The Explanation

It was quiet in the church. Everyone sat still.

There was a man there. His hand was sick. It was small, and stiff. He could not use it.

Jesus saw him.

Some people watched Jesus. They did not want him to help the man. Not today, they said. Today is a resting day.

Jesus looked at the man. He said, "Stand up."

The man stood up. Right in the middle.

Jesus looked around at everyone. He was sad. Very sad. Nobody wanted to say if helping was good.

Then Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand."

The man stretched it out.

And look, his hand was well! Strong, and good, just like the other one.

What Does This Mean?

Some people did not clap. They were angry. Angry that Jesus made someone better.

They went away, and started making a plan. A plan against Jesus.

But Jesus kept going. So many people came to him. So many sick people. They pressed close, just to touch him.

Jesus went up a mountain. He called some men to come with him. Twelve men. Simon, who he called Peter. James and John, the loud brothers. Andrew, Philip, and more. Judas was there too.

They would walk with Jesus. Everywhere he went.

The Common Thread

One time Jesus went inside a house. So many people came, he could not even eat.

Some people said mean things. "He has a bad spirit in him," they said.

But Jesus told a little story. "Can a house fight itself, and still stand?" No. A house needs to stay together.

Jesus was not bad. Jesus was strong, and good, and he was winning.

For You

His mother came to see him one day. And his brothers too.

Someone said, "Your mother is outside, looking for you."

Jesus looked around at all the people sitting close to him. He said, "Look, here is my family. Whoever listens to God, and loves God, is like my brother. Like my sister. Like my mother."

You can be close to Jesus too. Very close. Just like family.

Talk About It

What do you think the man felt, when his hand became well?

Jesus said the people around him were like his family. Would you like to be close to Jesus too?

Praying Together

Dear Jesus,

Thank you for making the sick man well.

Thank you that I can be close to you too.

I want to stay near you, always.

Amen.