Matthew 9:18  “…a ruler came and worshiped Him…”
Religious leader.  Doesn’t specify what he did, but by his actions paid homage to Jesus.

18  “…come and lay Your hand on her and she will live”
Statement of faith.  If you come and touch her, she will be made well.  Not as much as the centurion who believed that Jesus only need speak the words, but faith nonetheless.

21-22  “…If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well…your faith has made you well…”
Another statement of faith.  She believed she only need touch Jesus’s garments.  She didn’t need His attention, just get close enough to touch Him.  All show faith that Jesus had the power.

23  “…flute players and the noisy crowd wailing”
Mourners.  Girl had been pronounced dead.

27  “…two blind men followed Him…”
Having heard that Jesus was passing by.

28  “…Do you believe that I am able to do this…”
Emphasis again on faith.  Jesus had the power whether the people believed it or not.  But He didn’t force Himself on anyone.  It had to be their choice to believe.  Same goes for us in regard to salvation.  We must believe that Jesus is able to save us from our sins and Hell.  At that point, we simply ask Him to have mercy on us and save us, just like the blind men asking for their sight.  We believe Him and ask Him.

29  “…According to your faith let it be to you”
Not the amount of faith as though they would be healed as much as they had faith, but the fact that they had faith at all.  He said we only needed faith the size of a mustard seed.  Any faith will do.  The power is in Him, not our faith.  We only access it by our faith.

30-31  “…See that no one knows it…but…they spread the news about Him in all that country”
He warned them sternly not to speak of it, but they did anyway.  Most believe He did this so as not to put the emphasis on the healing.  That’s the only thing I can think of.  He wanted people coming to Him for relationship, not for what they could get.  Salvation certainly, but priority of need.  Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added.

34  “…He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons”
Typical fallen human behavior.  We can’t rejoice with those we don’t like.  We must ascribe their actions to something evil.  Jesus will confront their hypocrisy when He compares their reactions to similar behavior.  John the Baptist was a Nazarite and they said he had a demon.  Jesus ate and drank like everyone else and they said He was a glutton and winebibber.  Jesus cast out a demon, which only God could do, yet they had to find some way to discredit the action.  When followers of God can’t see God one wonders which God they are following.

35  “…teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people”
The plan He followed, at least at the beginning of His ministry.  Teaching in the synagogues, showing how the scripture had been fulfilled in Himself.  Preaching the gospel, the good news that the Messiah had come and salvation was available to all who believed.  And also meeting the physical needs of those around Him.  Priorities.  If we become concerned with “social justice” we would be wise to follow Christ’s example.  Even when He healed someone he spoke of their sin and forgiveness and also their faith.  Sometimes the need is so great we need to supply it first, but we must never forget the greatest need a person has is to know Christ.  If we fail to supply that need, all else we do is worthless to them.

I hope you enjoy reading and studying His word.  May it accomplish what He desires.  Please feel free to comment or post questions.  Thanks for reading!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.