Two of the most intriguing healing stories in the Bible are written in three of the Gospel Books: Matthew, Mark and Luke (called the Synoptic Gospels).

Jesus had a lot to accomplish during His three-year ministry.  This day was a typical day for our Lord.  It started by the President of the synagogue coming to Jesus (“Yeshua”) to ask for his child’s healing, and eventually, it was for resurrection of his 12-year old daughter.  Jesus tells, Jairus, “Be not afraid, only believe” (Mark 5:36b).  

The walk to Jairus’s house begins, but on the way, a woman who has had a serious blood condition for 12 years pursues her own healing.  She reasons, “If only, I can touch the hem of His garment, I shall be made whole” (Matthew 9:21). This woman was an outcast because of her consistent flow of blood.  If she touched a rabbi, he would have become unclean for a number of hours.

The woman did not touch Jesus physically. She touched the hem of His garment, and perhaps one of the four tassels sewn there.

With the crush of the crowd following Him, Jesus did not see her but He said,  “Somebody touched Me for I perceived [healing] virtue is gone out of Me” (Luke 8:46).

She fell down before Jesus and explained she was the one who touched Him and was healed.  Jesus said, “Daughter, be of good comfort; your faith has made you whole”  (Matthew 9:22b).  

“Why Touch His Hem?”
If she was a Jewish woman, she would know that the four tassels on Christ’s garment represented the original four Hebrew letters of God’s Name: “yud, heh, vav, heh” (In English YHVH or Yahveh).  They also represented the Torah and Ten Commandments.  

Some Jewish men wear the tassels today to remind them to live a holy life.  They were commanded by God to make tassels . . . (Numbers 15:38 - 40).

 “Death and Return Experience”
Jesus was not worried about the situation or time of day; He pressed on - taking matters in His stride.  Each person was precious to Him.

When Jesus finally arrived at Jairus’s house, the mourners were weeping and wailing at the death of the 12-year old daughter.  Jesus assured them that she was only asleep.

 Scripture says, “They laughed Him to scorn, knowing she was dead” (Luke 8:53, Mark 5:42).  
Jesus had enough of their unbelief and asked them to wait outside.  Only His three Apostles, Peter, James, and John, and the mother and father were allowed to be with Him and the girl.

“He took her by the hand, and called, saying, ‘Maid, arise.’  And her spirit came again and she arose immediately: and He commanded them to give her food. Her parents were astonished” (Luke 9: 54-56a KJV - mod).  

 “Why the Number 12?”  
I was pondering why the Holy Spirit coupled these two healings together.  The girl was 12-years old and the woman had been sick 12 years.

Then a plethora of biblical 12’s filled my mind:
12 year old daughter of Jairus, restored,
12 importance of coming of age,
12 year battle for a woman’s life,
12 disciples of Jesus,
12 Apostles, on
12 thrones in Heaven.
12 Tribes of Israel, and message.
12 Pearls, at 12 Gates in Heaven,
12 Angels at the Gates,
12 Tunnels of Light
12 Rivers of Life,
12 kinds of fruit on Trees of Life,
12 precious and semi-precious Jeweled Foundations of Heaven,
12th biblical octave in Psalm 119:89-96 (KJV),
12th Hebrew letter “Lamed,” which we would call “L” in English, means to “study and learn.” Is this a “coded message” encouraging us to learn all we can from these biblical 12’s listed above?  

The more we study the supernatural Word of God, the easier it is for our Good Shepherd to lead us. Interestingly “Lamed” is the tallest Hebrew letter and looks like a shepherd’s staff.

If you find additional biblical 12’s in the Bible, let me know.
Reach out and touch the Hem of Jesus’ garment today. Miracles await …
See you next week.