April 8, 2025 • 30 mins
Can you trust Jesus even in your suffering?
Jesus raises Jairus' daughter from the dead, showcasing His divine authority and compassion. Despite the doubts and mourning around Him, Jesus brings hope and life, leaving everyone in awe of His miraculous power.
Today's Bible verse is Romans 12:12, from the King James Version.
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
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
(00:25):
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
(00:45):
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
(01:10):
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
(01:32):
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
(01:59):
praying with us 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
(02:25):
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, haabah, she whimpered. Jerius tucked the blankets in
(02:48):
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.
(03:11):
It 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 round his waist
with urgency. His hands were shaking, but his voice was
(03:34):
steady and resolved.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
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.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
Herjyus, you know what Cayphas and the others have said
about that man. Don't go causing trouble.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
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.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Jerryus 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.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
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
(04:44):
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
(05:05):
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
storytelling 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
(05:28):
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 to day 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.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
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
(06:12):
patted Peter on the back.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
He looked back at the rest of the weary disciples
and chuckled.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
And the laborers attired as well.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
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.
(06:47):
His knees hit the rocky shore, and he wept.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Jesus, my name is Ginas. I don't know where it's
to turn. Please, I need your help.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
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.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
It's my daughter, she's dying. Doctors have failed. Priests have prayed,
but nothing has worked. Please come and heal my little girl.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
Jesus took in the man. Her father's heart for his
child was something he could relate to, so with compassion
and his voice, he nodded to Jerius.
Speaker 4 (07:38):
Lead the way to your daughter. My friends will help
us get to the crowd.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
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.
Speaker 5 (07:56):
All right, folks, let's make some room for Jesus. We
have to get to the city. Come on, let's move.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
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.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
Move make way, we need to get through.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
They pushed through the crowd, driving their legs forward against them.
Speaker 5 (08:25):
Master, stay close behind us. These people will trample you
if we aren't careful.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
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.
Speaker 5 (08:45):
Growled, Jesus needs to get through step aside.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
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.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
My home is not far from here, Jesus, we are
almost there.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
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.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Could help Lord at place she holds on.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
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
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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
(10:20):
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,
(10:41):
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
(11:05):
down just.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
The hem of his robe.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
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
(11:30):
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
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in the briefest moment, she caught the hem of his garment,
tan 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
(12:11):
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, and her pain dissolved.
(12:32):
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.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
You see this crowd dressing in on you. It could
have been anyone.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Eleana came forward. Tears of joy and embarrassment streamed down
her cheeks. She felt relieved that she was healed, but
a shamed that she had been caught. She knelt at
his feet, trembling, half from fear and half from elation
(13:09):
at her healing. She kept her head.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
Lord, Please do not be angry with me.
Speaker 4 (13:15):
Lord, it was me.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
I knew if I could only touch the edge of
your coat, I would be healed.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
I knew.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
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
(13:47):
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,
(14:11):
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.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
Your faith has made you well.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
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 lighted bricks off
her shoulders. She backed away, slowly, finding it difficult to
(14:54):
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
(15:26):
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.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
We are in far Come, let's keep moving.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
However, their momentum was halted when two men came from
Jeriu's household. They were dressed in black, eyes swollen from
hours of tears. Jerius knew what they were going to
say before they opened their mouths.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
IRUs, We're so sorry she's gone. Don't bother the teacher
any more. Come, you have to mourn your daughter properly.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
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.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
Don't be afraid, Gyris. I know how it seems, but
I'm asking you to believe.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
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, Peter, James, John, you three will
come with me Andrew, You and the others need to
(16:51):
keep the crowds at a safe distance. 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
(17:13):
every one 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 aloud. It was the custom that hired mourners
(17:33):
would come to grieve with the family when some one 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 pressed her
(17:55):
head against his chest and sobbed.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
My little girl is gone. Her tiny lungs breathe the
last This morning.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
The damn broke behind Jerry's eyes. He sobbed with his
wife in his arms.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
I'm so saddy, I wasn't dear.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
His wife looked over Jerry's shoulder to Jesus, you're too late,
she said, wiping her eyes with frustrated strokes.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
My husband could have been here, but instead he was
getting you.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
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.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
Cease this noise. What's with all this commotion? The girl
isn't dead, She's asleep.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
The mourners laughed, but the girl's mother was far from amused.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
How dare you you think I wouldn't know if my
own daughter was dead? Who do you think you are?
Speaker 4 (19:18):
Gyrus?
Speaker 3 (19:19):
Who did you bring into our home? You know what
Kayph has said about this man.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
Take me to her and you will see.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
Jerius 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
(19:48):
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. It made their
(20:12):
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
(20:32):
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
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and smiled, Then softly, he tilted his head to the side,
leaned in and whispered.
Speaker 4 (21:06):
Dally dukumie, little her, I say to you.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
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
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their daughter's neck. What's wrong, the girl asked, innocently.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
You're crying.
