Jesus heals a woman with a flow of blood and raises a little girl

The woman with the flow of blood had had this ailment 12 years; and the little girl who died and was raised was also 12 years old. Both 'daughters' are representative of Israel: the woman who comes up behind and touches Jesus' hem is like the 12 tribes of old, whose bloody sacrifices came to an end when Jesus came; the little girl raised is like the Christians who are raised through Baptism to new life in Jesus. Both types are faithful: the ruler worships Jesus and believes Jesus' touch will raise his daughter; the woman believes she will be healed if only she touches his garment. And both were right. Not only so, but the woman's touch, and Jesus' touch of the dead girl, both make him unclean. Truly he took all of the uncleanness of our sin upon himself and cleansed us by his sacrifice. We all touch him sacramentally, and may have confidence that he will likewise heal and raise us from the dead. Sermon for the Sunday after All Saints.