“Do not fear, only believe.” Jesus said these words after He heard that the little girl He was on the way to heal, had died. I wonder if in that statement, He was reiterating the words of the Psalm that said, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” – The psalm that talks about God being our Shepherd, being with us even when we are in the deep dark valley, even in death.
On the way, Jesus had already been interrupted by a woman also in need of healing. It might have appeared that the delay had prevented him from getting to Jairus’s daughter in time. “Why trouble the Teacher any further?” the one delivering the news asked.
But Jesus went into the home where the mourners were already gathered, wailing loudly because death had come. He told them the girl was not dead but merely sleeping. When they laughed, He put them out of the house and turned His attention to the girl.
The Scripture says He took her by the hand and said, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.” Most versions say, “little girl,” but the Aramaic phrase, “Talitha Cumi,” is a term of endearment that can actually mean “little lamb.” This has even richer meaning when we consider that He is the Good Shepherd. We are His sheep, and we know His voice (John 10).
The Good Shepherd called her from death by calling her “little lamb.” She knew His voice and “got up and began walking.”
Restored. Whole.
Still today, He calls us from death to life and saves all who call upon Him.
He restores our souls.
He leads us beside still waters and gives us rest.
He is the Good Shepherd.
Do not fear.
~Michelle Dowdy
Life By The Way 