Raising of the Daughter of Jairus
There was a Hebrew elder, a ruler of the synagogue by the name of Jairus; and at his house, his twelve-year-old only daughter lay near death.
Jairus came to Jesus Christ, fell at His feet and besought Him saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.”
Seeing the faith of Jairus, Jesus Christ went with him. On the way, they met a man sent from Jairus’s house, who said to him, “Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any more.”
But Jesus on hearing this said to Jairus, “Do not fear, only believe, and she will be saved.” When they came to the house, they saw a great tumult. Everyone was weeping and wailing.
The Lord said to them, “Do not weep, for the girl is not dead but sleeping.” They did not understand His words and started laughing at Him knowing that she was dead. But Jesus Christ sent the crowd outside the house and, taking with Him only the girl’s parents and three disciples, Peter, James, and John, entered the room where the dead girl lay. He took her by the hand and said, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say unto thee, arise.”
And her spirit returned. The girl got up at once and walked. Her overjoyed parents were greatly amazed. Jesus Christ directed them to give her something to eat and strictly charged them to tell no one what had happened. But the news of this event spread through all that land.
Note: See the Gospels of Matthew 9:18-26; Mark 5:21-43; Luke 8:41-56.
by Fr. Seraphim Slobodskoy)