Daughter and the Bleeding Woman

In Luke chapter 8, Jesus heals Jairus’ daughter and a woman who had suffered constant bleeding for twelve years. These two miracles remind us of a timeless truth—everybody needs Jesus.

Jairus Approaches Jesus

Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, was powerful with prestige. He had everything going for him until his 12-year-old daughter faced death. 

In his crisis, he came to Jesus, “Then a man named Jairus, a leader of the local synagogue, came and fell at Jesus’ feet, pleading with him to come home with him” (Luke 8:41 NLT).

The Bleeding Woman’s “Interruption”

As Jesus went with Jairus, a woman who had suffered constant bleeding for 12 years approached from behind. She reached out in faith to touch His robe, and immediately her bleeding stopped.

Jesus stopped and asked, “Who touched Me?” Trembling, the woman confessed, but Jesus responded: “‘’Daughter,’ he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace’” (Luke 8:48 NLT). 

What may seem like an interruption was a divine appointment. God’s timing is perfect.

Jesus Heals Jairus’ Daughter Miraculously 

As Jesus was speaking with the woman, a messenger arrived to announce Jairus’ daughter’s death. I know what that’s like. When I heard the news that our son Christopher had died, it was incomprehensible. I’m sure Jairus’ world felt like it was falling apart. Yet, “[W]hen Jesus heard what had happened, he said to Jairus, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just have faith, and she will be healed’” (Luke 8:50 NLT).

When they arrived at the home filled with people weeping, Jesus declared, “‘Stop the weeping! She isn’t dead; she’s only asleep’” (Luke 8:52 NLT). Verses 54–55 go on: “Then Jesus took her by the hand and said in a loud voice, ‘My child, get up!’ And at that moment her life returned, and she immediately stood up.” (NLT).

Everybody Needs Jesus

Jairus needed Jesus in his moment of loss; the woman needed Him in her suffering. Both show that we all need Jesus—the powerful and the powerless, the young and the old, in health or tragedy.

We need Him for this life and the afterlife. There’s no time in our existence that we do not desperately need Him. Only Jesus forgives our sins, fills the deep void in our hearts, and gives true meaning and purpose. And He offers resurrection hope: One day, believers will rise again.