While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes, he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him. After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up. News of this spread through all that region.

Jesus had compassion on this synagogue leader. I find this interesting because many of the Pharisees and teachers of the law (Jewish spiritual leaders) persecuted Jesus and were trying to entrap him and find fault with his godly actions.

This is a good model for me to remember. We are called to “love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew ‭5‬:‭44‬) Jesus taught on this in Matthew 5, and lived it out in Matthew 9.

The humility of the synagogue leader was apparent. He got on his knees before Jesus, recognizing his authority and begging him for help. If Jesus is Lord, will I submit to him as Lord as this man did?

Finally, he did a miraculous healing with this little girl. She had clearly been dead for a while, because the professional wailers and music players had arrived. People were in mourning. No doubt every effort had been made to revive her, and to no avail. Then Jesus raises her from the dead.

Jesus is God, and in his human form, he relied on God and gave life.

Lord, thank you for this miracle which clearly showed that you had God’s power through a pure heart. And you had his compassion for your enemies. Please give me this kind of love and power too.