Little Girl, Arise!

00:00:00 Speaker 1: Rejoicing in hope, enduring in troubles, continuing steadfastly in prayer Romans twelve twelve. Heavenly Father, our hearts are moved by the profound guidance your word provides in a world teeming with challenges and uncertainties. This verse shines as a directive for our souls, urging us to embrace a posture of resilience and devotion. Lord, fill us with a joy that transcends our circumstances and roots us in the hope of your promises. In moments of affliction, Grant us patience that we may endure with grace, seeing beyond the temporary into the eternal plan you have for us. Strengthen our faith, making us steadfast in prayer, constantly seeking your face and your will in every aspect of our lives. Embolden us to live out this calling with passion and perseverance. May our lives be a testament to your enduring faithfulness and love. Let us be beacons of hope, carriers of peace, and vessels of your unending grace in a world in desperate need of your light. In the midst of it all, remind us that we are never alone, for you are with us, guiding us, comforting us, and empowering us to overcome through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen, Thank you for praying with me today. Welcome back to the Jesus Podcast. Gospel inspired stories created and crafted to entertain and enliven your faith. Has the Jesus Podcast blessed you? Has it given you hope? We would love it if you'd left us a review. Thanks for giving hope a voice. Jerius held his daughter's hand in his. He stroked her hair gently and hummed her favorite him. Her fever had taken over her whole body. She shivered and shook in her bed. I'm cold, habah, she whimpered. Jerius tucked the blankets in tighter and kissed her cheek. Jerius felt helpless. He brought physicians, He implored the priests. No one could help. He continued to hum until his daughter was fast asleep. Each time she closed her eyes, Jerious feared they wouldn't open again. There was every parent's nightmare. Jerius stood and walked down the steps into the main room. He seized his coat and grabbed his staff. What are you doing, his wife asked nervously. Jerius tied a small pack around his waist with urgency. His hands were shaking, but his voice was steady and resolved. 00:03:36 Speaker 2: We've tried everything. We've hired doctors, consulted healers and inquired the priests with nothing. I'm leaving to find some one I know can heal her Gyrous. 00:03:48 Speaker 3: You know what Kyphus and the others have said about that man, don't go causing trouble. 00:03:53 Speaker 2: I don't care about trouble. I care about that little girl up stairs straining for every If Jesus of Nezadith can heal her, I will accept whatever consequences come. 00:04:07 Speaker 1: Jerry As stormed out of his house and bolted for the coast. He knew that Jesus would be there. An entire crowd was already formed at the shore, waiting for him. 00:04:24 Speaker 4: Where do you turn to in your pain? Sometimes when we experience pain, it's really easy to turn away from the Lord. We feel like he's robbed us of something, or that it's his fault somehow, so we turn, we run, we hide. But what ends up happening is a compounding of our pain. We suffer once in our trial, and then we suffer again because we're far away from the comfort of the Lord. The prophet Joel encourages Israel with these words, return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love Juel two thirteen. Remember Jesus in your time of need. Sometimes when we're experiencing pain and anguish, it could be hard to turn to God. But take comfort in this, my friends, when you do decide to turn to Him, he is in far behind. Welcome to the Jesus Podcast, a year's story showcasing the depth of Christ's love through story telling and the glory of God's truth through honest reflection. I'm Zach, your host from pray dot Com, and you're here for another heartwarming story of Jesus's compassionate love. As we begin, be sure to follow the podcast so you can hear more miracles of the Messiah and stay tuned for other little seasons that we have coming ahead. Our miracle today is a heavy one, especially if you're a parent. We'll begin by entering into any parent's worst nightmare, caring for your sick child on the verge of death. 00:05:48 Speaker 1: Morning rolled over the sea, casting an orange glow on the golden waters. Jesus sat in the fishing boat with his friends gliding beside the shore. Another crowd emerged on the sands, awaiting Jesus. Peter held back a groan, then drew a deep breath in preparation for more people. Jesus patted Peter on the back. 00:06:14 Speaker 3: The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers a few. 00:06:18 Speaker 1: He looked back at the rest of the weary disciples and chuckled. 