This week I am studying a passage from Matthew 9:18-26 where Christ does at least two things: 1) he restores a girl to life and 2) he heals a woman who had suffered a blood issue; apparently, she bled profusely.

I am familiar with the passage. I have heard it referenced, preached, and alluded to many times. But this is I think the first time I have focused just upon the two miracles that are recorded here. For purposes of today I want to focus on just one principle, namely, the contrast between the woman who came up behind Jesus and touched the fringe of his garment (v. 20) and the faith in Christ she demonstrated versus the scoffing and disbelief of the crowd surrounding the dead girl whose father was a ruler in the synagogue (vv. 18, 25).

The woman with the issue of blood is an embodiment of the sinner’s complete brokenness and utter reliance upon the grace of God in Christ. And Christ both received her and healed her.

The ruler of the synagogue implored Christ to raise his deceased daughter, and when Christ does just that, the crowds “laughed at him” (v. 24) out of their disbelief.

Here’s the rub: Genuine belief in the person and work of Christ entails casting ourselves upon the mercy and grace of God, that he is who he says he is and proves himself over and over to be. But some folks just want a show; they do not come to Christ as Lord, but Christ as someone less than what he is: Lord.

The woman was healed, made well, and Christ knew her savingly. The crowd who witnessed the results of Christ raising of a corpse (v. 25) wanted a show, mere entertainment. There is a world of difference between those who want a show and those who want the Lord.