Speaker 3 (21:42):
Did something happen?
Speaker 1 (21:43):
Jerius grabbed his girl's face and kissed her.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
Oh, my child, nothing is wrong. We're just so happy
to see you.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
Jerious. Wife turned to Jesus, eyes glistening with joy. Thank you,
whispered Jesus grinned with his eyes, then turned to leave.
Speaker 4 (22:05):
We're going to leave now. Please tell no one what
has happened here. The crowd outside is large enough.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
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, make sure she
gets something to eat. She must be hungry. The little
girl smiled. Jesus winked back and left with his disciples.
(22:34):
They walked down the stairs and gestured to the hired mourners.
Speaker 4 (22:38):
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.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
With those words, Jesus left out the door. The mourners
looked at each other, puzzled. Jesus stepped on to the
dirt path. The crowd was out there waiting for him.
He smiled, drew a deep breath, and walked toward them.
Speaker 3 (23:12):
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 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,
(23:34):
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
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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,
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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
(24:37):
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 constraint to time. He exists across time,
knowing the past, present, in future, which means that his
(25:00):
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
(25:22):
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 Tecod 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,
(25:43):
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 repentance, 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.
(26:07):
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 Jyris was able to
learn this lesson, he must first learn another. When he
arrived at home, those that met him to tell him
(26:28):
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
(26:50):
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
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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.
(27:35):
He tells him to believe. Even when it seemed like
the task had failed and the others doubted and laughed
at Jesus. Jyris 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. Perhaps they've
(27:56):
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
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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
(28:41):
a loss of innocence, there's been a loss of a
childlike faith. You've been jaded through your trials and 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 child like faith in you has
been snuffed out by any sort of tragedy or heartbreak,
(29:04):
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,
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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
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read more about the ministry of Jesus, as you pray
and lean into his character, as you act out his
commands 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.
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
(00:25):
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
(00:45):
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
(01:10):
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
(01:32):
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
(01:59):
praying with us 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
(02:25):
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, haabah, she whimpered. Jerius tucked the blankets in
(02:48):
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.
(03:11):
It 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 round his waist
with urgency. His hands were shaking, but his voice was
(03:34):
steady and resolved.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
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.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
Herjyus, you know what Cayphas and the others have said
about that man. Don't go causing trouble.
Speaker 2 (03:53):
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.
Speaker 1 (04:07):
Jerryus 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.
Speaker 3 (04:24):
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
(04:44):
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
(05:05):
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
storytelling 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
(05:28):
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 to day 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.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
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
(06:12):
patted Peter on the back.
Speaker 4 (06:14):
The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
He looked back at the rest of the weary disciples
and chuckled.
Speaker 4 (06:22):
And the laborers attired as well.
Speaker 1 (06:24):
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.
(06:47):
His knees hit the rocky shore, and he wept.
Speaker 2 (06:50):
Jesus, my name is Ginas. I don't know where it's
to turn. Please, I need your help.
Speaker 1 (06:59):
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.
Speaker 2 (07:12):
It's my daughter, she's dying. Doctors have failed. Priests have prayed,
but nothing has worked. Please come and heal my little girl.
Speaker 1 (07:25):
Jesus took in the man. Her father's heart for his
child was something he could relate to, so with compassion
and his voice, he nodded to Jerius.
Speaker 4 (07:38):
Lead the way to your daughter. My friends will help
us get to the crowd.
Speaker 1 (07:43):
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.
Speaker 5 (07:56):
All right, folks, let's make some room for Jesus. We
have to get to the city. Come on, let's move.
Speaker 1 (08:03):
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.
Speaker 3 (08:18):
Move make way, we need to get through.
Speaker 1 (08:21):
They pushed through the crowd, driving their legs forward against them.
Speaker 5 (08:25):
Master, stay close behind us. These people will trample you
if we aren't careful.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
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.
Speaker 5 (08:45):
Growled, Jesus needs to get through step aside.
Speaker 1 (08:50):
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.
Speaker 2 (09:01):
My home is not far from here, Jesus, we are
almost there.
Speaker 1 (09:05):
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.
Speaker 2 (09:28):
Could help Lord at place she holds on.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
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
(09:56):
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
(10:20):
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,
(10:41):
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
(11:05):
down just.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
The hem of his robe.
Speaker 1 (11:09):
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
(11:30):
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
(11:51):
in the briefest moment, she caught the hem of his garment,
tan 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
(12:11):
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, and her pain dissolved.
(12:32):
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.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
You see this crowd dressing in on you. It could
have been anyone.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
Eleana came forward. Tears of joy and embarrassment streamed down
her cheeks. She felt relieved that she was healed, but
a shamed that she had been caught. She knelt at
his feet, trembling, half from fear and half from elation
(13:09):
at her healing. She kept her head.
Speaker 3 (13:13):
Lord, Please do not be angry with me.
Speaker 4 (13:15):
Lord, it was me.