00:06:22 Speaker 3: And the laborers attired as well. 00:06:24 Speaker 1: I see the companions propped themselves up and braced to anchor. The crowd gathered and followed along the bank down the sandy shore line. When the boat finally pulled up and they stepped off, a man from the synagogue pushed through the crowd, threw himself forward and fell at jesus feet. His knees hit the rocky shore, and he wept. 00:06:50 Speaker 2: Jesus, my name is Jyas. I don't know where it's to turn. Please, I need your help. 00:06:59 Speaker 1: The disciple looked to Jerius with skepticism. Not many religious officials treated Jesus with such respect. Jerius held out his arms, his lower lick quivering with desperation. 00:07:12 Speaker 2: It's my daughter, she's dying. Doctors have failed priests have prayed, but nothing has worked. 00:07:19 Speaker 5: Please come and hear. 00:07:22 Speaker 2: My little girl. 00:07:25 Speaker 1: Jesus took in the man. A father's heart for his child was something he could relate to, so with compassion and his voice, he nodded to Jerius. 00:07:38 Speaker 3: Lead the way to your daughter. My friends will help us get through the crowd. 00:07:43 Speaker 1: Jesus looked back at Peter and Andrew. They nodded, knowing exactly what their role was. Peter cracked his neck and rolled his shoulders back. He stepped forward with a smile. 00:07:56 Speaker 6: All right, folks, let's make some room for Jesus. We have to get to the city. Come on, let's move. 00:08:03 Speaker 1: Andrew drew a deep breath and began pushing through the crowd with Peter. The brothers pressed through. Jesus and Jerrius walked close behind the crowd, thrashed against the small group of men to the city. 00:08:18 Speaker 4: Move make way, we need to get through. 00:08:21 Speaker 1: They pushed through the crowd, driving their legs forward against them. 00:08:25 Speaker 6: Master, stay close behind us. These people will trample you if we aren't careful. 00:08:30 Speaker 1: Jesus was on a mission. A little girl was sick and needing his healing touch, but the crowd of fans wouldn't relent. They were like thrashing waves against the shore. Peter cursed under his breath and. 00:08:45 Speaker 6: Growled, Jesus needs to get through step aside. 00:08:50 Speaker 1: Peter was a force to be reckoned. With years of hauling nets and fishing boats had hardened his shoulders, Yet even he was growing exhausted against the weight of the crowd. 00:09:01 Speaker 2: My home is not far from here, Jesus, we are almost there. 00:09:05 Speaker 1: Jerius was visibly uneasy. He feared that his mission to find Jesus would rob him of his final moments with his daughter. But desperation and a father's heart compelled him. Even though he was a member of their religious system that despised Jesus, Jerius knew in his heart that nobody else could help. 00:09:29 Speaker 2: Lord. 00:09:30 Speaker 5: I place you hoods on. 00:09:32 Speaker 1: The group weaved through the city streets, placed with people. The crowd was like an overflowing river after a heavy rain, thrashing against the banks. They pulled and grabbed at Jesus, trying to get his attention. Jesus, however, was on a mission. This little girl was his singular focus, the purpose by which he marched. She turned back to the crowd and saw Jesus rounding the corner. He was only a few hundred feet away from her, but he seemed so far. Her heart began to pound and her hands started to tremble. She knew Jesus could heal her. Her cure was only a few paces away. Would she endure the pain and shame to find redemption? She lifted herself, blood dripping from her trembling legs, with a force more powerful than the pain compelling her, she moved forward. Her heart pumped slow, fatigued sweat dripped down her brow. Her red shawl and scarves made her stand out in the crowd, but still she had to push through. To pass, the crowd wouldn't move for her. She had to muscle her way through. She pressed with all her might, burying her pain deep down just. 00:11:10 Speaker 5: The hem of his robe. 00:11:14 Speaker 1: Ugh, if I could just reach his garment, that'll be healed her vision when speckled at the edges, her body swayed faint. She wanted to fall to her knees, let the stampede of the crowd overrun her. But this was her one chance, her chance to be healed by the man they said was the great physician, the very hand of God. It took all the strength inside her to move through the last bit of the crowd, and she pushed through the swarm of them until she caught a glimpse of him and lunged, falling on her knees, and in the briefest moment she called the hem of his garment and fresh crisp linen, and fell face first into the dirt. The crowd rotated forward around her, all the weight and tumult with it. She lay still in the dirt, legs curled up and arms covering her head. But something was different in that instant. Her insides knit together, the power of God pulled flesh into flesh. Then her pain dissolved. But in the center of the crowd, Jesus stopped. He had felt something. Then he turned who touched me? Beside him? Peter and Johnman exchanged a look. 00:12:48 Speaker 6: You see this crowd dressing in on you. 00:12:51 Speaker 2: It could have been anyone. 