The synagogue leader Jairus asked Jesus to heal his ailing daughter. On the way to the sick child, a hemorrhaging woman touched Jesus’ cloak. Her faith healed her. By the time Jesus arrived at Jairus’ home, people were mourning because the girl was dead.
Jesus took the girl by the hand and said to her, “Talitha cum!” This means, “Little girl, arise.” Immediately the girl got up and began to walk about. She was 12 years old. At this the witnesses were overcome with amazement.
Mark 5. 41-42
The story of the hemorrhaging woman emphasizes a 12-year bloody scourge. The girl’s story emphasizes Jesus raising her up from near death. Jesus commands her, “Arise.” This is the same verb that describes Jesus raising up Peter’s mother-in-law and his own rising from the dead. Together the stories of the woman and the girl replicate in ordinary people’s lives Jesus’ suffering, death, and resurrection.
What do you make of Jesus’ willingness to heal and to touch and to be touched?
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