ate worry that had driven every other
thought from Jairus' mind. "What is it you need?" The disciples felt
that the very tone of Jesus' voice was a rebuke to their vengeful
feelings.

"My little daughter," said Jairus, brokenly. "At this very moment she is
dying. Please come and pray for her, that she may live, and not die!"

"We must hurry," said Jesus and started swiftly toward Capernaum. The
people followed closely. The disciples hurried to keep up with Jesus,
but he paid no attention to them. The anxious father stayed close beside
Jesus.

Suddenly Jesus stopped. "Hurry, Rabbi," begged Jairus earnestly. "She
may not live much longer." But Jesus seemed not to hear. He looked at
the disciples, who were wondering why he had stopped.

"Who touched me?" Jesus turned around where he stood.

Simon laughed shortly and said: "What do you mean, Master? In a crowd
like this, a dozen people could have touched you!"

"Just the same, I felt someone." Jesus searched the crowd behind Simon.
Most of the people looked at him blankly. Jesus continued to scan the
crowd. Even Jairus held back his urgent protest to hasten.

At that moment there was a disturbance in the crowd, and a trembling
woman came up to Jesus. "I touched you, Rabbi," she confessed tearfully.

Jesus said to her kindly, "Why did you do it?"

"Rabbi, I have been sick for twelve years. I have spent all my money on
doctors and I am worse than ever."

"Why did you touch me?" asked Jesus.

"I thought, _If I can touch only the edge of his robe, I shall be
healed_." Then very simply she added. "So I did, Rabbi--and now I am
well!"

"It is your faith in God that has healed you," said Jesus to the
kneeling woman. "Do not tremble and be afraid. It is faith like yours
that God most desires."

While Jesus was speaking, a man had hurried down the street toward them.
Jairus recognized one of his own servants. "Hurry, Master! Oh, hurry!"
he cried. But he knew it was too late.

The servant came to him sadly. "She is dead. There is no use bothering
the Rabbi any more."

Jesus turned to Jairus. "Courage, sir! Do not be sorrowful."

"What a shame!" Simon remembered his own children and knew how the man
felt. "His little one is dead!"

Jesus turned to the disciples and said, "You saw a woman healed through
faith." They looked at him, wondering what he meant. To Jairus, Jesus
said, "Come, take me to your home." All hope was gone for Jairus, but
obediently he led the w