00:12:53 Speaker 1: Eleana came forward. Tears of joy and embarrassment streamed down her cheeks. She felt relieved that she was healed, but ashamed that she had been caught. She knelt at his feet, trembling, half from fear and half from elation. At her healing. She kept her head. 00:13:17 Speaker 4: Lord, Please do not be angry with me. 00:13:19 Speaker 3: Lord, it was me. 00:13:22 Speaker 5: I knew if I could only touch the edge of your coat, I would be healed. 00:13:27 Speaker 1: I knew I The words trailed off as Eleana felt her body again. Her cramps, her fatigue, her discomfort all gone. She felt whole again, She felt clean. It was all so overwhelming. She wasn't sure whether to jump for joy or run and hide. Jesus softened and the crowd became silent. Jesus urgent mission could wait. Before him was a broken and lonely child in need of attention. He knelt to her and met her eye lined daughter Eleana looked up at Jesus, eyes watering with sorrow and delight. His eyes were warm and kind. It had been a long time since someone had looked at her without disgust or fear. He placed a hand on her shoulder. 00:14:34 Speaker 3: Your faith has made you well. 00:14:36 Speaker 1: He helped lift Eleana to her feet and smiled, Go in peace. Eleana finally allowed herself to breathe. She sighed, and the weight of twelve years fell lightened bricks off her shoulders. She backed away, slowly, finding it difficult to release her gaze from the one who healed her. She turned and walked. Her strides quickly turned to skips, and those skips turned into dancing. She was finally free, not just of forrailment, but the chronic shame. Jerius did his best to hold back frustration. This sweet and tender interruption only made him more anxious. Every moment Jesus spent with some one else was a moment away from his dying daughter. 00:15:44 Speaker 2: We aren't far come, let's keep moving. 00:15:47 Speaker 1: However, their momentum was halted when two men came from Jerru's household. They were dressed in black, eyes swollen from hours of tears. Jerry knew what they were going to say before they opened their. 00:16:03 Speaker 5: Mouths, Gyrus, we're so sorry she's gone. Don't bother the teacher anymore. Come, you have to mourn your daughter properly. 00:16:13 Speaker 1: Jerius clenched his chest, about to crumple to his knees, But just as he was about to fall forward in grief, Jesus caught him by the shoulders and kept him upright. 00:16:26 Speaker 3: Don't be afraid, Gyrius. I know how it seems, but I'm asking you to believe. 00:16:33 Speaker 1: Jerius looked up at Jesus. His despair was held at bay for a moment. Jerius nodded and allowed his feet to hold his weight for just a bit longer. Jesus turned to his disciples. 00:16:48 Speaker 3: Peter, James, John, you three will come with me Andrew, You and the others need to keep the crowds at a safe distance. 00:16:57 Speaker 1: Jesus walked by Jerius's side, while Peter, James, and John trailed a few paces behind. Jerrus home was at the end of the road, grandiose and edged with date palms and fountains. Jerius slapped open the heavy wood door to his home, but inside everyone was already grieving. Three men dressed in black played flutes and lyars melodies of mourning and loss. Women covered in black veils wept at the entrance. Their cries were obnoxiously loud. It was the custom that hired mourners would come to grieve with the family when someone died. They wailed, they wept, they screamed. It was all a bit too much for Jesus. Jerius's wife, adorned in a thick black veil, walked sombrely down the winding steps. Her head was low as she approached Jerius. She press her head against his chest and sobbed. 00:18:08 Speaker 4: My little girl is gone. Her tiny lungs breathe the last. 00:18:14 Speaker 1: This morning, the damn broke behind Jerry's eyes. He sobbed with his wife in his arms. 00:18:24 Speaker 2: I'm so saddy, I wasn't dear. 00:18:31 Speaker 1: His wife looked over Jerry's shoulder to. 00:18:33 Speaker 3: Jesus, you're too late, she said. 00:18:37 Speaker 1: Wiping her eyes with frustrated strokes. 00:18:41 Speaker 4: My husband could have been here, but instead he was getting you. 00:18:46 Speaker 1: Jesus didn't take her jab personally. She was grieving, bereaved of her little girl. The mourners continued to wail in the background. Their constant cries were sharp and loud. Jesus turned to them and raised his hands for them to stop. 00:19:04 Speaker 3: Cease this noise. What's with all this commotion? The girl isn't dead, She's asleep. 00:19:11 Speaker 1: The mourners laughed, but the girl's mother was far full amused. 00:19:16 Speaker 3: How dare you you think I wouldn't know if my own daughter was dead? 00:19:20 Speaker 4: Who do you think you are? 00:19:22 Speaker 3: Jyrus? 