Talitha Koum

Talitha Koum
Mark 5:41
With these words Jesus demonstrates powerfully, yet plainly and matter-of-factly, his power over death. Jesus was at this time in his earthly life greatly popular because of his healing. Jairus, a synagogue official, in a demonstration of complete and humble faith, the faith of one who has come to understand his complete dependence on God, approached Jesus, saying “My daughter is at the point of death. Please, come lay your hands on her that she may get well and live.”

His words express complete certainty: if Jesus wills it, his healing hands will return the girl to life. Complete and utter faith.
The story of Jairus daughter is interlaced with the story of the hemorrhagic woman. Straining to touch Jesus in the crush of admirers surrounding Him, she is said to utter, “If I but touch his clothes, I shall be cured” – once again, complete and utter faith in the healing power of Jesus.
“Daughter, your faith has saved you,” says Jesus after healing the woman.

Likewise, reminding Jairus of his own faith, when the townspeople arrive to tell Jairus and Jesus in effect, “don’t bother, she is already dead,” Jesus says, “Do not be afraid; just have faith.”

Then he takes the girl by the hand and utters words both thrilling and plain: “Kalitha toum,” – “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”
He says these words to us each and every moment of our lives. To live fully we have but to say “yes,” to have the faith of Jairus or the woman, knowing that Jesus can heal us, cleanse us of sin, and bring us to everlasting life.