Today our story is found in Luke 8:40-42; Luke 8:49-56. Today we learn about a 12 year-old girl. Imagine that? A 12 year-old girl writing about another 12 year-old girl. The girl that we're talking about today was the daughter of Jairus, a leader in the synagogue.
41 Then a man named Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, came and fell at Jesus' feet, pleading with him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve, was dying. ....49 While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. "Your daughter is dead," he said. "Don't bother the teacher any more." 50 Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, "Don't be afraid; just believe, and she will be healed." 51 When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the child's father and mother. 52 Meanwhile, all the people were wailing and mourning for her. "Stop wailing," Jesus said. "She is not dead but asleep." 53 They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and said, "My child, get up!" 55 Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
Wow! For parents, how would you feel if your daughter (or son) died and then someone told you that your daughter (or son) was just sleeping? I don't know about you, but I would think that they were a little messed in the head. I might just have done what they did, laughed. She was dead, but Jesus woke her. He said, "My child, get up!" And then, "Her spirit returned, and at once she stood up." How exciting! She was dead, but with Jesus help, she got up. We can do the same thing. Jesus gives us life. He calls, and we can get up.