DREAMLAND PUBLICATIONS

J-128, KIRTI NAGAR, NEW DELHI-110 015, INDIA

PHONE : +91-11-2510 6050, 2543 5657
E-mail : dreamland@vsnl.com
Shop online at www.dreamlandpublications.com
Like us on www.facebook.com/DreamlandPublications
 Published in 2018 by
DREAMLAND PUBLICATIONS
J-128, Kirti Nagar, New Delhi - 110 015, India
Tel : +91-11-2510 6050, 2543 5657
E-mail : dreamland@vsnl.com, www.dreamlandpublications.com
Copyright © 2018 Dreamland Publications
All rights reserved. No part of this publication should be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or
transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or
otherwise—without the prior permission of Dreamland Publications.

Contents
1. HOW GOD CREATED THE WORLD
2. THE GARDEN OF EDEN
3. ADAM AND EVE
4. CAIN AND ABEL
5. NOAH’S ARK
6. GOD’S PROMISE TO NOAH – THE RAINBOW
7. NOAH’S SONS AND GRANDCHILDREN
8. THE TOWER OF BABEL
9. ABRAM’S BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD
10. THE CHOSEN ONE: ABRAHAM, AND TEST OF FAITH
11. HOW LOT WAS RESCUED
12. ABRAHAM’S SON, ISAAC, AND REBEKAH
13. REBEKAH’S AND ISAAC’S TWIN SONS
14. JACOB’S LADDER AND GRAPPLING WITH THE ANGEL
15. JACOB’S REUNION WITH ESAU
16. JACOB’S FAVOURITE SON, JOSEPH
17. JOSEPH AND THE PHARAOH
18. WHEN JOSEPH MET HIS BROTHERS AND FATHER
19. THE BIRTH OF MOSES, THE GREATEST PROPHET
20. GOD CALLS MOSES
21. GOD’S MESSAGE TO THE PHARAOH
22. THE LAST PLAGUE AND THE PASSOVER
23. HOW MOSES LED HIS PEOPLE ACROSS THE RED SEA
24. WHEN GOD RAINED MANNA
25. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
26. THE GOLDEN CALF
27. THE PROMISED LAND
28. HOW GOD HELPED GIDEON TO TAME THE MIDIANITES
29. NAOMI AND RUTH
30. THE PROPHET SAMUEL
31. A KING FOR THE ISRAELITES
32. DAVID AND GOLIATH
33. DAVID: A THREAT TO SAUL
34. DAVID AND HIS SON, ABSALOM
35. THE WISE KING SOLOMON
36. THE JUSTICE OF SOLOMON
37. SOLOMON AND THE QUEEN OF SHEBA
38. THE PROPHET ELIJAH
39. THE DROUGHT IN ISRAEL AND FIRE IN GOD’S ALTAR
40. GOD’S COMMAND TO ELIJAH
41. THE CHARIOT OF FIRE
42. MIRACLES OF THE PROPHET ELISHA
43. THE BLINDED SYRIAN SOLDIERS
44. JONAH AND THE WHALE
45. JEREMIAH AND THE BROKEN POT
46. DANIEL, THE INTERPRETER OF DREAMS
47. THE WRITING ON THE WALL
48. DANIEL IN THE LION’S DEN
49. EZEKIEL
50. HOW ESTHER SAVED THE JEWS
51. THE PROMISE OF A CHILD
52. THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
53. JOHN THE BAPTIST
54. THE BIRTH OF THE SAVIOUR
55. THE SHEPHERDS AND THE THREE WISE MEN
56. JESUS PRESENTED IN THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM
57. ESCAPE TO EGYPT AND RETURN TO NAZARETH
58. JESUS IN HIS FATHER’S HOUSE
59. THE SPECIAL LIFE-WORK OF JESUS
60. HOW SATAN TRIED TO TEMPT JESUS
61. THE TWELVE DISCIPLES OF JESUS
62. WHEN WATER BECAME WINE
63. JESUS THE HEALER
64. JESUS AND THE FOUR FRIENDS
65. WHEN JESUS CALMED THE STORM
66. BRINGING THE DEAD BACK TO LIFE
67. TWO FISH AND FIVE BREAD ROLLS TO FEED A CROWD
68. TREADING ON WATER
69. THE CENTURION’S SLAVE
70. MAKING THE DEAF HEAR AND THE DUMB SPEAK
71. BRINGING A WIDOW’S SON BACK TO LIFE
72. JESUS IN A PHARISEE’S HOME
73. HE WATCHED FROM A TREE
74. THE BLIND BEGGAR WHO GOT HIS EYESIGHT BACK
75. THE LOST SHEEP
76. THE LOST SON RETURNS
77. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WAGES
78. THE MAN WHO REFUSED TO FORGIVE
79. THE RICH MAN AND THE BEGGAR
80. THE GOOD SAMARITAN
81. THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
82. THE LORD’S PRAYER
83. JESUS BLESSES CHILDREN
84. THE GOOD SHEPHERD
85. THE LIFE-GIVING WATER
86. HEALING ON THE SABBATH
 87. THE GLORY OF JESUS
88. LAZARUS BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE
89. JESUS: THE LAST PASSOVER IN JERUSALEM
90. THE PLAN TO KILL JESUS
91. THE BETRAYAL AND THE LAST SUPPER
92. PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
93. JESUS ARRESTED IN THE GARDEN
94. THE JEWISH COUNCIL AND THE ROMAN GOVERNOR
95. WHEN PETER DENIED KNOWING JESUS THRICE
96. THE CROWN OF THORNS AND THE CRUCIFIXION
97. THE BURIAL
98. THE RESURRECTION
99. JESUS SEEN AGAIN
100. THE ASCENSION
101. THE HOLY SPIRIT COMETH
 THE BIBLE – THE OLD TESTAMENT

1. HOW GOD CREATED THE WORLD

In the beginning, the earth was formless and there was darkness all around.
On the first day, God created light and darkness, or day and night. On the
second day, He created the sky and the sea, separating them from each
other. On the third day, He created land and vegetation. On the fourth day,
God created the Sun, Moon and stars. On the fifth day, God filled the seas
with fishes and water creatures, and the sky with birds. On the sixth day,
came land-living animals. God also created a man, Adam, from mud in His
own image, and breathed life into him. On the seventh day, the Sabbath,
God rested.

2. THE GARDEN OF EDEN

God gave to Adam the Garden of Eden as his home. It was a heavenly
place, the most beautiful place. This paradise was full of trees, greenery,
flowers, birds, butterflies, big and small animals, various crops and
delicious fruits. Here, Adam lived in peace with the animals and his
feathered friends. God let Adam give them their names.
There were two trees in this Garden, the Tree of Knowledge and the Tree of
Life. These were special trees. God commanded Adam, and later Eve, to
never eat the fruit from the Tree of Knowledge, as it gave knowledge of all
that is good and evil. Adam accepted His Master’s command.

3. ADAM AND EVE

One day, God put Adam into a deep sleep, and cut a rib out of him, which
he fashioned into a woman, to be his helper. Adam named her Eve. God
wanted Adam and Eve to know, treasure, and show God’s glory. Adam and
Eve lived happily together in the Garden of Eden, played with their animal
friends, and ate whatever they liked.
Satan, the Devil, was very jealous of God. One day, taking the form of a
serpent, he enticed Eve to eat fruit from the Tree of Knowledge. She
refused at first, but later gave in to temptation. She also gave the fruit to
Adam. As soon as they ate the fruit, they understood what was good and
evil. They felt ashamed of their wicked thoughts, and covered themselves
with fig leaves. They realised that they had sinned, and tried to hide from
God. But He found out at once that they had eaten the Forbidden Fruit.
God loved Adam and Eve as His children, but punished them. Giving them
tunics of skin to wear, he banished them from their paradise. He cursed the
serpent and Eve. Adam and Eve left Eden in deep sorrow and remorse.

4. CAIN AND ABEL

Two sons were soon born to Adam and Eve, Cain and Abel. On growing up,
Cain became a farmer, while Abel was a shepherd. Once, both the brothers
made offerings to the Lord. Cain took the first fruits from his soil, while
Abel took the healthiest lamb. God was more pleased with Abel’s offering
and blessed him. This made Cain very jealous, who tricked his brother into
going out with him alone, and killed him!
When God asked where Abel was, Cain lied, but God knew. He punished
Cain by making him a wanderer. In time, Cain got married and had many
children. Adam and Eve got another son, Seth, as well as other sons and
daughters, who bore many children of their own. They all believed in God.
Adam and Eve lived for hundreds of years, as did all their descendants,
except for Cain’s descendants.

5. NOAH’S ARK
As time went by, people became more evil and violent. This made God so
unhappy that He decided to wipe out His entire creation. He spared one
man, Noah, an eighth generation grandson of Adam and Eve. He instructed
Noah to build a huge ark and live in it with his wife, three sons and their
wives, as well as one male and female animal and bird of various species.
He told Noah that He would send continuous rain for forty days and nights,
and everything on earth would be devastated.
Noah gave God’s message to people, telling them to mend their ways or
face destruction. It took many years to build the ark. When Noah’s family
and other creatures were in the ark, the deluge began, slowly destroying the
earth, including high mountains. Only Noah’s ark floated safely, to finally
rest on Mt Ararat. When Noah sent a dove for the second time to see if the
land was dry, it returned with a fresh olive leaf. God commanded Noah to
leave the ark.

6. GOD’S PROMISE TO NOAH – THE RAINBOW

After stepping on dry land, Noah and his family made burnt offerings to the
Lord.
God blessed them, and told them that all birds, land animals, and fishes
would be afraid of them. Green plants would be their food, and He
permitted them to eat each moving thing, except that blood was not to be
eaten. They were warned not to shed man’s blood: ‘Whoso sheddeth man’s
blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He
man.’
God promised Noah that He would never again destroy the earth or life on
it. And He filled the sky with a spectacular rainbow as a reminder to
Himself and to mankind, for all times to come.

