Talitha koum!

Reflecting on Mark 5:21-42

“Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”).” (Mark 5:41)
As a Jesus follower, I long to hear Jesus say these words.
Not to me, but to people I am with who need waking up.
I’ve been with a young child who was dying, and also when he died.
With those dying with pain, or experiencing trauma or tragedy.
I’ve been with people whose lives were in shambles.
With those were despairing unto death, because of their circumstances.
With those who were stuck, trapped by addiction, or situations, or choices.

Was this girl really just sleeping, her shall breath unnoticeable?
Was she in a coma, or was she actually dead humanly speaking?
Is this an example of someone dying, then coming back?
Who knows, but Jesus’s voice was able to penetrate her situation.
And this gives me hope, and makes me eager to hear His Voice like this.

There is a gentleness to Jesus’s Voice as He speaks to this girl.
Compare this to the waiting and commotion of the professional mourners.
A still small voice penetrates the noise, and the gloom.
A whisper of hope, a gentle touch that opens her eyes.

Of course longing to hear His Voice leads to frustration as well.
For in the above situations they did not immediately get up.
They did not talitha koum, at least not when I was there.
Though maybe Jesus did speak, and I did not hear what he said.
What I saw suggested He didn’t speak, but maybe He did.
Maybe He whispered and called that little boy home.
Maybe for others He planted a whisper of hope, a small seed I couldn’t see.

Is my frustration something like the waiting and commotion?
Am I filling the air with noise, convinced of what I see?
That despair and death are the last word, that Jesus is not speaking?
As a Jesus follower, I long to hear Jesus say these words.
As a Jesus follower, I choose to trust that Jesus does speak.
Despite what I see and hear, Jesus is working in ways I cannot sense.

We are living in a world filled with wailing and commotion.
Many people laugh at the idea that Jesus brings hope, healing and life.
But like Peter, James and John, I’ve seen Jesus at work.
I’ve heard enough whispers of Jesus to know they’re there.
I am choosing to trust that Jesus is still working, still helping.
His goodness is spreading like seed in the midst of the storms.
Political and religious craziness – then and now – can’t silence Him.
Our own lack of faith, or failure to hear, do not silence Him.

These words, talitha koum, have a gentle, hopeful sound.
Repeat them to yourself, hear the peace and comfort they bring.
Stop the wailing and commotion, which don’t help anyway.
Sit in silence, breathe deep, and echo Jesus saying to you…
Talitha koum… talitha koum… talitha koum…
Little boy, little girl, open your eyes… and you will see me!

PRAYER
Lord Jesus, I trust that You are speaking, gently encouraging and healing in ways I cannot see or hear. But I wouldn't mind if You whispered and little louder, and in a way that I could see and hear clearly, like with this little girl.

Speak into the wailing and commotion filling our world right now, and raise up goodness, life, hope and healing.