Healing the Talithas
Talitha? It means “little girl” in Aramaic. Talitha is a name I set my heart on as a young single. It’s what I wanted to call a future daughter. First though, I needed a wife. I found one in 2012. Now I’ll need a miracle to be blessed with a talitha naturally.
Why Talitha? It’s what Christ called the little girl he brought back to life in Mark 5. He did so with these words: “Talitha Cumi”, which means “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” This was after an older talitha touched the hem of his garment because she knew that just a touch would heal her. She had simple faith in an awesome Savior.
In a message about Jesus' healing the woman and raising the girl from the dead, a pastor asked us to ask ourselves this: Who is Christ to me?
To the first talitha, he was her one and only hope. To Jairus’ daughter, he was the giver and re-giver of life. When Christ raised her from the dead, he didn’t celebrate himself, he looked after her needs. And he asked stunned gawkers to give her something to eat.
I wonder if Jesus was hungry just then. He’d traveled, he’d spoken, he’d energized many with his words and power and love. His listeners were wounded and broken in a fallen world. Just as we are. We yearn for healing and help as they did.
Jesus Christ never disappoints. He will not. It’s not who he is. He heals us in our brokenness. He turns hopelessness into healing. In a fallen world he is a mighty Savior who healed and blessed sinners.
As the pastor shared his thoughts on the passages in Mark, he spoke of three people Jesus healed in a fallen and flawed world—a demon-possessed man and two talithas.
He also stressed this beautiful truth: Jesus has more power than we can imagine.
As I listened, I asked myself who is the Lord Jesus to me now? My answer? Everything. The pastor asked if we’re stunned by the power and authority of Christ? We should be. We all will be. Sooner or later, we’ll be in absolute awe of him. He is truly awesome.
Jesus Christ is mightier than all our sins and any darkness we fight—within and in the world. We’re desperate and in need, and he’s a mighty Savior. Have I mentioned that he’s mighty? His strength is made perfect in our weakness. And his amazing grace banishes all our shame.
The older talitha was an outcast. She knew disgrace and loneliness. When she delayed Jesus, was it too late for Jairus and his daughter? Not hardly. God is not bound by time or circumstance or anything else.
Jairus was beyond desperate. He loved his talitha desperately. Jesus knew this and went with him. He goes with us too. It’s who he is—the God of mercy, love and power. He is the Light of life, Lord of lords, King of kings. And he’s the Great Physician.
We’re the bound ones. Time and again he bids us, do not fear, only believe. Only he can say this. Christ is the wonderful Savior sent by the all-powerful God. Our fallen world has no chance against either. Neither do our hurts and fears.
Jesus said this then and says it now: “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, ESV)
Our Lord has tremendous power wrapped in tremendous tenderness. Talithas are healed. Fathers and mothers are rescued from sorrow through sacrificial love and amazing grace. Aspiring fathers like me can be used to rescue orphans as adopted sons and daughters—as a loving God does for his beloved children.
For love of fractured people in a fallen world, a beloved Son was broken for us. Now that is true love.
Are you fearful, suffering, hopeless at times, hurt? Me too. Jesus was broken so we can made whole. He drank the cup of God’s wrath for us. His sacrifice is our all-sufficient merit. It’s freely given and unearned.
Who is Christ to you right now—as you read this? He can be your everything. He can heal you of all your shame and doubt and pride. Do not fear, only believe. Ask him to forgive, cleanse and restore you. He will.
“Talitha Cumi.”