7. NOAH’S SONS AND GRANDCHILDREN

Noah and his sons, Shem, Ham, and Japheth, began farming and planted
vines. Noah’s sons bore many children, followed by many generations of
descendants. Ham had been disrespectful to his father, while Japheth and
Shem had shown great respect. Due to this, Noah cursed Ham’s son,
Canaan, making him serve his father’s brothers.
Noah’s sons founded the population of the three known continents of that
time. Japheth was the founder of the entire Indo-European nations. Shem
founded Asia, and Ham founded Africa. The godly line was preserved
through Shem’s descendants. Japheth was blessed for being Shem’s brother.
Shem had daughters and five sons. Terah, who had descended from Shem’s
son, Arphaxad, had three sons: Abram, Nahor and Haran. Haran’s wife gave
birth to Lot, Milcah and Iscah. Nahor married Milcah, while Abram married
Sarai. Terah left with Abram, Sarai, and his grandson Lot for Canaan, but
settled in Chharan.
8. THE TOWER OF BABEL
God had commanded Noah and his sons: ‘Be fruitful, and multiply, and
replenish the earth.’ With time, the earth’s population kept increasing, and
everyone spoke the same language. Cush, another son of Ham, in turn, had
a son, Nimrod, who rebelled against God and sought to establish his control
on the earth. He convinced people that they would be happy with him.
People now began building a tower that would reach the skies!
God was unhappy to find that people had become disobedient, wicked, and
arrogant. Fearing that they would become like those before the flood, He
decided to confuse them, by making them spread to other parts of the world.
No longer did they understand each other, for they spoke different
languages, and seemed to babble. And, the tower remained unfinished.

9. ABRAM’S BIRTH AND CHILDHOOD

Nimrod, a mighty hunter, became the first king of Babylon in Shinar, or
Mesopotamia. Terah and Nimrod worshipped idols and the sun. Nimrod
gave Terah control over his armies. Once, stargazers warned Nimrod that a
soon-to-be-born child, would take over his throne; so he killed all
newborns. During that time, Abram was born to Terah. An angry Nimrod
called for Terah’s son. A slave’s baby was born the same night, so Terah
took that baby with him. Nimrod killed it.
Meanwhile, Terah sent his wife with Abram, and a nurse, to a cave. Abram
first came out of the cave when he was 3 years old and saw the sun and,
later the moon. He understood that a great power had created the sun,
moon, and everything else. Abram only believed in God. At the age of 10,
he went to live with Noah and Shem for many years, and learnt of the ways
of God.

10. THE CHOSEN ONE: ABRAHAM, AND TEST OF FAITH

God sent Abram to Canaan, or Israel, to start a great new nation. He took
with him Sarai, Lot, their flocks, slaves and riches. At Shechem, God
appeared before Abram. He changed Abram’s name to Abraham, meaning
‘father of many nations’, and Sarai’s name to Sarah. Years later, Abraham
and Sarah had a son, Isaac. God wanted to test Abraham’s faith, and told
him to offer Isaac, his only son, as a sacrifice to Him. Abraham agreed.
They went to Mt Moriah. Isaac carried the firewood, while Abraham carried
a brazier with some fire and a knife.
At the summit, he made an altar, placed the firewood, tied his son and made
him lie on it. Just as he was about to plunge his knife into Isaac, God
stopped him and blessed his future generations! Catching sight of a ram
caught by its horns in the undergrowth, Abraham then offered it as a
sacrifice to God.

11. HOW LOT WAS RESCUED

Abraham and Lot had parted ways as there was not enough food for their
flocks. Abraham and Sarah, who were very old, once received three
visitors. They were promised a son by the leader. Abraham later realised
that it was God, who stayed back, and sent the other two, his angels, to
Sodom and Gomorrah. He told Abraham that He planned to destroy those
cities as they were completely evil. Abraham pleaded that Lot be spared.
God led Lot to the angels, who insisted they spend the night at his place,
and served them a meal. The angels told Lot of God’s plan and to leave at
once. At dawn, they led Lot, his wife, and two daughters by their hand,
telling them not to look back. While Lot and his daughters ran towards the
safety of Zoar, a little town, his wife turned to look at Sodom, where
burning sulphur was raining down. At once, she was turned into a pillar of
salt.

12. ABRAHAM’S SON, ISAAC, AND REBEKAH

Abraham wanted Isaac to get married, and sent a trusted servant to their
homeland, to bring back a bride for Isaac. He was sure that God would help,
as He had sent him to the new land, and promised to give it to his
descendants.
Reaching a well on the outskirts of Abraham’s hometown, the servant
decided to ask the women for some water to drink.
Abraham’s nephew, Bethuel had a daughter, Rebekah. She came just then to
fill up her water pot. When the servant asked her for water, she poured it out
for him, and told him to bring his camels also!
Certain that God had led him to the right bride, he met her family, and told
them of God’s plan. They accepted the proposal, and Rebekah set forth with
the servant for Isaac’s home.

13. REBEKAH’S AND ISAAC’S TWIN SONS

Isaac and Rebekah had twin sons, Esau, who was very hairy, and Jacob. The
old Isaac wanted to give a final blessing to Esau. He told Esau to hunt and
cook an animal especially for him, and take his blessing. Rebekah loved
Jacob more. Hearing of Isaasc’s plan, she made Jacob go and kill a goat,
and prepared a meal for Isaac.
After touching Jacob, who had worn clothes of goatskin, Isaac thought it
was Esau, and blessed him with plenty of grain and wine, and rule over his
people. When Esau offered him food and asked for his blessing, both
realised that Jacob had deceived them. Isaac couldn’t take back the
blessing. When the weeping Esau begged his father, Isaac said that though
he would serve his brother, but he would gain his freedom on fighting back.

14. JACOB’S LADDER AND GRAPPLING WITH THE

ANGEL
Angry at being cheated, Esau wanted to kill Jacob. Rebekah sent Jacob to
her brother, Laban, in Mesopotamia. On the way, Jacob rested his head on a
stone and went to sleep at sunset. He dreamt of a ladder from the earth to
heaven, with angels going up and down. God appeared to him, and
promised to give that land to him and his children. On waking up, Jacob felt
that he had seen the gate to heaven. He named it ‘Bethel’, or God’s House.
Jacob married Leah and Rachel, Laban’s daughters, fathered many children,
and became very rich. He wanted to return home, and planned to make a
large offering of flock to Esau, to appease him. He had another strange
dream, in which an angel grappled with him. Finally, he hit Jacob’s hip.
Jacob asked for a blessing. That was God’s way of making him realise that
he could not achieve success by himself alone! But, Jacob thought: ‘I have
striven with God and won’, and he named the place, Peniel, or ‘face of
God.’

15. JACOB’S REUNION WITH ESAU

Jacob returned to his homeland with his wives and children, servants, and a
huge flock of cattle. Esau went to meet his brother. Jacob bowed to the
ground seven times as he neared Esau, but Esau ran up to him and hugged
him, and both wept. His entire family and servants bowed down before
Esau.
When Jacob insisted that Esau accept the flocks and herds he had sent, Esau
accepted his gift.
As Jacob had to move slowly because of his children and animals, he told
Esau that they would meet at Seir.
So, Esau went on ahead, but Jacob went on to Shechem in Canaan.

16. JACOB’S FAVOURITE SON, JOSEPH

Joseph, the youngest son, was Jacob’s favourite. His father gifted him a
special robe, which filled his half-brothers with jealousy. Once he told them
of a strange dream, in which they had gathered bundles of grain, but his
brother’s bundles bowed to his bundle! Another time, he had seen the sun,
moon, and eleven stars bowing to him! This made his brothers hate him
more.
One day, Jacob sent him to look for his brothers and flocks. When he
reached them, his brothers tore off his robe and threw him into a dry well.
Just then, some Ishmaelite merchants going to Egypt came by, so they sold
Jacob to them. Soaking Jacob’s robe in the blood of a goat, they took it to
their father. Joseph thought a wild animal had killed his son, and mourned
deeply for him.

17. JOSEPH AND THE PHARAOH

The traders sold Joseph to Potiphar, who put Joseph in-charge of his
household. Joseph was wrongly accused of a crime and imprisoned. In
prison, God helped Joseph, and he became in charge of all the prisoners.
After some years, the Egyptian king or pharaoh, had strange dreams.
Hearing of Joseph’s power to interpret dreams, he called him. He told
Joseph that he had seen seven fat cows coming out of the river and eating
grass, followed by seven thin cows who ate them up! Another time, he had
seen seven ripe heads of grain growing on one stalk, but seven dry heads of
grain came and ate them up!
Joseph said this meant that Egypt would have seven years of rich harvest,
followed by seven years of famine. He told the pharaoh to store food to
prevent starvation during the famine.

18. WHEN JOSEPH MET HIS BROTHERS AND FATHER

When the famine spread to Canaan. Jacob sent his sons to Egypt to buy
food. Joseph’s half-brothers did not recognise him. He accused them of
spying. They claimed to be honest and said their youngest brother,
Benjamin, was at home. Joseph told them to bring the boy when they came
next. His brothers did so, and Joseph secretly wept tears of joy. He had a
silver cup hidden in Benjamin’s sack. While leaving, they were charged
with theft. The cup was found! Joseph said that Benjamin would be his
slave now. But, Judah, another brother, pleaded for Benjamin’s release,
saying that they had already lost one brother, and their father’s heart would
break if Benjamin was taken away from him.
Then, Joseph revealed his identity! Hugging his brothers, he told them that
God had sent him to Egypt so that he could save them from starvation.
Jacob was happy to know that Joseph was alive. The entire family soon
came to Egypt. Having sensed God’s spirit in Joseph, and the pharaoh gave
the best land in Egypt to Joseph’s family.

19. THE BIRTH OF MOSES, THE GREATEST PROPHET

Jacob’s and Joseph’s descendants, called Hebrews or Israelites, had grown
large in number. A new, very cruel pharaoh turned them into slaves. Later,
he ordered all newborn Hebrew boys should be killed. But a Hebrew
woman, Jochebed, gave birth to a boy and hid him. After three months, she
put her baby in a basket of reeds, and left it at the river’s edge. When the
princess came there to bathe, she saw the basket. Peering inside, she took
pity on the weeping infant, and recognised him to be a Hebrew baby.
The baby’s sister, who had been hiding, approached the princess and offered
a Hebrew woman to nurse the baby. The princess agreed. The real mother
was given the task of nursing the infant, and was paid to look after him.
When he was older, the princess adopted him, naming him ‘Moses’, or
‘drawn out’.

