Matthew 9:18-38

While Jesus was saying these things, a ruler of the synagogue came to him. The ruler bowed down before Jesus and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and touch her with your hand, and she will live again.” So Jesus stood up and went with the ruler. Jesus’ followers went too. Then a woman who had been bleeding for 12 years came behind Jesus and touched the edge of his coat. She was thinking, “If I can touch his coat, then I will be healed.” Jesus turned and saw the woman. He said, “Be happy, dear woman. You are made well because you believed.” And the woman was healed at once. Jesus continued along with the ruler and went into the ruler’s house. Jesus saw people there who play music for funerals. And he saw many people there crying. Jesus said, “Go away. The girl is not dead. She is only asleep.” But the people laughed at Jesus. After the crowd had been put outside, Jesus went into the girl’s room. He took her hand, and she stood up. The news about this spread all around the area. When Jesus was leaving there, two blind men followed him. They cried out, “Show kindness to us, Son of David!” Jesus went inside, and the blind men went with him. He asked the men, “Do you believe that I can make you see again?” They answered, “Yes, Lord.” Then Jesus touched their eyes and said, “You believe that I can make you see again. So this will happen.” Then the men were able to see. But Jesus warned them very strongly, saying, “Don’t tell anyone about this.” But the blind men left and spread the news about Jesus all around that area. When the two men were leaving, some people brought another man to Jesus. This man could not talk because he had a demon in him. Jesus forced the demon to leave the man. Then the man who couldn’t talk was able to speak. The crowd was amazed and said, “We have never seen anything like this in Israel.” But the Pharisees said, “The leader of demons is the one that gives him power to force demons out.” Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages. He taught in their synagogues and told people the Good News about the kingdom. And he healed all kinds of diseases and sicknesses. He saw the crowds of people and felt sorry for them because they were worried and helpless. They were like sheep without a shepherd. Jesus said to his followers, “There are many people to harvest, but there are only a few workers to help harvest them. God owns the harvest. Pray to him that he will send more workers to help gather his harvest.”