Matthew brings together four stories of desperation: a ruler whose daughter has died, a woman who has been bleeding for twelve years, two blind men, and a man who cannot speak. Each story brings us to Jesus and teaches us about the nature of genuine faith in Christ. As Jesus heals, the responses are varied: the crowds are fascinated but not moved to faith, and the Pharisees refuse to see. Genuine faith comes humbly and empty-handed, bringing only its need and relying upon Jesus, the awaited messiah, the Son of David.