20. GOD CALLS MOSES

One day, as Moses was tending his flock in Sinai, he saw a blazing bush
that had not been consumed by the flames! God called out to Him, telling
him to remove his sandals as he was standing on holy ground. He also said
that He was the Lord God of his ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Moses covered his face for he was afraid to look at God.
The Israelites were suffering greatly. God now told Moses to speak to the
pharaoh and lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Moses feared that nobody
would believe him, and also said that he stammered. God told him to take
along his brother, Aaron, and He would help them to say the right thing.
21. GOD’S MESSAGE TO THE PHARAOH
Moses went with Aaron to tell his people of God’s plan. Then, they met the
pharaoh, and told him to let all the Israelites go, so that they could hold a
festival in the desert in God’s honour. The angry pharaoh made the
Israelites work harder, and tortured them. Moses appealed to God, who sent
him back to the pharaoh, who remained adamant.
Moses warned him that 10 plagues would befall his country. Amongst them,
the waters of the Nile turned into blood; frogs leaped everywhere; gnats ate
all the crops; locusts covered the land; and, the sky was dark for three days.
During each plague, the Israelites stayed unharmed. The pharaoh would tell
Moses to ask God to stop the plague, saying that he would release the
Israelites. But each time the plague stopped, the pharaoh went back on his
word.

22. THE LAST PLAGUE AND THE PASSOVER

The tenth and last plague was the most painful. To punish the pharaoh, God
said that the eldest son of each Egyptian family would die.
Moses gave God’s message to his people to spread the blood of a lamb on
their doorposts, so that the messenger of Death could identify them and not
take away their firstborn. This was the Passover.
When the king’s eldest son also died that night, the grieved king finally
accepted God was greater than him, and set the Israelites free. Till this day,
Jews celebrate the Passover each year.

23. HOW MOSES LED HIS PEOPLE ACROSS THE RED

SEA
The Egyptians were greatly agonised after the Passover. The pharaoh
ordered Moses and Aaron to leave at once with their people, and they left.
The pharaoh changed his mind and wanted to get back his slaves. He sent
hundreds of his best soldiers on horses and chariots after them. The
Israelites had reached the Red Sea, and were terrified! God told Moses to
lift his staff and hold it over the sea. And the Red Sea parted into two walls
of water, leaving a dry path in the middle! ‘Praise be to the Lord!’ shouted
the Israelites in awe, and hastened forwards. The amazed Egyptian soldiers
rushed after them. By then, the Israelites had safely crossed over. The sea
waters now closed in over the soldiers, drowning all of them.

24. WHEN GOD RAINED MANNA

On reaching dry land the Israelites were hungry. They grumbled that though
they never lacked food in Egypt, they were now starving. Moses prayed to
God, who said that He would rain food from heaven, for people to collect
once a day, when it was fresh. That evening, quails came and covered the
entire land, and people ate their flesh. The next morning, manna fell to the
ground. Moses told his people to collect the manna sent by God.
At Rephidim, when people were thirsty, Moses struck a rock with his staff,
as told by God. The rock released water. The second time when they wanted
water, God instructed Moses to order a rock to yield water. Instead, Moses
struck it twice! Water gushed out. But God told Moses that he and Aaron
would not enter the Promised Land.

25. THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

As commanded by God, Moses led his people to the base of Mt Sinai. A
thick smoke cloud covered the mountain as God descended amidst fire!
Thunder was heard, and the mountain shook! God called Moses to the
summit, where He gave him the Ten Commandments or Laws, written on
stone tablets by Himself, to be followed by the Israelites. In return, he
promised them a special land and safety from their enemies. These were:
‘Worship no other Gods but me;
Do not make any idols;
Do not misuse my name;
Keep the Sabbath day holy;
Respect your father and mother;
Do not murder;
Do not commit adultery;
Do not steal;
Do not tell lies;
Do not desire anyone’s things.’
26. THE GOLDEN CALF
Moses was at the summit for 40 days and 40 nights. The impatient Israelites
told Aaron to create a God to guide them. Aaron told them to bring all their
gold earrings, which he melted, making a gold calf with it. He also made an
altar. The people made sacrifices and offerings, and celebrated with a feast.
This annoyed God greatly, who told Moses that He would destroy all the
Israelites and make a new nation with his children only. Moses reminded
God of His faithful servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and His promise of
many descendants and a special land.
When Moses descended the mountain, he saw the people were merry-
making. Enraged, he hurled the stone tablets to the ground, shattering them
to bits. He destroyed the calf by melting it in the fire.
God summoned Moses again, and another set of the Ten Commandments
was prepared.
27. THE PROMISED LAND
After wandering for 40 years, Moses was within sight of the Promised Land
on Mt Nebo. God had told Moses that after him, Joshua would lead the
Israelites to their new land. Shortly after, Moses died, deeply mourned by
his people. God commanded Joshua to cross the Jordan River to the land he
was giving to the Israelites. Joshua was unsure, but God told him to strictly
obey His commandments, and promised to always support him.
The Israelites passed a city, Jericho. Its king and frightened people shut its
gates. But, following God’s instructions, the Israelites captured Jericho.
Later, led by Joshua, they won many other victories.
As Joshua was about to die, he made his people promise to obey and
worship only the God of Israel.

28. HOW GOD HELPED GIDEON TO TAME THE

MIDIANITES
After Joshua died, the Israelites began worshipping other gods. The
Midianites ruled over them for many years. The Israelites were driven to
hide in caves and hills, and repented disobeying God. Once, Gideon, the
son of Joash, was threshing wheat in a rock’s hollow, lamenting why God
had forsaken them. An angel came to tell him that God would help him to
save his people from the Midianites!
Gideon secretly destroyed the altar to Baal, made by Joash, and built
another altar to God! But people found out and wanted to kill Gideon. Joash
said that if Baal was a god, he himself would punish Gideon.
Meanwhile, Gideon gathered an army. Taking his soldiers to a stream, he
finally selected only 300 men who drank water from their cupped hands.
Gideon and his men attacked the Midianites, carrying huge torches,
blowing on trumpets and shouting. In confusion, the Midianites attacked
each other, and fled, leaving Gideon to be the victor!

29. NAOMI AND RUTH

A famine in Israel, once forced Elimelech to leave Bethlehem in Judah for
Moab, with his wife, Naomi, and sons, Mahlon and Chilion. Elimelech
died, and his sons married Moab women, Ruth and Orpah, but later the sons
too died. Learning that the famine was over, Naomi decided to return home,
and set free Ruth and Oprah. But Ruth insisted on going with her. Boaz was
a wealthy relative of Elimelech, and engaged in harvest. Naomi and Ruth
had returned in dire poverty, so Naomi sent Ruth to glean his fields, and he
showed great kindness. Boaz later married Ruth. They had a son, Obed,
who fathered Jesse, who had eight sons. His youngest was David, who was
a shepherd and musician, but went on to become a king!

30. THE PROPHET SAMUEL

An Israelite, Elkanah, had two wives, Penninah and Hannah. The childless
Hannah once prayed at Shiloh’s holy site, vowing that if she had a son, she
would dedicate him to God. As she mumbled, the priest, Eli, first thought
she was drunk, but later blessed her. Hannah soon gave birth to a son,
Samuel. When Samuel was still small, she left him in Eli’s care, to serve
God.
One night, God called out to Samuel. Thinking it was Eli, Samuel rushed to
him. This happened thrice. The next time, Eli understood it was God. When
God called out to Samuel again, as told by Eli, Samuel said: ‘Speak, Lord,
your servant is listening.’ God told Samuel that he would soon punish the
Israelites, especially Eli and his family as his sons had said wicked things
about Him. In the morning, Eli insisted on knowing what God had said, and
hearing God’s message, Eli accepted God’s will. Samuel had many more
revelations, and was regarded as a great prophet.

31. A KING FOR THE ISRAELITES

On becoming old, Samuel appointed his corrupt and selfish sons as leaders,
so the people asked for a king. Samuel prayed to God, who told him to warn
his people that a king would exploit and oppress them, but they were
adamant. On God’s instructions, Samuel selected Matri’s family from
Benjamin’s tribe, from which Saul was named king.
Saul had three sons and two daughters from his wife, besides two other
sons. He wanted to wage war on the Philistines. Samuel told him to
completely destroy the Amalekites. But Saul left the king and the best
livestock unharmed. Learning of his disobedience, Samuel told him that
God would appoint another king in his place.
32. DAVID AND GOLIATH
After telling Saul of God’s rejection, Samuel went to Bethlehem, ostensibly
to offer sacrifice, but invited Jesse and his sons, and anointed David as king.
Saul was troubled by an evil spirit. Hearing of David’s musical skills, he
sent for him, and David stayed at the court, playing the harp to soothe the
troubled king.
Goliath, a giant in the Philistine army, challenged the Israelites to a single
combat, saying that whoever got killed would be declared losers. David had
gone to the battlefield to look for his three elder brothers with the Israeli
army, and took up Goliath’s challenge! Saul was unsure, but David
convinced him, and went to fight with a sling and some smooth stones.
Goliath laughed. But David took his sling and aimed a stone at the giant’s
head. It hit Goliath’s forehead; he fell down. David then cut off his head
with Goliath’s own sword! In panic, the Philistines fled!
33. DAVID: A THREAT TO SAUL
Saul knew David was a good warrior. His son, Jonathan, and David were
good friends. Saul wanted David to marry his elder daughter, Merab, but he
married the second one, Michal. Meanwhile, Saul kept trying to kill David.
David went into hiding, but Saul followed David. Twice, David could have
killed Saul, but spared him.
The second time, David slipped into Saul’s camp, stole his spear and water
jug, and left his own spear thrust into the ground besides the sleeping king.
The next day, David appeared before Saul, and showed the spear and water
jug as proof that he could have killed Saul the night before. Saul became
remorseful. The two vowed never to harm each other, and parted ways
forever. Later, the Philistines badly defeated the Israelites. King Saul and
his arms-bearer fell on their own swords and died.

