18 While Jesus told these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”

19 Jesus got up and followed him, as did his disciples. 20 Behold, a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years came behind him, and touched the fringe of his garment; 21 for she said within herself, “If I just touch his garment, I will be made well.”

22 But Jesus, turning around and seeing her, said, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

23 When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players, and the crowd in noisy disorder, 24 he said to them, “Make room, because the girl isn’t dead, but sleeping.”

They were ridiculing him. 25 But when the crowd was put out, he entered in, took her by the hand, and the girl arose. 26 The report of this went out into all that land.

Matthew 9:18-26 - World English Bible

After the fasting controversy in Matthew 9:15-17, Jesus performed miracles for two people in a way the put his kosher status to the test. He was touched by a woman who had an “issue of blood,” an imbalance in her menstrual cycle that left her unfit for marriage under the Law (Leviticus 18:19) and perpetually unclean (Leviticus 15:25-27). But her initiative, she violated his status, she made him unclean to restore not only her health, but her status in the community. The Lord did not reject her for her violation of the Law (she broke her quarantine), but recognized her effort because of her faith.

In the second miracle, he went to the home of a dead girl to raise her back to life. After he chided the mourners for their lack of faith, he touched the girl (making himself unclean) and restored her.

Both narratives point out the risks Jesus took to bring just a touch of the Kingdom to those in need. He violated the quarantine the Law erected and touched the weak and the dead. He's truly a “hands-on” Savior.

How has Jesus been “hands-on” in your life?