"Talitha koum!"

The healing of Jairus' daughter is a miracle that touches the heart of any and all parents. I can only imagine how horrible it must be to have to watch your child suffer and even die. I have seen children near death, fighting and clinging to life. The seventh floor of Kosair Children's hospital is filled with children of all ages, some desperately ill with little or no chance to live. But to imagine my own child in that place - it is truly terrifying and just the thought of it helps me understand the solemn stares and tear-filled expressions that identify the parents of those children at Kosair. To go into the NICU or OCSU is to enter an atmosphere filled with doubt, pain, confusion, fear, and frustration, all mingled with tiny shreds of hope.

From what we read in Mark 5, this is the atmosphere that Jairus came to Jesus through. Seeking Divine intervention, having exhausted all other resources, Jairus fell down at the feet of Jesus and begged for help. Mark tells us that Jairus was a "synagogue ruler," which tells us that he was a Jewish man of honor, learning, and respect. For him to fall at the feet of the One whom the Pharisees and Lawyers hated and declared a messenger of Satan, Jairus had to be desperate. Against the odds, Jairus does reach Jesus and persuades him to go to his house and heal his daughter. The story further intensifies when the group is still traveling to Jairus' house, as some men meet the group and tell them that they are too late and the girl has died.

Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

There are couple of things that jump out in my mind concerning this verse and the events that followed. First, Mark writes that Jesus "ignored" what the crowd was saying. Belief and Faith in Christ flies in the face of our cynical culture. As Christians, we often have to ignore what our co-workers, friends, and resident "experts" think and say regarding faith. Second, I love what Jesus tells Jairus: "Don't be afraid, just believe." I wish I could know what the tone of this statement was. Did Jesus say this with a half-smile?, as if to say, "Don't worry, wait until you see what I've got up my sleeve." Or was he quietly consoling and encouraging Jairus: "Hey, don't pay attention to what they are saying. Keep believing in me for help. It is going to be alright." Either way, the comfort and encouragement contained in that small statement is infinite. Thirdly, notice the reaction of the crowd when Jesus goes in to the house. From weeping and sobbing to laughter - all because they could not see what Faith believed. And lastly, I am fascinated by Jesus' words to the young girl: "Talitha koum!" Which means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" It reminds me of when my mom would try to get us up for school. This is no easy task, no matter what family we're talking about, but I commend my mom for managing to get 5 kids up every day! My little brother used to sleep until my mom actually came in the room, sat him up, dressed him, and pushed him off the bed. And that was when he was in 6th grade! But I always remember her coming in the room and sternly yelling, "Get up!" I can just see Jesus standing beside the bed, telling the girl to get up, just like she had overslept and was going to be late for school.

And I think that Jesus is still saying these same words to us today. Every time we fail or stumble, every time we don't know where to turn, every time we find ourselves exhausted and spent, every time we feel hopeless and lost, Jesus calls to us, "little boy, little girl, get up! Don't worry, just believe!" When others laugh at my faith and mock my belief, I remember when I didn't think I could ever get back up. I remember when God reached down, through Jesus, and picked me back up. He put the shattered pieces of my life back together and told me to get up. When I'm worried about what others might think or say, I remind myself of who I turn to when all else fails. When no one can help, who is there for me? When all my friends desert me, when my enemies surround me, Jesus calls out, "Don't be afraid; just believe."

I have said it before, but it is so true - I'll never understand why God cares about me. I don't get it. What have I to offer? What loyalty can I pledge? I offer nothing. I bring nothing to the table. Yet He loves me, cares for me, and provides for me. Show me another God who promises these things, and I will pledge my allegiance to him. Show me another deity who promises help amidst the great tempests of life, and will gladly follow him. I don't know of any other God who loves me, teaches me, and gives his all for me. There is only One. He is calling out now, "Talitha koum!"