34. DAVID AND HIS SON, ABSALOM

David became king when he was 30 years old. He conquered Jerusalem and
made it his capital. His kingdom became stronger and larger. He always
praised God. One day, he learnt that only Mephibosheth, Jonathan’s son,
was alive from Saul’s family. David had him brought to Jerusalem, and
returned all of his grandfather’s land to him.
David’s ambitious son, Absalom, had become very popular, and tried to
overthrow his father. David left Jerusalem with his family and men.
Absalom followed them with his men. The two armies clashed. Many were
killed. David instructed his commanders not to harm Absalom. But on
losing, Absalom tried to flee. His head got entangled in the branches of a
huge oak tree, while his steed ran on. Joab, David’s commander, then killed
Absalom. Hearing this, David wept inconsolably.
35. THE WISE KING SOLOMON
When David was about to die, he appointed his son, Solomon, as the new
king. He told Solomon to worship God, and obey all His commands. Then,
David went to sleep, and died in his sleep.
One night, God appeared to Solomon in a dream and asked him what he
wanted. Solomon said that he was too young to rule, and asked for wisdom
to rule God’s people well, and know the difference between right and
wrong.
Pleased with him, God granted him this wish, as well as glory and riches
that no other king would have, and a long life if Solomon obeyed Him as
David had.
Israel became very powerful under Solomon. He became known for his
wisdom, and many kings sought his friendship and advice.

36. THE JUSTICE OF SOLOMON

Two women once came to seek justice from King Solomon. One said that
she had given birth to a baby boy, two days after which the other woman
also had a son. She said that the other woman had rolled over her baby
accidentally, and he died, so she replaced the two infants when the first
woman was fast asleep. On waking up, the first woman realised that the
dead infant was not her son. Both began to argue and accuse each other.
Solomon asked a soldier to cut the infant in half, and give one half to each
woman. The real mother begged him not to cut the child, but to give it to
the other woman, who told him to cut it into two pieces!
Solomon announced that the woman who wanted the baby to live was the
real mother, and gave the infant to her. The people marvelled at his verdict.

37. SOLOMON AND THE QUEEN OF SHEBA

Solomon’s fame had spread far and wide. The Queen of Sheba wanted to
test his knowledge by asking him difficult questions. She came to
Jerusalem, bearing an enormous amount of fragrant spices, which could be
smelt from far, besides gold and precious stones. She was greatly impressed
with his palace. He was also the builder of the first temple in Jerusalem, a
magnificent temple of gold that he had raised to God.
Satisfied with his wise answers, she gave him the gifts and left, while
Solomon also gave her valuable gifts.

38. THE PROPHET ELIJAH

King Ahab was Israel’s most evil ruler. He and his wife, Jezebel, punished
the Israelites for worshipping God. Elijah told Ahab that God would send a
severe drought and famine to Israel, if he did not mend his ways. Then, as
told by God, Elijah went to a brook on the other side of Jordan, where
ravens provided him with food. Later, he went to a widow’s home in
Zarephath.
She was gathering firewood at the town gates. He asked her for food. She
replied that she only had a little flour and oil left to prepare a last meal for
herself and her son. Elijah told her to share it with him, and God would
provide for her. The woman gave him the little food, and God blessed her!
Throughout the famine, there was no lack of bread in her house.
39. THE DROUGHT IN ISRAEL AND FIRE IN GOD’S
ALTAR
Israel suffered from drought for three years. The Israelites and Baal’s 450
prophets gathered at Mt Carmel. Elijah said that if the Lord was God,
people should follow Him, but if Baal was God they should follow him. He
said both groups would make altars, cut one bull into pieces, place it in the
altar, and pray to their gods to send fire. The prophets of Baal did so. They
danced and prayed to Baal to send fire, but got no fire.
Elijah used twelve stones to make an altar, one for each tribe of Israel. He
dug a trench around it, placed firewood on the altar, cut and placed the bull
in it, and submerged the meat and wood in overflowing water. Then, Elijah
prayed to God, who sent fire, lighting up the altar! People’s faith in Him
returned, and they killed Baal’s prophets. And God sent rain, ending Israel’s
drought.
40. GOD’S COMMAND TO ELIJAH
On finding out what Elijah had done, Queen Jezebel sent him a message
that she would have him killed. Elijah fled to the desert, and walked for 40
days till he reached Mt Sinai. When God asked him why he had come,
Elijah replied that the Israelites had become unfaithful to God and killed
His prophets, and he was the only one left.
God instructed Elijah to go to Damascus and anoint Hazael as king of
Aram, and Jehu the king of Israel. He also told him to pour oil on Elisha,
Shaphat’s son, who would be the next prophet. Elijah set out to fulfil God’s
command. He came upon a youth, Elisha, ploughing a field with oxen. He
placed his cloak over Elisha’s shoulders as a sign that he should follow him,
which Elisha did.
41. THE CHARIOT OF FIRE
When the time came for Elijah, he told Elisha that God wanted him to go to
Bethel. Elisha insisted on going along. Elijah told him to stay behind in
Bethel first, and later in Jericho, but Elisha went with him till the River
Jordan.
Reaching the river, Elijah removed his cloak, and struck the river with it.
The waters separated, leaving a dry path for Elijah and Elisha! When Elijah
asked what Elisha wanted, he said: ‘To be a great prophet like you!’ Elijah
replied that only if Elisha saw him depart, would his wish be granted.
Suddenly, a chariot of fire appeared, pulled by horses, and Elijah was
carried to heaven! His cloak fell down. Elisha saw all this. Going back to
the river, he used Elijah’s cloak to cross it again. The onlookers exclaimed
that Elijah’s spirit had entered Elisha!
42. MIRACLES OF THE PROPHET ELISHA
Elisha performed many miracles, for which he was known even in
neighbouring countries. Once, an Israeli woman, who was a widow, asked
him for help. She told him that her husband owed some money to a man,
who wanted to take away her two sons and make them his slaves!
She had nothing at home, except a small jar of oil. Elisha told her to collect
empty jars from her neighbours, and pour oil into those jars. Miraculously,
she was soon able to fill many jars from that one small jar! And blessed by
Elisha, the oil was so much that she and her sons could pay the debt and
live on the rest.
43. THE BLINDED SYRIAN SOLDIERS
The Syrian king made several attempts to invade Israel, but failed. Elisha
learnt of his preparations as he spoke of them, and would tell the Israelite
king. The Syrian king thought there was a spy, but one of his commanders
put him wise to it, saying: ‘It is Elisha!’
The next morning, Elisha’s servant went to fetch water, and was horrified to
find the place teeming with enemy soldiers on horseback. He rushed back to
inform Elisha. The Syrians had just begun moving in on the city, when
Elisha prayed to God to make them go blind, and they were struck with
blindness. Going to them, Elisha said that they were in the wrong place, and
guided them to Samaria, Israel’s capital. He also prayed to God to restore
their eyesight, which God did. When the king asked Elisha if he should kill
them, the prophet told him to lay out a lavish meal for them, and let them
return safely!
After that, Syria no longer waged war against Israel.

44. JONAH AND THE WHALE

The wicked people of Nineveh, Assyria’s capital, were great enemies of the
Israelites. God chose Jonah, the son of Amittai, to tell them to change their
ways or face His wrath. Jonah did not want to give his enemies a chance to
redeem themselves, and wanted God to punish them. So, he set sail in a
ship.
A terrible, wild storm broke out. Jonah was fast asleep in the hold, when he
was woken up. He understood that it was because of him. He told the
soldiers to throw him into the sea, who reluctantly did so. At once, the sea
became calm. And Jonah was swallowed by a whale! He kept praying.
After three days, God relented. The whale released Jonah on dry land. This
time, he went to Nineveh to give God’s message. The Assyrians repented,
and escaped being punished by God.

45. JEREMIAH AND THE BROKEN POT

Jeremiah, Hilkiah’s young son, was told by God to tell the people of Judaea
and Jerusalem, to worship God only. People by then were making offerings
to Baal. Jeremiah said he did not know what to say, so God touched his
mouth to place the word of the Lord there.
Jeremiah bought a large clay jar and asked people to go with him to where
they performed idol worship. He dashed the jar to the ground, breaking it
into pieces. He told them that similarly God would punish them, that Judaea
would face famine, be plundered and taken captive, and the Babylonians
would capture Jerusalem.
The priests and king’s officials tried to kill him. A Cushite rescued him,
though he stayed imprisoned till the Babylonian army captured Jerusalem
and took King Zedekiah captive. But, the Babylonians treated Jeremiah
with great kindness.

46. DANIEL, THE INTERPRETER OF DREAMS

When Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians, Nebuchadnezzar was the king. He
chose four Jewish boys: Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, to
undergo training to serve as his assistants. The king spoke to them and was
impressed by their wisdom, especially by Daniel who could interpret
dreams, so he kept Daniel with him. The four continued to worship God.
The king had a huge gold statue, which all had to worship. Hearing that
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego did not do so, he ordered them to
worship it; they refused. As they were thrown into a blazing furnace, they
said that God would save them! An amazed Nebuchadnezzar saw that they
remained unscathed, and a fourth man who seemed to be an angel, was
present with them! The king had to admit that their God was the greatest,
and appointed them as senior officials.

47. THE WRITING ON THE WALL

Nebuchadnezzar had taken gold and silver cups from Jerusalem’s temple.
When he died, his son, Belshazzar became king. One evening, Belshazzar
and his officials were feasting and drinking wine from the temple’s cups,
when the terrified king saw strange handwriting on the palace wall. He sent
for many wise men and finally, Daniel, offering a rich reward for
interpreting the writing. Daniel did not seek a reward, but told Belshazzar
that God had granted greatness to his father, who became arrogant, and
Belshazzar was doing the same. He was also drinking wine from the sacred
cups. Daniel told him that God was displeased with him, and his kingdom
was soon going to be divided between the Medes and Persians.
Belshazzar rewarded Daniel, but was killed the same night by the Medes
and Persians. Darius, the Mede, became the new king.
48. DANIEL IN THE LION’S DEN
Darius was a great king. Many governors ruled over his provinces, and
three advisors supervised their work, including Daniel. He wanted to give
the wise Daniel complete charge. The others plotted to get Daniel into the
king’s bad books. They learnt that Daniel used to look out of his window
thrice a day, in the direction of Jerusalem’s temple, and worship God. They
made Darius pass a law stating that anyone who wanted anything over the
next month, should only ask the king and not any god, or they would be
thrown into a pit of lions. Daniel realised it was a trap, and prayed to God to
save him.
His enemies now complained about him to Darius. The distressed king
understood their motive, but couldn’t change the law that he himself had
passed, and Daniel was thrown into the pit! ‘May your Lord, whom you
serve so faithfully, save you,’ he told Daniel. The king had a sleepless night.
The next morning, when he rushed to the lion’s pit, Daniel was safe! An
angel had come to his rescue! Daniel was brought out. Darius had Daniel’s
enemies thrown into the same pit of lions, and ordered everyone to respect
Daniel’s great God.
49. EZEKIEL
On capturing Jerusalem, Nebuchadnezzar took Ezekiel, a priest in God’s
temple with him to Babylon. Ezekiel once had a mystical vision, and God
told him to tell his people to worship Him only. Ezekiel took a large brick
and scratched a picture of Jerusalem on it. He moulded the sand into little
models of an army around it. The crowd recognised Jerusalem, but didn’t
understand the rest. The next day, Ezekiel prepared a carefully measured
meal, which the crowd felt that people in Jerusalem could soon be doing.
Later, he cut off his entire hair, dividing it into three equal lots. He threw
one part into the fire, chopped the second into tiny pieces, and scattered the
rest to the wind. Then, picking up the stray hair he could find, he wrapped
them carefully in his cloak.
The people understood that people in Jerusalem would be killed or die, or
scattered far away from their land. But God would keep safe a few, and
bring them back home.

