December 14, 2014, 11:20 AM
Today, Pastor Visal and Lindsey Sok along with family members present Talitha Mehsah Sok born on April 30, 2014 to be dedicated to the Lord.
Many of you have already heard from Pastor Visal and Lindsey that they have given their little girl a very special name. Talitha is from Mark 5:41, the name of Jarius’ 12-year old daughter. In the Aramaic, it means “Little girl” or in the endearing way that Jesus said it, it means “Sweetie pie,” “Honey,” or even “Baby girl.”
“Mehsah” in Cambodian means the month of April since Talitha was born in the month of April. “Sok” means “joy.” So putting it all together, “Talitha Mehsah Sok” means, “Our little April girl brings joy” to our lives. We all know from personal experiences that often our given names lead us to become that person who reflects those hopeful meanings. In the eyes of Talitha’s parents, she will always be their little girl. Her birthright will always be remembered in April. And in this Christmas season when we celebrate the coming of the Lord, there is “Joy” to the world.
The name, “Talitha” comes from Mark 5:21-43 where there’s a story within a story. It begins when Jesus had just crossed the sea again when one of the leaders from the synagogue, Jarius, found Jesus, fell on his knees, begging Jesus repeatedly to come to his house to lay his hands on his sick daughter to heal her.
But on the way, a large crowd followed him and a woman who was bleeding for twelve years, saw many physicians, spent all she had on medicine, but didn’t get better but rather was worse. She believed that if she could just touch Jesus’ clothes then she would be made well. When she did, she was immediately healed from her disease. Jesus turned around looking for that someone who touched his clothes because he felt the healing power going out from him. When the woman came forward to admit it was she, Jesus said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
After this unexpected diversion, Jarius was told that his daughter had died and not to bother with Jesus’ time. Jesus told Jarius, “Do not fear, only believe.” He went to the house and told all the people who were weeping, “The child is not dead but sleeping.” Jesus went inside with the Jarius and his wife and the few disciples and took the child’s hand and said, “Talitha, cum” which means, “Little girl, get up!” And she got up and lived.
This is a story within a story. How many times have we found ourselves with a task on our minds to do only to be distracted and interrupted with something else along the way? There are times when we are simply overwhelmed. But in this passage that includes a story within a story, of a woman who was bleeding for 12 years and a little girl who is near death at the age of 12, we have the promise that God has enough grace and time to care for both of these people. They may be older or younger; they may be born on any of the months in a 12-month calendar year, God is there for us, all the time. When we are unable to multi-task, God is.
Pastor Visal and Lindsey know that their Talitha is growing up healthy and strong as they provide nourishment, friends, and guidance to their “Little girl,” “Sweetie pie” in their families and at this church. But just like the Talitha in Mark 5, Talitha Mehsak Sok will truly be alive and strong in the Lord when she comes to that point in her life to believe that Jesus Christ is her Lord and Savior. She too will become spiritually alive like Jarius’ daughter Talitha who became alive in seeing Jesus face-to-face.
And during those days when you are too busy with all that life is about, remember that just as Jesus still found time to raise up Jarius’ Talitha, Jesus has time for your Talitha too.
Pastor Visal and Lindsay know that Talitha is a gift from God and they accept the responsibility to raise her to love God and to love others. Like her parents, Talitha Mehsah Sok would also bring “Joy” to the world.
Ritual
To the Parents:
In presenting Talitha to God, do you promise that through the grace given you and in partnership with this church, you will teach her the truths and responsibilities of the Christian faith, and seek to lead her into a living relationship with Jesus Christ?
Parents: We will.
To the Congregation:
Do you, the loving church family of this child and members and friends of this church, accept the responsibility, together with the parents, grandparents, godparents, aunts and uncles, to teach this child that she may be brought to full maturity in Jesus Christ? If so, will you signify your acceptance by saying, “We will.”
Congregation: We will.
Don holds Talitha, “God bless you and keep you. God’s face shine upon you and be gracious to you. God look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.”
Presentation of Certificates and Roses
This certificate will remind you of the commitments you made here today. This rose, a universal symbol of beauty and God’s wondrous creation represents your child made in the image of God himself.
Closing Prayer
Dear God, even as Mary and Joseph brought the child Jesus to your house that he might be consecrated to your service, so these parents have brought this little one to this house of worship, that among your people they might present her to you. Give to these parents your special graces of insight and love that under their guidance, Talitha Mehsah Sok may grow in wisdom and stature and in favor with you and all people. Grant that we your people may truly be a household of faith to this child, providing her with food for the spirit to nourish her through the years of growth and maturity. With gratitude for this child we dedicate her, her parents, and ourselves, to the end that her life may be a blessing to you and a service to humanity. Amen.