Speaker 1 (13:18):
I knew if I could only touch the edge of
your coat, I would be healed.
Speaker 4 (13:23):
I knew.
Speaker 1 (13:24):
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
(13:47):
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,
(14:11):
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.
Speaker 4 (14:29):
Your faith has made you well.
Speaker 1 (14:31):
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 lighted bricks off
her shoulders. She backed away, slowly, finding it difficult to
(14:54):
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
(15:26):
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.
Speaker 2 (15:40):
We are in far Come, let's keep moving.
Speaker 1 (15:43):
However, their momentum was halted when two men came from
Jeriu's household. They were dressed in black, eyes swollen from
hours of tears. Jerius knew what they were going to
say before they opened their mouths.
Speaker 4 (16:00):
IRUs, We're so sorry she's gone. Don't bother the teacher
any more. Come, you have to mourn your daughter properly.
Speaker 1 (16:09):
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.
Speaker 4 (16:22):
Don't be afraid, Gyris. I know how it seems, but
I'm asking you to believe.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
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, Peter, James, John, you three will
come with me Andrew, You and the others need to
(16:51):
keep the crowds at a safe distance. 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
(17:13):
every one 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 aloud. It was the custom that hired mourners
(17:33):
would come to grieve with the family when some one 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 pressed her
(17:55):
head against his chest and sobbed.
Speaker 3 (18:04):
My little girl is gone. Her tiny lungs breathe the
last This morning.
Speaker 1 (18:12):
The damn broke behind Jerry's eyes. He sobbed with his
wife in his arms.
Speaker 2 (18:20):
I'm so saddy, I wasn't dear.
Speaker 1 (18:27):
His wife looked over Jerry's shoulder to Jesus, you're too late,
she said, wiping her eyes with frustrated strokes.
Speaker 3 (18:37):
My husband could have been here, but instead he was
getting you.
Speaker 1 (18:42):
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.
Speaker 4 (19:00):
Cease this noise. What's with all this commotion? The girl
isn't dead, She's asleep.
Speaker 1 (19:06):
The mourners laughed, but the girl's mother was far from amused.
Speaker 3 (19:12):
How dare you you think I wouldn't know if my
own daughter was dead? Who do you think you are?
Speaker 4 (19:18):
Gyrus?
Speaker 3 (19:19):
Who did you bring into our home? You know what
Kayph has said about this man.
Speaker 4 (19:24):
Take me to her and you will see.
Speaker 1 (19:27):
Jerius 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
(19:48):
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. It made their
(20:12):
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
(20:32):
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
(20:56):
and smiled, Then softly, he tilted his head to the side,
leaned in and whispered.
Speaker 4 (21:06):
Dally dukumie, little her, I say to you.
Speaker 1 (21:11):
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
(21:36):
their daughter's neck. What's wrong, the girl asked, innocently.
Speaker 2 (21:40):
You're crying.
Speaker 3 (21:42):
Did something happen?
Speaker 1 (21:43):
Jerius grabbed his girl's face and kissed her.
Speaker 2 (21:47):
Oh, my child, nothing is wrong. We're just so happy
to see you.
Speaker 1 (21:54):
Jerious. Wife turned to Jesus, eyes glistening with joy. Thank you,
whispered Jesus grinned with his eyes, then turned to leave.
Speaker 4 (22:05):
We're going to leave now. Please tell no one what
has happened here. The crowd outside is large enough.
Speaker 1 (22:14):
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, make sure she
gets something to eat. She must be hungry. The little
girl smiled. Jesus winked back and left with his disciples.
(22:34):
They walked down the stairs and gestured to the hired mourners.
Speaker 4 (22:38):
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.
Speaker 1 (22:48):
With those words, Jesus left out the door. The mourners
looked at each other, puzzled. Jesus stepped on to the
dirt path. The crowd was out there waiting for him.
He smiled, drew a deep breath, and walked toward them.
Speaker 3 (23:12):
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 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,
(23:34):
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
(23:55):
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,
(24:16):
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
(24:37):
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 constraint to time. He exists across time,
knowing the past, present, in future, which means that his
(25:00):
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
(25:22):
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 Tecod 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,
(25:43):
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 repentance, 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.
(26:07):
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 Jyris was able to
learn this lesson, he must first learn another. When he
arrived at home, those that met him to tell him
(26:28):
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
(26:50):
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
(27:13):
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.
(27:35):
He tells him to believe. Even when it seemed like
the task had failed and the others doubted and laughed
at Jesus. Jyris 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. Perhaps they've
(27:56):
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
(28:19):
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
(28:41):
a loss of innocence, there's been a loss of a
childlike faith. You've been jaded through your trials and 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 child like faith in you has
been snuffed out by any sort of tragedy or heartbreak,
(29:04):
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,
(29:26):
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
(29:49):
read more about the ministry of Jesus, as you pray
and lean into his character, as you act out his
commands 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.
Host
Zak Shellabarger
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