50. HOW ESTHER SAVED THE JEWS

King Xerxes, who ruled over the great Persian Empire, had conquered
Babylonia. He had banished his first wife, Vashti, who had refused to
parade her beauty before his guests, but none of his other wives could take
her place. He decided to re-marry. A Jewish orphan, Esther, who was
staying there with her cousin, Mordecai, was selected for a royal beauty
parade. Mordecai told her to hide her identity from everyone. The moment
Xerxes saw Esther, he wanted to marry her.
Once, Mordecai discovered a plan to kill Xerxes and sent a message to
Esther, and the king’s life was saved.
Haman was Xerxes’ prime minister and everyone bowed to him, except
Mordecai. Haman wanted to kill the entire Jewish race, and took the king’s
permission for it. When Esther learnt of it, she invited Xerxes and Haman to
a special banquet. After the banquet, she told Xerxes to spare her life and
the lives of her fellow Jews! The king was very disturbed at this revelation.
Haman begged Esther for forgiveness, but the king punished him, and made
Mordecai the highest-ranking official in his kingdom.
 THE BIBLE – THE NEW TESTAMENT

51. THE PROMISE OF A CHILD

More than 400 years had passed with the Jews being first ruled by the
Greeks, then Persians, and finally Romans. They longed for God’s promised
king to save Israel. The priests serving in Jerusalem’s temple were divided
into 24 groups, with lots drawn to select the priest who would burn incense
at the altar, inside the temple.
A priest, Zechariah, and his wife, Elizabeth, had grown old but were
childless. One day, it was Zechariah who burned the incense. He prayed to
God to send the promised king. A sharp light pierced the smoke, frightening
Zechariah, and he found an angel there! The angel said that a son would be
born to him, who should be named John. The angel gave his name as
Gabriel and said that John would be great like Elijah, and bring people back
to God. When Zechariah came out, he couldn’t utter a word, but touched his
lips and pointed upwards. Returning home, he wrote Gabriel’s message for
Elizabeth.
52. THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
Mary was related to Elizabeth, and lived in Nazareth. She was engaged to
marry the local carpenter, Joseph, who was a descendant of King David.
One day, a strange brightness shone through into her room. She looked up,
startled, to find an angel standing before her! He told her that he was
Gabriel, and God had chosen her to give birth to the long-awaited king,
David’s descendant!
Mary wondered aloud how this could happen as she was unmarried. Gabriel
said that God’s Holy Spirit would come to her, and so her child would be
God’s own child! He also told her that Elizabeth would be having a baby
after three months. Mary couldn’t understand all this, but was ready to serve
God in the way He wanted. She went to meet Elizabeth and confide in her,
but Elizabeth already knew. Both the women rejoiced at their good fortune,
and Mary burst out singing in praise of God.

53. JOHN THE BAPTIST

A week after their baby was born, Elizabeth and Zechariah held a great
feast. Relatives and friends thought that the child would be named after his
father, but Elizabeth said his name would be John. When they turned to
Zechariah, he also wrote down the name ‘John’. Instantly, his speech
returned.
He thanked and praised God for blessing them. Taking his son from his
wife’s arms, he said that John was special, too, for he would convey God’s
message of love and forgiveness, and make things ready for God’s King.
When John grew up, he went to live in a hot desert, to meditate upon God.
He dressed and spoke simply, like Elijah, and gave God’s message to
people, telling them to repent for their sins and live as He wanted. Many
were repentant, so John baptised them by dipping them in River Jordan’s
waters, signifying that God had given them a clean, new start.

54. THE BIRTH OF THE SAVIOUR

Joseph was eagerly waiting to get married, but on learning of Mary’s
pregnancy, he became very upset. He resolved to break off his marriage
quietly, to save Mary from disgrace.
That night, God appeared to him in a dream. He said that Mary’s child was
going to be born through His Spirit! He told him to marry Mary and bring
up the child as his own. He also told Joseph to name him Jesus, ‘the one
who saves’, for he was God’s promised king!
Joseph now happily married Mary. He had to enter his name in the Roman
register at Bethlehem, and took Mary along. They reached Bethlehem to
find that the inn was full. Noticing Mary’s condition, someone offered a
cave. Joseph cleaned it as best as he could, and Jesus was born there. Mary
wrapped up Baby Jesus in strips of cloth, and he slept in a manger!

55. THE SHEPHERDS AND THE THREE WISE MEN

The night Jesus was born, shepherds in the fields around Bethlehem
suddenly found the night sky lit by an unearthly, splendid bright light! An
angel announced that Christ the Lord had been born in Bethlehem, and lay
in a manger! The whole sky then filled with the angels singing praises of
God. As suddenly as they had come, the angels disappeared! The shepherds
raced to Bethlehem. When they found Mary and Joseph, and the baby
asleep in the manger, they fell down on to their knees.
Learned men in distant lands had also heard of a great king promised by
God to the Jews. Finding a very bright star that night, three wise men set off
for Jerusalem, bearing rich gifts. The Roman King Herod, who ruled
Jerusalem, feared someone would seize his throne, and had heard the
prophecy of a coming Messiah. When he learnt of rich strangers seeking the
new king, he called his religious teachers who told him that the Messiah
was prophesied to be born in Bethlehem. Herod cleverly sent the wise men
to Bethlehem, but told them to return and tell him where the baby was, as
he also wanted to take presents for him.
Joseph had moved Mary and the baby to a simple house, but the wise men
had no doubt that this was the long-awaited king, whom the simple, peasant
girl was nursing, and knelt low in worship. That night, God appeared in
their dreams and commanded them not to meet King Herod, and return by
another path.
56. JESUS PRESENTED IN THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM
Joseph and Mary took the baby Jesus to present him to God, in the Temple
of Jerusalem. A God-fearing man, Simeon, had been promised by God that
he would not die before he had seen the Saviour. The Holy Spirit led
Simeon to the Temple. He lifted the baby Jesus in his arms and thanked
God. ‘I can die in peace now,’ he said, ‘for I have seen the Saviour! He will
show Your way to everyone and bring glory to Israel.’
Joseph and Mary were amazed at this, but Simeon blessed them and told
Mary that her child would bring joy to many, and also anger, and things
would happen to make people very sad.
Anna, an elderly widow, lived in the Temple. She was also a devout
worshipper. On seeing the baby Jesus, she thanked God, and began to say
that his coming was a sign that God would set Jerusalem free.
57. ESCAPE TO EGYPT AND RETURN TO NAZARETH
The night when the wise men had been warned by God to avoid Herod,
Joseph too was warned by an angel to take Mary and Jesus to Egypt, to save
Jesus from Herod.
Herod waited in vain for the wealthy strangers to return to tell him where
the baby king was. Realising that they must have left by another route, he
ordered the death of each boy under the age of two years, in or around
Bethlehem!
By this time, Joseph had already left for Egypt with Mary and Jesus. A little
later, King Herod died, and an angel told Joseph to return home.
Joseph learnt that Herod’s son, Archelaus, who was equally cruel, had
become king. Joseph didn’t wish to return to Bethlehem. But Archelaus had
control only over the country’s southern part, so Joseph returned to the
north with Mary and Jesus, and settled again in Nazareth.
58. JESUS IN HIS FATHER’S HOUSE
Jewish families celebrated the Passover each year at Jerusalem. When Jesus
was twelve, his parents took him to the Passover festival in Jerusalem. After
the celebrations, the mothers started off for their homes with their children,
with the men following. In the evening, when Joseph met Mary again, he
asked: ‘Where’s Jesus?’ Mary’s heart skipped several beats. She had
thought that he was with the men! They checked with everyone, but not
finding him, they retraced their steps back to Jerusalem, asking all they met
about him.
Finally, someone guided them to the rabbis or teachers, in the Temple. Mary
soon caught sight of her son listening to the elderly teachers, and then saw
their surprise when he asked them something. Joseph went and firmly took
hold of his arm, and Mary admonished him. Jesus replied: ‘I thought you
would know that I must be in my Father’s house.’
59. THE SPECIAL LIFE-WORK OF JESUS
Mary had understood that Jesus knew that God was his Father, but had to
wait to find out how her son was different.
One day, Jesus met John, who had baptised many, and asked to be baptised
also! John refused at first, saying that Jesus was better than him, but Jesus
insisted, so John baptised him. Just then, John saw something like a dove
alighting on Jesus. In a blinding flash he understood that Jesus was the
promised king. Just then, God told Jesus that he was wholly pleased with
him.
Jesus knew that his work as a carpenter in his father’s shop was over.
Guided by the Holy Spirit, he left his home to meditate in the desert, where
there was no food to eat and only the sounds of wild animals. He knew he
was going to be a different king: there would be no palace, fine clothes, or
slaves for him. He would be poor, badly treated, and killed cruelly!

