Tuesday January 4, 2025

Mark 5:21-41

TALITHA KUM

When Jesus had crossed in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered round him and he stayed by the lakeside. Then one of the synagogue officials came up, Jairus by name, and seeing him, fell at his feet and pleaded with him earnestly, saying, ‘My little daughter is desperately sick. Do come and lay your hands on her to make her better and save her life.’ Jesus went with him and a large crowd followed him; they were pressing all round him.

I want you to pay attention whenever St Mark puts Jesus in a boat. Something big is about to happen. For this passage we have two major miracles. The healing of the bleeding woman and the restoring to life of a little girl.

I actually like what I did there, instead of saying raising to life of a dead girl, I used restore. There is still some life in her in you that needs to be revived. See what Jesus does in this miracle. He sends everyone out of the room except those who want the little girl restored. Maybe for our healing to fully occur, we need to send some people out the door. I know we are trying to grow a church here and we cannot afford to lose anyone. However be careful who you have up close. Do they breathe life in you or cry you to death? With those who wished her life left in the room, Jesus said “Talitha Kim” little girl get up. He then asked that she be fed, take it easy before she re-engages with the world. Do that for yourself.

Fr Chibundi