A ruler of the synagogue named Jairus comes to Jesus and pleads with him to lay his hands on his little twelve-year-old girl. Even though she is at the point of death, the man has faith that Jesus can make her live again. Jesus and his disciples follow the man to his home.
When they get there they see the people weeping and wailing for the child, and the flute players are playing.
Jesus tells the mourners the little girl is not dead, but just asleep. Oh, how they laugh at him because they know she is dead!
Jesus will not let anyone go into the room where she is lying except Peter, James, and John, and the girl’s parents.
Jesus takes her by her pale little hand and simply says, “Talitha Cumi” which means,” MAIDEN ARISE!”
Faces, once wet with tears of sorrow are turned to joy and gladness as the child rises and walks. Jesus, knowing the little girl's needs, says, “Give her some meat to eat"
Then he admonishes them saying, "Don't tell anyone what has been done here." What a hard secret that will be to keep!
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