(Pronounced: “Tal-leetha Queue my” for effect rhyming)
NARRATOR
He must have been quite tired –
many miracles done that day,
but willing to do much more,
no-one was turned away.
So, when he heard the girl was dying,
he said, “Just believe, don’t be afraid.”
Knowing where healing comes from,
he looked to his father and prayed.
(pause)
No-one heard his words,
no-one knew what he was feeling.
There seemed to be a secret
that he was not revealing.
Anxious father, worried mother,
lots of friends and family,
shuffled around Jesus,
murmuring impatiently.
While their stomachs tied in knots
and they wrung their hands with worry,
Jesus did not seem troubled
and he wasn’t in a hurry.
Suddenly the father
pushed through the crowd,
face stained with burning tears
and screaming out so loud.
JAIRUS
She’s dead! Our child is dead!
Oh, my heart is bleeding!
I’ve spent so many hours
praying to God and pleading!
NARRATOR
As this declaration
rose into the air,
the truth behind the words
were more than they could bear.
Wails and screams, shouts, and cries
were heard across the plain.
How tragic that this little girl
would never breathe again.
The situation was hopeless,
people fell to the ground.
Mud was wet, hearts were torn.
There was a dreadful, mournful sound.
MOURNER 1
Oh, Jairus, we’re so sorry,
what else can we do
but join you on your knees
and mourn along with you?
MOURNER 2
I thought you said this Jesus man
was going to come along,
and see what he could do for you –
but, everything’s gone wrong!
NARRATOR
A face of calm and eyes of peace
looked up into the sky.
A mouth muttered silently,
but nobody knew why.
For a moment, he closed his eyes
and let out a gentle sigh.
He whispered something that sounded like,
“Talitha Cumi.”
Knowing who had faith in him,
he knew who to take along.
and walking off, he raised a hand
to push away the throng.
JESUS
No-one follow me
except for Peter, James, and John.
MOURNER 3
Don’t bother now, Jesus,
the little girl has gone.
Twenty minutes ago
she took her last breath.
These mourners have come
to grieve over her death.
JESUS
There’s no need to mourn
and please do not weep,
for this man’s precious daughter
is only asleep.
MOURNER 4
Oh, do not mock us!
Do not gloat!
There is no air
inside her throat!
MOURNER 5
Do not tease us!
Do not lie!
She is dead!
That’s why we cry!
NARRATOR
Contempt and anger rose,
some turned away disgusted.
Others walked off mocking,
“This man cannot be trusted!”
JESUS
I appreciate your care,
I salute your devotion,
but there is no need for
this uproar and commotion.
(pause)
NARRATOR
As he reached the house,
there were mourners everywhere,
some ripping their garments,
some with ashes in their hair.
(pause)
The actions of Jesus
were to be concealed,
for a heart of faith was needed
for this child to be healed.
The parents trusted him,
but they could still hear
words of negativity
filling the atmosphere.
Positive words were needed
for this life to resume,
so, the mother and father
were ushered into the room.
The rest of the naysayers
who were pronouncing her demise,
did not know they had become
the Devil’s best allies.
So, they were made to stay
outside the room and wail,
while faith-filled declarations
inside, would prevail.
(pause)
Jesus leant beside the girl.
Her body, lay so still.
But this did not bother him,
for he knew his father’s will.
He gently took her by the hand,
so limp, so pale, so weak.
But with authority and power,
Jesus began to speak:
JESUS
TALITHA CUMI,
I SAY UNTO YOU, ARISE!
TALITHA CUMI,
I HOLD YOUR HAND – OPEN YOUR EYES.
TALITHA CUMI,
WHY WEEP? SHE IS NOT DEAD –
JUST SLEEPING.
MY CHILD, LIFT UP YOUR HEAD.
NARRATOR
They stood outside the door.
They pressed their ears against the wood,
grumbling and mocking,
for no-one understood.
What was he doing inside the room?
Why was he telling her to wake?
Was this man really a healer?
Or was he a heartless fake?
JESUS
TALITHA CUMI,
I SAY UNTO YOU, ARISE!
TALITHA CUMI,
I HOLD YOUR HAND – OPEN YOUR EYES.
TALITHA CUMI,
WHY WEEP? SHE IS NOT DEAD –
JUST SLEEPING.
MY CHILD, LIFT UP YOUR HEAD.
NARRATOR
Light flooded the room
as the body took a breath.
The Saviour proved once again
he had power over death.
She did as he commanded,
she sat up with eyes alert;
her brain-function was in order
and her body was not hurt.
JAIRUS
My baby! My child! Oh, praise Jesus, my child!
She opened her eyes and my precious one smiled!
DAUGHTER
Daddy, I’m thirsty, can I have some water?
JAIRUS
Oh Jesus, you’ve healed my precious daughter!
MOURNERS
(All together)
TALITHA CUMI,
HE SAID UNTO HER, ‘ARISE’.
TALITHA CUMI,
SHE OPENED UP HER EYES.
TALITHA CUMI,
THE GIRL ROSE FROM THE DEAD.
SHE WOKE UP
AND GOT OUT OF HER BED!
WELL, WE GLORIFY
THE GOD UP IN THE SKIES!
WE TESTIFY,
IT’S BEEN A BIG SURPRISE!
WE VERIFY,
NOTHING ELSE CAN BE SAID
WE HAD UNBELIEF,
BUT NOW HAVE FAITH INSTEAD!
NARRATOR
(Turns to the audience)
Peace, I leave with you. My peace I give you.
I do not give to you as the world gives.
do not let your hearts be troubled
and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)
-The End-