00:19:23 Speaker 5: Who did you bring into our home? 00:19:25 Speaker 3: You know what Kyphe has said about this man. Take me to her and you will see. 00:19:31 Speaker 1: Jerrius gave his wife a reassuring nod, then led Jesus, Peter, James, and John to the entrance of the upper room. Jesus opened the door softly. He stepped in to see the little girl lying in her bed. Her face was pale and lifeless. There was no restless stirring of a dreaming child or sounds of her soft breathing. There was no life in the room. Without question, she was gone. The feeling of sorrow was palpable, thick enough to be cut with a knife. Peter and the others turned away, Seeing a dead child was a dreadful thing had made their hearts ache and stomach's churn. Jesus stepped softly, as if too much noise would wake her. He approached the side of her bed and knelt down. Jesus took her small, cold hand in his. He stroked her hair gently. Her mother and father wept at the entrance, unable to step forward. Jesus looked at the little girl with love. He remembered her. He knew every hair on her head, He knew her hopes and dreams for the future. He even knew what she had named her dolls. He tenderly touched her forehead and smiled. Then softly, he tilted his head to the side, leaned in and whispered. 00:21:10 Speaker 3: Tally, dukumie, little girl, I say to you. 00:21:15 Speaker 1: Arise. Then, as if the girl was waking from a deep sleep, she opened her eyes. She stretched under her covers and yawned. Jerius and his wife burst into the room and fell at her side. Jesus rose up to his feet and stepped back. The two parents sobbed on their daughter's neck. What's wrong, the girl asked, innocently, you're crying. 00:21:46 Speaker 5: Did something happen? 00:21:48 Speaker 1: Jerius grabbed his girl's face and kissed her. 00:21:51 Speaker 5: Oh, my child, nothing is wrong. 00:21:55 Speaker 2: We're just so happy to see you. 00:21:58 Speaker 1: Jeriu's wife turned to Jesus, eyes glistening with joy. 00:22:02 Speaker 3: Thank you, she whispered. 00:22:05 Speaker 1: Jesus grinned with his eyes, then turned to leave. 00:22:09 Speaker 3: We're going to leave now. Please tell no one what has happened here. The crowd outside is large enough. 00:22:18 Speaker 1: Jesus gestured for Peter, James and John to leave. He wouldn't steal any of their time. Before leaving, he poked his head through the door and said. 00:22:28 Speaker 3: Make sure she gets something to eat. She must be hungry. 00:22:31 Speaker 1: The little girl smiled Jesus winked back and left with his disciples. They walked down the stairs and gestured to the hired mourners. 00:22:43 Speaker 3: My friends, it's as I said, She's awake and well, your services are no longer needed, unless any of you wish to fetch her a snack. 00:22:53 Speaker 1: With those words, Jesus left out the door. The mourners looked at each other. Jesus stepped onto the dirt path. The crowd was out there waiting for him. He smiled, drew a deep breath, and walked toward them. 00:23:16 Speaker 4: Jesus healed many throughout his ministry, but only a fraction of them are recorded in detail throughout the Gospels. And while they're all noteworthy in play a significant part in developing our understanding of Jesus's character, few stand out quite like this. This miracle includes Jesus bringing somebody back to life. We can shake our heads and scoff at some of Jesus's miracles, but I want you to consider for a moment the marvel that is scientific innovation. We can rebuild muscles, we can cure diseases, we can even restore sight in some instances. Why is it so absurd to think that these things are possible, but something we as people can never manufacture is the ability to bring somebody back from death. If there was anything that was a definitive way to show that Jesus was the son of God, it was by giving life and showing beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jesus can conquer death itself. While Gyros may not have known at the time he came to Jesus that this would be the miracle he would perform, Jesus did perform it. If we didn't know the end of this story, we might think that Jesus's timing was unfortunate from a human perspective. When Gyros left his daughter, she was fighting for her life. All Gyros needed to do was get to the healer to his house before it was too late. Yet, knowing how close the young girl was to death, Jesus stops in the middle of the commotion over the synagogue leader's home. We might blame the woman with the issue of blood for being the reason for the speed bump, but in reality, it was Jesus that created the delay. God's timing is often different from our timing. We see things through a fixed perspective. We know the past observe the present, and we can only guess at the future. But God is in constraints of time. He exists across time, knowing the past, present, in future, which means that his understanding what is best at any given moment is far greater than our own. It's likely that you've had times in your life where you've questioned what God was doing, or it