60. HOW SATAN TRIED TO TEMPT JESUS

One day, when Jesus was hungry and exhausted as he had only prayed and
not eaten for many days, Satan told him that since he was God’s Son, he
could order the rocks to turn into loaves. Jesus replied that food is not the
most vital thing. Satan then offered him the world, and Jesus saw the earth’s
glittering empires flash before his eyes, but said that he would only do
things the way God wanted.
At last, Satan told him to jump off the top of the temple, saying that God
would save him from being hurt. But Jesus answered that said it was wrong
to test God. Seeing that he could not tempt Jesus to disobey God, Satan left
him alone, and God sent angels to help and support Jesus.
61. THE TWELVE DISCIPLES OF JESUS
Jesus knew when the time had come to tell people that God’s Kingdom was
on the earth. He did not announce that he was the king, instead he showed
God’s love and power in all he did. Jesus also prayed to God to show him
those who would help him.
He was walking along Lake Galilee once, when he saw two old friends,
Andrew and Peter, also called Simon. ‘Come with me,’ he said. Dropping
their nets, they raced across to him. Then, he saw two other fishermen, John
and James, and said, ‘Follow me!’ Leaving their father to the aid of his
servants, they also went to Jesus.
Besides fishermen, there were freedom fighters and Mathew, a tax collector
of King Herod. These special twelve disciples or apostles Jesus selected
were: Peter; James; John; Andrew; Bartholomew or Nathanael; James, the
Lesser or Younger; Judas or Thaddaeus; Matthew; Philip; Simon the Zealot;
Thomas, and Judas Iscariot.
62. WHEN WATER BECAME WINE
Jesus was invited to a wedding once, along with his disciples, to a small
village, Cana. As the guests were enjoying the feast, the bridegroom’s
family panicked, for the wine had finished! Mary was helping the family,
and called out to her son to do something, or their friends would be in
disgrace. Jesus knew that his time at home was over, and now he had to
follow God’s orders. He told his mother that he would wait for the right
time to act. Mary told the servants to do exactly as Jesus asked them to do.
Jesus saw a row of empty, huge water-pots which the guests had used to
wash their hands. He told the servants to fill up those jars, and draw water
from them to serve the guests. As the servants poured for the guests,
everyone saw that the cups were being filled with rich, red wine! The chief
guest took a satisfying sip, and said: ‘So, you left the best wine till the end!’
Jesus’s disciples had seen everything. They were filled with wonder and
knew Jesus was special, and would bring joy and love wherever he went.
63. JESUS THE HEALER
Matthew had given up a well-paid job for Jesus, but gave a party for his
friends to meet Jesus. Many came uninvited, who were a bad lot. This led
the religious leaders to ask Jesus’ disciples why Jesus, being so good, was
sharing a feast with such awful people.
Overhearing them, Jesus asked: ‘Do you go to the doctor when you are
well, or when you are ill? The sick people are the ones who need the doctor,
and as God’s doctor, I have to go to those who are wrong and have broken
God’s law, to heal and forgive them.’
One Sabbath, Jesus went with his disciples to Capernaum’s synagogue.
After the service, Peter and Andrew took Jesus home. Peter’s wife
worriedly told them that their mother was very ill, and her fever was
increasing. Jesus was led to her, as she lay moaning and tossing. Taking her
thin hand in his, he helped her to sit up. At once, her fever and pain
vanished, and she smiled at Jesus! She stood up, feeling strong, and soon
had dinner readied for Jesus and his disciples! Her neighbours couldn’t
believe their eyes! The news spread like wildfire, and a huge crowd had
assembled outside Peter’s home by the evening.
There were blind and deaf people, many who couldn’t walk, some troubled
by evil spirits, and lepers, brought by relatives and friends. Jesus healed
them all, showing that God’s great power was at work through him, and that
God loved and cared for each of them.

64. JESUS AND THE FOUR FRIENDS

Jesus spread the message of the merciful Lord wherever he went, saying
that if anyone repented, God forgave sinners and their sins.
Once, as he preached in a crowded, little house in Capernaum, four friends
came there, each holding a corner of a mat, on which lay a sick man who
was unable to walk. They tried to push their way inside but couldn’t, and
wondered how they could get their friend to Jesus.
One of them got a brilliant idea. He climbed on to the flat roof and scraped
away at the mud, filling the gaps between the roof beams. When the hole
was fairly large, the other three brought the mat up, and all slowly lowered
it down, placing it at Jesus’s feet.
Turning to the man who lay still on the mat, Jesus said: ‘Your sins are
forgiven, my son.’ He commanded him to stand up, pick up his mat, and
return home. The man did just that!
65. WHEN JESUS CALMED THE STORM
After an entire day of healing and preaching at Lake Galilee’s shore, Jesus
told his disciples that they should now cross the lake. All were tired. No
sooner had Jesus’s head touched his cushion in the stern, that he fell into a
sound sleep. His disciples started rowing. Suddenly, a storm overtook them,
and water entered their boat! The disciples tried hard to bale the water out,
but it poured inside furiously. Amazed to find Jesus still fast asleep, they
shook him by the shoulder, and shouted: ‘Wake up! We’re going to be
drowned!’
At once Jesus stood up. He ordered the howling wind: ‘Be quiet!’ The wind
died down. He commanded the waves: ‘Be still!’ The waters immediately
subsided.
When he asked his disciples why they had been scared or if they did not
they trust him, they remained silent, filled with wonder, as even the sea and
wind listened to Jesus!

66. BRINGING THE DEAD BACK TO LIFE

Once, Jesus and his disciples were at the lake shore with a huge crowd.
Jairus, the synagogue’s president, came rushing and fell at Jesus’s feet,
saying: ‘My little daughter is ill and will die, if you don’t come quickly.’
Jesus turned to follow Jairus. The crowd jostled behind. Feeling a touch, he
asked: ‘Who touched me?’ Gathering her courage, a small woman knelt at
Jesus’s feet. She said that she had been ill for 12 years, but no doctor had
been able to cure her, and she was sure she would be cured if she could
touch Jesus’s cloak. And so she was! Jesus blessed her and she left
joyously.
Just then, some servants told Jairus that his daughter had died. His heart
sank. Jesus said: ‘Don’t be frightened; trust me.’ They quickly went to his
house, where mourners were wailing. ‘The little one is only sleeping,’ said
Jesus. Going to her room in the presence of her parents, Peter, James, and
John, Jesus held her tiny, cold hand in his. ‘Little one, get up,’ he said. She
opened her eyes, and began jumping about!

67. TWO FISH AND FIVE BREAD ROLLS TO FEED A

CROWD
Jesus’s disciples were exhausted one day, so Jesus said that they should rest
for awhile. Clambering into Peter’s boat, they set forth for a quiet spot, but
a crowd reached the place before them! In the evening, Jesus’s disciples
begged him to send the people away. ‘They have to buy their food,’ they
said. ‘Why don’t you feed them?’ asked Jesus. Astonished, they replied:
‘We don’t have the money to feed these 5,000 men, their wives and
families.’ Andrew told Jesus that a lad had offered him two little fish and
five small bread rolls. Jesus made his disciples organise the crowds into
groups of fifty. Thanking the shy boy, Jesus took the lunch from him, held it
up, and thanked God.
After that, he kept handing bread and fish to each of his disciples, till the
people were fully satisfied! While the disciples again wondered at their
master, with a basketful left for their next meal!

68. TREADING ON WATER

When the meal was over, it was nearly dark. Jesus told his disciples to
return. He stayed back for awhile, then sent the cheering crowd away, and
climbed the hill overlooking the lake to be alone with his Father.
Meanwhile, his disciples had encountered a strong wind. Jesus saw them
from afar and realised how exhausted they must be. He decided to go to
them. His disciples were terrified to see a mysterious figure nearing them
across the lake. Worn out, they began to scream: ‘It’s a ghost!’ A familiar
voice told them: ‘Don’t be afraid! It’s me. I’m coming to help.’
Peter said: ‘If it’s you really, then ask me to come to you.’ Jesus did so.
Peter started to walk over the water, but a strong gust made him sink. ‘Help!
Save me, my Lord!’ he shouted, and Jesus pulled him out, holding his hand.
Both then climbed into the boat. The wind died down. And his disciples
were filled with wonder once more.

69. THE CENTURION’S SLAVE

When Jesus was in Capernaum once, some religious leaders requested him
to help a Roman officer. They said that he respected Jews and had given
funds to build the synagogue, and now needed Jesus’s help. Jesus beckoned
to the centurion who was standing at attention. He begged Jesus to cure one
of his slaves who was suffering great pain. Jesus asked if he wanted him to
go with him.
‘Oh no, Sir!’ he said. ‘Your order will be enough. I have many soldiers
under my command. I just say, ‘Come here,’ or ‘Go there’, and a servant
runs to do my bidding. So, I know you just have to give the word of
command to heal my servant.’
Jesus was astonished at this, and said: ‘Nobody has shown so much faith in
me as this Roman soldier.’ Turning to the centurion, he said: ‘Go home
now. You’ll find that your slave has been healed just as you had believed he
would be.’

70. MAKING THE DEAF HEAR AND THE DUMB SPEAK

One day, Jesus was beseeched by a small group of men, who asked if he
could cure their deaf and dumb friend, whom they had brought along. Jesus
gently led the man away from the crowds milling about. He carefully
mimed everything that he would do, so that the deaf man understood, even
though he could not hear anything.
Firstly, Jesus lightly placed his fingers in the man’s ears, indicating that he
would cure his deafness. Then, he moistened his finger and touched the
man’s tongue, showing that he would restore his speech also. Next, Jesus
looked up, seeming to pray, so that the man knew he was going to cure him
by God’s power. Finally, Jesus said: ‘Ephphatha!’, meaning ‘Open Up’, in
the Aramaic language spoken by Jesus and his disciples. At this, the man’s
hearing and speech defects disappeared! The stunned people said: ‘Isn’t
Jesus wonderful? He can make the deaf hear and the dumb speak!’

