thee, arise," be repeated in Capernaum, and in like manner be obeyed?
Without heeding the messenger's question about troubling the Master, he
cried out yet more earnestly, "My daughter is even now dead; but lay Thy
hand upon her, and she shall live." But the father's entreaty was
unnecessary, for Jesus was already responding to the messenger's words
as, turning to Jairus, He said, "Fear not, only believe."

How eagerly the curious crowd hastened toward the ruler's home, because
of a possible miracle, even raising the dead. But they were not to be
witnesses of such display of Divine power. Yet even if the throng be
excluded, might not the Twelve, following close to Jairus and Jesus,
expect admission to the home? What was the surprise and disappointment
of nine of them to be forbidden admission by Him whom they were
following. But so it was. "When He came to the house He suffered not any
man to enter in with Him, save Peter, and John and James, and the father
of the maiden, and her mother."

[Illustration: RAISING THE DAUGHTER OF JAIRUS _H. Hofmann_ Page 99]

This is the first we know of this distinction in the apostolic band. We
almost hear the nine saying, "Why is this?" Can it be that, in that
hour, at the door of this house of mourning, there was awakened the
feeling of jealousy which afterward appeared? Did it inspire in the
three a sense of superiority, and ambition to be higher in position than
the rest in the kingdom of their Lord? Did James and John especially
hope for promotion above the nine, and even the ten including Peter? So
it will appear. But all this was to pass away when the band better
understood the nature of their Lord's kingdom, and possessed more of His
spirit.