Narrator

At Easter we celebrate Jesus resurrection from the dead. People find it hard to believe that anyone can come back from the dead. But a little girl from Galilee believed because she experienced Jesus' resurrection power in her own life.

(Music up)
(SFX - Large exterior crowd murmur. Outdoor ambience.)

Crowd

(Walla): I think he's a prophet. I heard John the Baptist say he was the Lamb of God. I don't know what to believe. This rabbi is certainly a great teacher. No one would doubt that. He sure knows how to draw a crowd.

Servant

(talking to himself) It looks like everyone in Galilee came to see Jesus. How will I ever find my master Jairus?

Crowd

(Exterior commotion)

Servant

There he is. Oh, That must be Jesus. I wonder why he is talking to that woman. (Talking forcefully to crowd) Make way, I am a servant of Jairus. Move aside! Move aside. Look out, I have important news for Jairus.

Crowd

Walla, of reaction to servant moving through the crowd.

Jesus

Woman, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.

Servant

My master, I have just come from the bedside of your daughter.

Jairus

(nervous) What is her condition?

Servant

(quietly) Master, we don't need to bother the teacher any more.

Jairus

Why? Why don't we need Jesus any more?

Servant

Sir, your daughter is dead. I will take you home now. The mourners are already gathering.

Jairus

(Beginning to weep) Jesus, I was too late, if only you would have come sooner….

Servant

Please master, Let's go now.

Jesus

Jairus, don't be afraid, just believe.

Jairus

(with emotion) Jesus, I do believe. But (big sigh and then talking to the servant) Make preparations for the Teacher. We are coming home.

(Music transition)

Crowd

(Group outside mourning)

Jesus

Why all the noise? This crying needs to stop. The girl is not dead, just asleep.

Crowd

(sarcastic laugher with Walla reaction): "Doesn't he know she's dead". Some teacher. "Has he no respect for our ruler's grief". I've heard this Man stirs up trouble every where He goes. I can't believe our Synagogue leader would bring this rabbi to his home.

Mother

Jairus, our child is dead, not asleep. What does this mean?

Jairus

Teacher, what should we do?

Jesus

Let's go to the child. Alone. Tell everyone to leave the house.

Jairus

(raising His voice) Please we need you all to go outside. Please, give us some time alone with our daughter.

Crowd

(Walla as crowd walks out): This is strange. This isn't our custom. We'll be right outside waiting for you.

Jairus

This way Jesus.

(SFX - Footsteps entering room)

Mother

Here she is. We did all we could for her. (sobs)

Jairus

(aside to his wife) Look the master has taken her hand. I believe he can do a miracle. Maybe he will bring her back to us.

Mother

Jairus, No one can raise the dead!

Jesus

(whisper) Talitha koum.

Mother

Talitha koum? What is he saying? Little girl, get up? But she can't. (sobbing) Jairus, What kind of teacher is this?

Girl

(big breath) (sleepy surprise) Who are you?

Mother

Jairus, I must be seeing things?

Jairus

No. Our little girl lives. She lives!

Girl

Mother? Father? Why am I in bed when the sun is shining?

(SFX - Girl gets out of bed walks to window)

Mother

(overjoyed) Did you hear that? Yes, the sun is shining. Jesus, thank you. Thank you.

Girl

Mother, why are all those people here? And they're crying. Daddy, did someone die?

Jairus

We thought someone died, but … Oh, Jesus, thank you. Thank you!

Mother

What should we do now?

Jesus

Someone should get this little girl something to eat!

Girl

Yes. I'm hungry!

Peter

Jesus, we need to tell the crowd about this miracle. That will teach them to laugh at you. We'll tell them all about your power.

Jesus

(firm) No. No bragging about this. Not now. I don't want any of you to speak about these things.

(Music transition)

Narrator

Later that night Jesus and his disciples talked about the miraculous things they had seen Jesus do.

(SFX - Outside at night, wood fire)

John

James looked like quite a fisherman carrying that basket full of fish.

(SFX - Group of men laugh.)

Peter

To think, five loaves and two fish would feed such a large crowd.

John

Who would have believed any of the miracles we've seen.

Peter

Hundreds healed. Thousands feed.

John

Even the dead raised to life.

Peter

And the crowds still don't know who Jesus is.

Jesus

Peter, who do the crowds think I am?

Peter

Some think you are the prophet Elijah, others say you are John the Baptist brought back to life.

Jesus

But what do you say Peter. Who do you say I am?

(Music fades up and in)

Peter

You are the Christ… The Son of God.

Jesus

Listen to me. You must not tell this to anyone.

John

Yes Jesus.

Peter

I'll keep quiet, but why? Why not tell everyone?

Jesus

I have some news for you. We are going to go up to Jerusalem soon. When we get there the Son of Man will suffer many things at the hands of the religious leaders. They will kill me. But on the third day I will be raised to life.

(Music - up and out)