71. BRINGING A WIDOW’S SON BACK TO LIFE

One day, Jesus and his disciples were walking up a steep path to a town,
called Nain. A funeral procession was on its way down, so they stood aside.
Some men were carrying a youth’s dead body. His weeping mother was
walking beside them. Jesus knew she was a widow, and felt very sorry for
her. He gently told her: ‘Don’t cry,’ stepped across and touched the
stretcher. All eyes were on Jesus. ‘Get up, young man,’ he said, and the
youth sat bolt upright. ‘What’s happening?’ the boy asked. Jesus took the
boy to his mother, and placed his hand in hers.
One of the amazed onlookers remembered the Old Testament, in which
Elisha had brought a boy back to life. A woman said that God had come to
them again, and would rescue them from their troubles.
People didn’t know Jesus well, but had seen God’s kindness and love
working through him.
72. JESUS IN A PHARISEE’S HOME
Simon was a Pharisee who wanted to know Jesus better, and invited him to
dinner, but didn’t give him a traditional welcome. Some guests came
uninvited; among them a woman with a very bad reputation. Quietly
slipping behind Jesus’s couch, she poured perfume on his feet. Her tears fell
on his feet, so she wiped them dry with her tresses, and gently kissed them.
Simon thought that Jesus could not be God’s prophet, or he wouldn’t have
let this sinful woman come near him. Jesus knew what Simon was thinking,
and said: ‘When I came, you didn’t offer me water to wash my feet, no
welcoming hug, nor a drop of olive oil to refresh my head. But she washed
my feet with her tears, kissed them, and poured costly perfume on them.
Those who think they don’t need God’s forgiveness, do not show love or
gratitude.’ Turning to the woman, Jesus said: ‘Your sins are forgiven. Go
and enjoy a life of peace.’
73. HE WATCHED FROM A TREE
Jesus and his disciples were going for the Passover festival to Jerusalem,
and were joined by others as they reached Jericho. Zacchaeus, the chief tax
collector, was very wealthy, but despised. All knew that he pocketed some
of people’s hard-earned money. He had heard of Jesus, and wanted to see
him. So, he climbed up a fig tree to see things clearly.
As Jesus neared, he held his breath. Jesus looked at him, and said:
‘Zacchaeus, come down! Tonight I will dine with you.’ He came down. As
people muttered, Jesus put his hand on his shoulder and went with him.
When they came outside after dinner, Zacchaeus said before the waiting
crowd: ‘I’ll give half of what I have to the poor, my Lord. And for those
I’ve robbed, I’ll return four times that amount.’
Jesus said: ‘I came for people like Zacchaeus, to bring back to God those
who had strayed away from Him.’

74. THE BLIND BEGGAR WHO GOT HIS EYESIGHT

BACK
Further along the street in Jericho, sat a blind beggar, Bartimaeus. He hoped
the pilgrims would give him some money. He had heard a lot about Jesus
and now heard his name. He was determined to seek help of the Messiah.
The pilgrims had come closer, and all were trying to listen to what Jesus
was saying. Bartimaeus shouted: ‘Jesus, Son of David! Have mercy on me!’
People shouted at him, but he shouted louder. Jesus said: ‘Tell him to come
here.’ The message was passed back. People now eagerly helped
Bartimaeus to his feet, who stumbled forward quickly in the direction of
Jesus’s voice. When Jesus asked him what he wanted, Bartimeus replied
that he wanted his eyesight back.
Jesus said: ‘You have been healed because of your faith in me. Go home
now.’ But just one look at Jesus was enough to make Bartimaeus happily
join the crowd.
75. THE LOST SHEEP
Strict religious leaders and Pharisees were enraged to see people who broke
rules to be present at Jesus’s sermons. Someone remarked that surely Jesus
wasn’t sent by God to teach them! Hearing this, Jesus told them a parable:
‘Imagine, you own a hundred sheep, and one night, one goes missing. What
will you do? Will you settle down with the ninety-nine sheep, and forget
about the lost sheep? You won’t! You’ll search high and low, shining your
lamp on all the dark bushes till you find it. And when you find your lost
sheep, you will celebrate with your friends and neighbours.’
Jesus explained that God feels about people like that. In Heaven, there is
more happiness over one lost person brought back to God, than over ninety-
nine good people.

76. THE LOST SON RETURNS

The Pharisees were still stony-faced, so Jesus told them another story of a
landowner who had two sons. His younger son wanted to go to town, and
asked for his share. The father gave it to him. The boy left, and spent freely.
Soon he had no money, or friends left. The boy got a job of looking after
animals. Remembering that even his father’s servants got plenty of food, he
realised his folly, and returned home in rags!
Spotting him from a distance, his father rushed to him, weeping with joy.
The boy was utterly repentant. The father got the best clothes for his son,
and killed the fatted calf.
Arriving home, the elder son fumed to find a celebration for his brother. He
complained that though he had worked hard all along, his father had never
given a party for him! The father tenderly told him that all he possessed was
his. But the older son had always been with him, whereas he had lost the
younger son and found him again.
77. THE WORKERS AND THEIR WAGES
Once, Jesus told a story about God’s kingdom: One day, early in the
morning, a man went to the marketplace to hire some workers to help in
harvesting his grapes, saying he would pay them a silver coin for a day’s
work. At nine o’clock, he went to hire more workers, and in the afternoon,
he hired still more. Then, with only an hour’s work was left, he again hired
some more men. When the day’s work was over, the foreman paid the
workers. The last batch was called first; each man was given a silver coin.
So were the workers who had begun working early in the morning! They
grumbled, saying that this was unfair.
The master gently said that the wages had been agreed upon before they
began working. It was up to him to be generous to latecomers, too!
Jesus told his puzzled disciples that in God’s kingdom, the last ones take
first place, while those who think they are first, end up last.

78. THE MAN WHO REFUSED TO FORGIVE

Once, Jesus told his disciples a story of a king who had his accounts
checked and found one servant owed him millions! The king ordered that
the servant and his family be sold as slaves. The servant fell at the king’s
feet, saying he would return the money over time. The king knew that
would never happen. But he was kind. Taking pity on his servant, he wrote
off his entire debt. No sooner had this servant left the king’s presence that
he came across another servant, who owed him a petty sum. ‘Where’s my
money?’ he asked. His victim pleaded for some time, but the servant caught
him by his throat and kicked him, demanding to be paid immediately. When
the king heard of this, he threw his wicked servant into prison, saying: ‘I
forgave your huge debt, but you showed no mercy to someone who owes
you a small sum!’
‘Remember,’ said Jesus, ‘God will not forgive you, unless you wholly
forgive others.’

79. THE RICH MAN AND THE BEGGAR

Jesus one day told his followers a story, to teach them that it is important
that we live our life on earth as God wants. For, after we die, there will be
no second chance.
There lived a rich man who had all the comforts that one could want.
Lazarus, a beggar, used to sit at this rich man’s gate, and fed on his
leftovers. Stray dogs would lick his sores.
The poor man died and went to heaven. When the rich man died, he went to
hell. As he burnt in the fire of hell, the rich man begged Abraham to send
Lazarus to cool his tongue which was on fire.
Abraham said: ‘My son, remember, in your lifetime you had all the good
things, but Lazarus had only bad things. Now, he is happy here, while you
are in pain. A deep pit divides us, which cannot be crossed from this side or
yours.’

80. THE GOOD SAMARITAN

One of the religious teachers asked Jesus how one could gain eternal life.
He knew we should love God, but asked: ‘How am I supposed to love
people?’
Jesus told him a story of a man who was travelling down the steep,
dangerous road from Jerusalem to Jericho. Robbers attacked him suddenly,
beat him up, took away his money and clothes, and left him half-dead.
Later, a priest came along. He saw the blood-soaked body with flies
hovering on it, but went on his way. A little later, a Levite came by, but also
went away. Next came a Samaritan, who were not friendly with Jews. Yet,
he cleaned the man’s wounds, and took him on his donkey to the nearest
inn. He gave the innkeeper two silver coins to look after him, saying he
would give more on his next trip, if needed.
‘Which one showed love to the wounded stranger?’ Jesus asked. ‘The one
who was kind,’ replied the teacher. ‘Then, be like him,’ said Jesus.

81. THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT

Some religious leaders, the Pharisees, strictly followed the law given by
Moses, to which they added their own rules, and were outraged at what
Jesus preached. When they refused to let Jesus enter the synagogues, he
taught his disciples and others in the open.
Jesus said that how people think and act is more important than how people
wash their hands or what they eat. He told his disciples that God sends
sunshine and rain to everyone, and told them to be generous even to those
who were spiteful or ill-treated them. One of the Ten Commandments is:
‘Do not murder.’
He told his disciples that God looks deep inside a person’s thoughts, so
when he sees anger or hatred, it is like committing a murder. Jesus said that
real happiness comes from being kind and patient, and not from grabbing or
pushing.

82. THE LORD’S PRAYER

When his disciples asked how they should pray, Jesus told them that they
should not pray to impress others, but to say one’s prayers quietly and in
solitude. He taught them what to say:
 Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be thy name,
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

83. JESUS BLESSES CHILDREN

Some mothers once took their babies, toddlers and little children to Jesus,
for his blessings. As usual, there was a huge crowd around him, so his
disciples sent the mothers away. As the mothers sadly turned to go, a baby
began to wail. Other babies began wailing, too. Jesus quickly looked up and
told his disciples: ‘Don’t ever turn children away! My kingdom is made up
of those who are willing to be trustful, loving, and humble like children.’
The disciples quickly told the women to come back. They eagerly rushed
back, the mothers holding up their babies for Jesus to bless. Jesus first held
the crying infants in his arms. They gazed at him, and began gurgling
contentedly. Picking up the toddlers, he hugged each one lovingly and,
lastly, placed his hands on the heads of the older children. The mothers now
left happily with their children.

