Have You Heard the Story of My Life?

Something unusual happened to me, which I think was a true miracle and great mercy. I still remember a few things of what happened, but my father told me all of what took place.

I am a girl, and I’m twelve years old. My father, Jairus, and my mother loved me very much, for I was their only child. They took good care of me and were careful to protect me from harm.

Our home was in Capernaum by the Sea of Galilee, and my childhood was peaceful and happy. I looked to the future with joy and much expectation of happiness.

One day, I suddenly became very ill. I grew tired and had no more desire to play with the other children. Even the delicious food my mother prepared did not taste good to me anymore.

My illness became more severe, and I could not even get up from my bed. My parents were afraid for me and called for the physician, but he could not cure me even with his medicines.

I lay in bed, pale, weak, and unable to find the strength to speak. I overheard the doctor say to my father: Your daughter will die soon. There is no way to help her.

Hopelessness overcame my parents, and they wondered what they could do for me. In their distress, they saw only one solution: to seek Jesus, the Great Physician and Healer.

When my father learned that Jesus had come into our town, he hurried to the door and ran out onto the street. He kept on running until he came to the lake. There, he noticed a large crowd and saw Jesus in the midst of the people.

My father made his way through the multitude. Some of those who were gathered whispered to each other, saying, Look, Jairus, the head of the synagogue, is also going to Jesus. In their amazement, they got out of his way and cleared a path that led to Jesus.

In his great distress, my father did not care about who was present or what the others would say about him. Deep in his heart, he knew that no one could help me except Jesus alone.

My father fell to his knees in front of Jesus and cried out: O Lord, please come with me right away. My daughter is very ill and might die any minute. Only You can heal her. If You place Your hand on her hand, she will be healed and live.

He looked anxiously at Jesus who did not hesitate to go with him immediately. But they could only move slowly, owing to the multitude gathered around them. It took them a long time to reach our house.

As they were making their way through the crowd, a woman approached Jesus from behind. She wanted to be healed of her illness. Touching the edge of His cloak, she was healed immediately through the power that came from Him. Jesus stopped and asked who it was that had touched Him, for He felt that power had gone out from Him.

When the woman saw that her action did not go unnoticed, she approached Jesus and dropped to her knees, trembling. She confessed in front of Jesus that she was the one who had touched Him and that she had been healed immediately. Jesus comforted her and said: Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.

The incident between Jesus and the woman took time, and my father grew impatient. He said to himself: Why doesn’t Jesus hurry? We might arrive back too late, and my daughter will then be dead.

In fact, they really were too late. My mother sent a servant after my father, to tell him a sad report: Your daughter has died. In spite of all our help, we could not save her. Do not bother Jesus, for He cannot help her anymore now. My father was very sad when he heard this message, and he lost all hope.

He thought Jesus would be a last chance, but Jesus was too late. Unfortunately, my father failed to realise that it is never too late with Jesus.

Jesus knew what was going on in my father’s mind. So He said to him: Do not fear. Just believe, and your daughter will be healed.

My father was comforted by these words and found new hope, because he believed the Lord. He did not know exactly what would happen but understood that Jesus could do more than he could possibly imagine.

Not long after, my father arrived at home with Jesus. Many of the townsfolk tried to enter and see what was going to happen. But Jesus did not allow anyone in – not even His disciples, except for Peter, James, and John.

Inside the house, there was a big gathering and a lot of noise. Neighbours, relatives, and friends visited my parents when they learned about my death. They cried, wailed, and tore their clothing in distress. Jesus stood in their midst and said: Enough of this. The girl is not dead. She is only sleeping..

Suddenly, all crying and commotion stopped. Everyone began to laugh mockingly, because they were convinced that I really was dead and not only sleeping.

Jesus asked everyone to leave. No one remained inside except those who believed that He could perform a miraculous deed.

Jesus entered the room in which I was lying. Only my father, mother, Peter, James, and John were allowed to enter with Him.

My mother told me later that I lay on my bed with my eyes shut, looking as if I were sleeping. But I did not breathe, and my heart did not beat; I was dead.

Jesus then came up to me and held my hand. With authority, He said,My child, get up!

I heard His call and opened my eyes, but I did not know what had happened to me. I looked around and saw Jesus standing in front of me, with my parents at His side. Their eyes were directed at me and filled with anxiety.

I sat up in my bed, feeling fine. I rose and went to my mother who took me quickly in her arms, overjoyed. My father also embraced me. But Jesus told my parents to give me something to eat first.

Before Jesus left our house with His disciples, He ordered my parents not to tell anyone what had happened.

But it was hard to keep it secret that Jesus had raised me from the dead.

Hardly had Jesus and His disciples left our house when all the neighbours, relatives, and friends swarmed inside to see and hear for themselves exactly what had happened to me. Their amazement and joy were great when they saw me walking, healthy and happy. They were awed at my regained appetite for food.

We all understood that no one is as powerful as Jesus. He not only heals all diseases, but He is also Lord over life and death. All who had seen this miracle did not keep it to themselves. So the news about the wonderful deeds of God spread far and wide throughout the land.

In my heart, I had deep thanks and love for Jesus. He returned my life to me. I will never forget Him, and my joy will never cease. My parents and I were happy to experience that Jesus is always ready to receive us, no matter what the situation might be. If no one can help us, He always can. He is Lord over all situations, whether in your life or mine.

Go to Jesus in times of sorrow, and you will experience for yourself that He can help you as He helped me. More than this, He can give you a new life. Jesus said, Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

After this miracle, Jesus also resurrected a young man from his coffin. Later, He even called a man out of the grave after he had been dead for four days and his body had started to decompose.

Through the wonderful miracles of Jesus, we experienced that death is not the end of things, for Jesus can conquer it by His power.

The Gospel tells us that we all live in sin and are dead spiritually and that we cannot have fellowship with God. Only Jesus can save us from this eternal death and give us a new heart and spirit. But we must come to Him and confess our sins. You can also experience for yourself that Jesus can save you from sin and spiritual death. He wants to give you the new life which comes from God.

Can you solve the following puzzle? If you want to find the answer, you have to start from where the arrow is pointing and follow the line. Write down the letters that correspond to the dots, as you encounter each one along the line.

The letters will spell out a Bible verse which summarises this story.