A man raced through the streets of Capernaum searching for the one person who could help him. He glimpsed an animated figure preaching, pushed through the crowd, and fell exhausted at Jesus’ feet.
“My daughter is dying; come heal her,” begged the father with his last breath.
Jesus followed the man back to his residence. Jairus dared to calm his pounding heart. Then a woman threw herself at Jesus’ feet, sobbing.
Her faith was so strong that she believed if she touched his robe she would be healed. A miracle occurred! Joyfully she wished to slip back into the crowd. That was not to be! Jesus had indeed noticed and now he demanded, “Who touched me?” She trembled with fear.
“Daughter, your faith has made you well.”
Now Jairus knew that Jesus could indeed heal his daughter if only she could hang on to life! Then he was met by his own grim-faced servants who mouthed the words he dreaded to hear.
“Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the teacher any more?”
Jesus’ answer was curiously calm, “Only believe and she will be made well.”
“How can I believe?” Then he prayed, “Help my unbelief!”
At the house they were greeted by mourners wailing loudly. Jesus said, “Why make this commotion? The child is sleeping.”
Jairus’ eyes welled up with tears when he viewed the motionless body of his daughter. Jesus’ words echoed in his ears, “Just sleeping, only believe.”
Jesus approached the girl’s bed with love in his eyes. He took her hand and commanded gently, “Talitha, koum.”
Suddenly her legs twitched, she inhaled and struggled to her feet. Jairus’ heart leaped with amazement.
“Give her something to eat,” Jesus commanded.
Discussion
The story ends at this point but no doubt this girl will tell her amazing story for the rest of her life.
How does she feel to awaken from the dead with her hand in the hand of Jesus? Now she celebrates two birthdays; the day she was born and the day she was born again! All believers are born twice: the day of birth and the day that person feels the saving hand of Jesus.
On this busy day Jesus also healed a woman who had bled much of her adult life. These two miracles have important meaning to women and men. Since then, any restraints placed solely upon women are man-made and not the will of Jesus. Jesus loved women and girls as true friends and treated them with respect. He answered their questions and he taught them so they could use their gifts to spread the Good News.
Study Questions
- Who did Jesus raise from the dead? Were they important people? Men or women? Young or old?
- Who are other young people and women in the Bible who experienced love and healing from God?
- Does Jesus still heal people today? Why aren’t all people healed and saved from death?
- What does this story tell us about the importance of faith? Do prayer and faith make a difference?