felt like he was delaying at a response to your earnest prayers, and maybe that's been frustrating for you. But to see this miracle in its fullness, it reminds us to trust in Jesus's timing. If God seems to be delaying and doing what you're asking of him, it's a good sign that he's just preparing something better. Peter gives an example of this as he relates to Jesus's return in Second Peter three nine. The Lord is not slow to keeping his promise as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. If you're a believer, you might have asked yourself why Jesus can't just come back now and create a new heaven and earth. And while it would be better for us, we understand why God wants to delay a little bit. He desires for more people to come to repent. It's more salvation when you're ready to move things forward. But it seems like God isn't. There's probably a good reason for it. Trust that his timing is good and that he has what's best in mind. Before entering into the house, Jesus responds to the news that Gyrus's daughter is dead. He looks at the synagogue leader and tells him not to be afraid. He tells him to believe. Even when it seems like all hope is lost, Jesus maintains hope. Before Jyros was able to learn this lesson, he must first learn another. When he arrived at home, those that met him to tell him his daughter was dead told him to stop bothering the teacher Jesus. But Gyros needed to understand that he wasn't a bother to Jesus. The Lord was the one who came to the disciple to perform a miracle. Nobody forced him there. He was willing to wade through the crowds and sacrifice his time for Gyros in his family. So why would Jesus consider him to be a bother. Now Jesus wants us to come to him and know that we're not a bother to him either. After Jesus feeds the five thousand in John chapter six, the disciples meet him and the Lord tells them all those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me, I will never drive away. Jesus came to earth in the fullness of humanity. He is Immanuel God with us, so we don't have to wonder if he wants to be around us. This was the reason he came. He came for unity with us. He came to walk side by side with us and our trials, our struggles, and our heartache. He calls you to draw closer to him. You are not a bother. He loves it when you declare dependence upon him. Before entering the house, Jesus responds to the news that Gyrus's daughter is dead. He looks to the synagogue leader and tells him not to be afraid. He tells him to believe. Even when it seemed like the task had failed and the others doubted and laughed at Jesus, Gyris was called to continue to believe. Maybe you can relate to this. Maybe God has given you assurance even when it seems like there's not a lot of hope. And maybe others have looked down upon you, thinking that your hope is an empty one. They've even dissuaded you from hoping in God with good intentions, not wanting you to wind up disappointed. But when God makes a promise, he's going to keep it. When he puts a plan into motion, he's going to complete it. Don't be afraid when it seems like things have gone wrong, continued believe in the power of God, and don't be afraid. Our God is with us. And now it's time for Jesus to do one of his most miraculous acts. He leaned down to this girl and he said, talitha kumai, little girl, I say to you, get up and rise. Jesus spoke to this girl with a tenderness. Jesus is tender to us in our heartbreak. Jesus is attentive to our needs. Perhaps today there's an inner child in you that is in need of healing or resurrection. There's been a loss of innocence, there's been a loss of a childlike faith. You've been jaded through your trials in the world, has left you callous to any sort of hope or any sort of feeling of joy. Maybe you've spiraled into anxiety and depression. Maybe the responsibilities of life have weighed you down. The childlike faith in you has been snuffed out by any sort of tragedy or heartbreak, familial dysfunction, bad relationships. But I want to speak to you, My friend. Jesus is tenderly leaning in and saying, Talitha kumai, little child, get up, the child that is within you. The innocence within you can be rekindled. Jesus wants to speak to the exuberant, life filled child within you and say, live this life. Live this life to the fullest. There's still potential. Hope is not lost. There's still a future for you to experience. There's still joy for you to be had, there's still laughter for you to exude, and there's still this beautiful future for you. My friends, Talitha Kumai, arise. Allow the childlike faith within you to ignite. As you read more about the ministry of Jesus, as you pray and lean into his character, as you act out his commands in in real life. Arise, my friends, don't lose heart in this broken creation. Come to him trusting in his plan. Believe and do not be afraid. Be filled with the Holy Spirit and hope in Him as the giver of life.