Restoring New Life

The Widow’s Son (Luke 7:11-17, NAB)

[Jesus] journeyed to a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd accompanied him. As he drew near to the gate of the city, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was with her.

When the Lord saw her, he was moved with pity for her and said to her, “Do not weep.”

He stepped forward and touched the coffin; at this the bearers halted, and he said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!”

The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.

Fear seized them all, and they glorified God, exclaiming, “A great prophet has arisen in our midst!” and “God has visited his people!”

The Daughter of Jairus (Mark 5:22-24, 35-42, GNB)

Jairus, an official of the local synagogue, arrived, and when he saw Jesus, he threw himself down at his feet and begged him earnestly, “My little daughter is very sick. Please come and place your hands on her, so that she will get well and live!”

Then Jesus started off with him. Some messengers came from Jairus’ house and told him, “Your daughter has died. Why bother the Teacher any longer?”

Jesus paid no attention to what they said, but told him, “Don’t be afraid, only believe.”

Then he did not let anyone else go on with him except Peter and James and his brother John. They arrived at Jairus’ house, where Jesus saw the confusion and heard all the loud crying and wailing. He went in and said to them, “Why all this confusion? Why are you crying? This child is not dead--she is only sleeping!”

They started making fun of him, so, he put them out, took the child’s father and mother and his three disciples, and went into the room where the child was lying. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha, koum,” which means, “Little girl, I tell you to get up.”

She got up at once and started walking around. (She was twelve years old.) When this happened, they were completely amazed. But Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone, and he said, “Give her something to eat.