84. THE GOOD SHEPHERD

Shepherds led a very rough life in the land where Jesus lived. A shepherd
had to go far each day to find sufficient grass for his flock. Streams would
dry up, and he had to find water for his sheep. At times, he would put
himself at risk as he saved a sheep fallen into the ravines, or in driving
away wild animals that attacked his herd.
Jesus told his disciples and others once: ‘I am the good shepherd. A hired
shepherd does not really care for his flock; if he sees a wolf coming, he runs
away. But I’m going to give my life for my sheep. My sheep are those
people who know me, recognise my voice, and come when I call.’
In fact, Jesus had not only come to shepherd the people of Israel, but was
going to give his life for the entire mankind. He said that he had many other
sheep that were not part of God’s fold, but he would call them and make
them one of his flock.
85. THE LIFE-GIVING WATER
A tired, thirsty Jesus was one day waiting for his disciples under a hot sun,
by the well near Sychar, in Samaria. A woman plodded to the well carrying
her water-pot. Jesus asked her for a drink of water. She was extremely
surprised. She could see that Jesus was a Jew, and Jews never spoke to
Samaritans. ‘You are willing to accept water from me, a Samaritan
woman?’ she asked. ‘Whoever are you?’
Jesus replied that if she knew that, she would offer him a drink of water,
and he would give her life-giving water. She laughed and said that he had
no bucket even to draw up the water! Jesus said that the water he gave was
very different and could satisfy the deepest needs of people. He said that his
water would form a spring inside that would rise up to eternal life. He knew
everything about the unhappy woman, and she soon realised that he was the
Messiah, whom God had sent to save the world!
86. HEALING ON THE SABBATH
Jesus differed in his thinking from the strict religious leaders, especially the
Pharisees. They tried to be good but taught that anything they called ‘work’
was forbidden on the Sabbath, in keeping with the commandment that said:
‘Keep the Sabbath Day holy.’
Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on a Sabbath day, when a man came
whose hand had been paralysed. Some Pharisees watched him keenly. Jesus
could read their minds. Calling the man to the front, he put a question to the
rest: ‘Do you think our law wants us to help people on the Sabbath, or harm
them?’ Nobody answered. Seeing the uncaring looks on the Pharisees’
faces, Jesus knew they did not wish to help the man, but were only trying to
create trouble for Jesus.
Jesus told the man to stretch his hand out, and the man did that. His lifeless
hand had become as good as the other one!
The Pharisees left angrily, but the people were happy.
87. THE GLORY OF JESUS
Jesus asked his disciples when they were in Caesarea Philippi, who people
thought he was. They told him: ‘Some say you are John the Baptist, others
say you are Elijah, while still others say you are one of the prophets.’
Jesus then asked them: ‘Who do you think I am?’ Peter replied: ‘You are
our Saviour, the Son of God.’ Jesus told his disciples that he would die in
Jerusalem. He said that having been born human, he would suffer greatly.
The religious teachers and chief priests would turn against him and get him
killed, but on the third day he would live again.
A week later, Jesus went up a high mountain with Peter, James, and John.
Suddenly, his face shone brightly and his clothes were dazzlingly white. His
disciples saw Moses and Elijah talking to him!
A cloud came and covered them all, and a voice spoke from within: ‘This is
my dear Son. Listen to him!’ The disciples fell on the ground, afraid to look
up. They looked up only when Jesus touched them on their shoulders, and
saw that he was now alone. As they descended, Jesus told them not to
reveal to anyone what they had seen, until he rose after his death. He told
his disciples to be humble, and always walk in God’s path.
88. LAZARUS BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE
Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary, living in Bethany, were good
friends of Jesus. One day, when Jesus was far away, Lazarus fell ill. Mary
and Martha were certain that Jesus could cure him, and sent him a message.
Jesus was very concerned, but continued with his work. He told his
disciples: ‘Lazarus won’t die.’
When Jesus returned to Bethany, Lazarus had been dead and buried for four
days! The house was full of mourners. Martha rushed to Jesus and said that
her brother wouldn’t have died if Jesus had been there. Jesus said: ‘The
person who believes in me will live again. Do you believe me?’ Martha
replied that she believed he was the Messiah, and ran to call Mary. When
Jesus saw Mary and the others weeping, he began to cry, too.
Going to the grave, he had the stone blocking its entrance to be removed,
and said: ‘Lazarus, come out!’ There was a soft sound, and Lazarus
emerged in grave-wrappings, full of life and health! He and his sisters
happily embraced each other. Some onlookers exclaimed: ‘Jesus must be
the Messiah!’ Others set off to tell Jesus’s enemies in Jerusalem about this,
and began to make plans to get Jesus soon arrested and killed.
89. JESUS: THE LAST PASSOVER IN JERUSALEM
Jerusalem was crowded with pilgrims from far and wide for the Passover.
The city was abuzz with the latest news of Jesus having given life to a dead
man. Jesus reached Bethany with his disciples. He sent two of them ahead
to bring back a young donkey tied next to its mother, and tell anyone who
asked that the Master would soon send it back. The disciples did his
bidding, and on learning that Jesus wanted the donkey, no objections were
raised.
The disciples made a saddle by spreading their coats on the donkey’s back.
Though nobody had ridden the young donkey so far, it was not scared when
Jesus mounted it. Zechariah had long before prophesied that the true King
would come one day, riding a donkey.
A huge procession of pilgrims accompanied Jesus. Many spread their
cloaks on the street to make a royal path for him; others threw leafy twigs.
Excitedly, they shouted: ‘Hosanna! Save us now, God! The promised king
has come! God bless him who has come in the name of the Lord!’
Finally, they all entered Jerusalem.
90. THE PLAN TO KILL JESUS
During the week-long Passover celebrations, Jesus taught by day in the
temple courts but returned at night to Bethany. The religious leaders hated
Jesus. Two days before the Passover supper, the Council’s 70 members met
at the house of Caiaphas, the high priest. They decided to wait till the
Passover was over before arresting Jesus, to prevent a riot.
One day, the religious leaders tried to ensnare Jesus by asking him: ‘Do you
think we should pay taxes or not, to the Romans?’ Jesus asked for a coin.
Someone gave him one. Holding it up, Jesus asked: ‘Whose head is on it?’
‘Caesar’s,’ they answered. Jesus then said: ‘Give Caesar what you owe him,
and give God what you owe Him.’
His excited disciples hoped that Jesus would be openly acknowledged as
king. Jesus kept warning them that he was not going to be an earthly king.
He would rule the hearts of his followers, but would soon be arrested by the
Romans and killed, and later would come to life again with his kingdom
spreading over the whole world. Judas Iscariot was the only one who
grasped what Jesus was saying. He realised his dreams of gaining power
and wealth under Jesus would not come true. Knowing that the priests and
religious leaders would need someone from inside to arrest Jesus, he struck
a deal with them. He was given thirty silver coins to tell them when and
where they could arrest Jesus.
91. THE BETRAYAL AND THE LAST SUPPER
It was time to prepare the Passover meal at the end of the festival. Jesus
wanted a safe place to enjoy this supper with his disciples. He sent two of
them ahead to the big, upstairs room, lent by a friend. They reached there,
all hot and dusty. Jesus fondly looked at them. He knew all their faults, yet
loved them. Even Judas, who he knew had betrayed him.
A pitcher of water and towel lay nearby, but no servant was around. So,
Jesus poured water into a basin, and washed the feet of his disciples. They
felt ashamed. Jesus said: ‘You call me your master and Lord, and I am that.
But I’m willing to even wash your feet, for I love you. I want you to love
and care for each other in the same way.’
They sat down for the meal, and Jesus said: ‘One of you is going to betray
me to my enemies.’ Each disciple was horrified, and asked: ‘You don’t
mean me, my Lord?’ Judas understood that Jesus knew. Finally, looking at
Judas with deep sorrow, Jesus said: ‘Be quick and get on with what you are
going to do.’ The others thought that Judas had been told to give some
money to the poor. Wordlessly, Judas went out into the dark night.
Jesus took a loaf of bread and shared it with his disciples, saying: ‘This
bread is my body, given to all of you.’ Mystified but thoughtful, the
disciples ate it. Taking a cup of wine, he then gave it to them to drink,
saying: ‘This wine is my life-blood, going to be given for many. This will
be the seal of God’s new covenant.’ The disciples drank it.

92. PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Jesus spoke for long after the supper, preparing his disciples for what lay
ahead. He told them that they would all run away, and leave him. ‘Never!’
exclaimed Peter, ‘I’m ready to die with you.’ ‘So are we,’ agreed the others.
But, Jesus told Peter that he would thrice deny knowing him before the
dawn.
Then, Jesus told his disciples: ‘Don’t worry even if you think everything
has gone wrong. Trust me and keep believing in me, just as you do in God.
I will be leaving you, but after arising from my death, we will all meet in
Galilee again. And after I finally return to my Father, I shall send my Holy
Spirit to you. You will be unable to see him, as he doesn’t have a human
form, but he always will be your friend and adviser.’
‘I’m going to return to my Father, to make a home ready there for all of
you. I’m gifting you the gift of peace, which will keep you happy and
strong in the face of difficulties.’
After this, they all sang the special Passover hymn.
93. JESUS ARRESTED IN THE GARDEN
After singing the hymn, Jesus led his disciples to Gethsemane, a quiet
garden nearby with silver olive trees. Judas knew of this plan. Peter, James,
and John were walking close to Jesus. ‘Don’t go,’ Jesus said, ‘stay close to
me. My heart is almost breaking with sorrow.’ But soon, Jesus went a little
away from them to pray. His friends saw that he was greatly distressed but
were so tired that they fell asleep.
Jesus prayed to God: ‘Please, Father, save me from the terrible suffering
lying ahead of me. But, above all, I want you to do whatever pleases you,
and not what I wish for.’
He returned to his sleeping friends. He woke them up twice, but when he
began praying again, they went off to sleep. Jesus then said: ‘Wake up now!
Look! My betrayer has come.’ His disciples rubbed their weary eyes, and
saw the lights of many lanterns coming their way. Leading the way was
Judas! ‘Master,’ he said and hugged Jesus, and kissed him. This was the
signal for the armed guards behind him, who rushed and seized Jesus.
Angrily, Peter cut off the ear of one of the royal priest’s servant, but Jesus
touched it and restored his ear. His disciples were terrified and confused.
Their master himself was allowing them to take him prisoner! Unable to
bear the sight, they fled.
94. THE JEWISH COUNCIL AND THE ROMAN
GOVERNOR
The Jewish Council questioned Jesus all night long. None of the witnesses
could prove anything against Jesus. Finally, Capiaphas, the high priest
asked Jesus: ‘Speak on oath. Are you the Messiah, the Son of God?’
Jesus replied: ‘I am.’
‘That settles the matter,’ said the high priest. ‘The prisoner claims to be
divine, and deserves to die according to our law.’
But the death sentence could only be passed by Pilate, the Roman
Governor, whom they would have to convince of Jesus’s crimes. Jesus was
handed over to the cruel guards, who ill-treated him. Early in the morning
they took Jesus in chains, to Pilate. He questioned Jesus but found him to be
innocent. Meanwhile, a mob led by the priests and leaders was chanting:
‘Crucify! Crucify!’
Pilate said: ‘I’ll set free another prisoner as part of the Passover
celebrations. Let me set Jesus free.’ The crowds wanted Barabbas to be set
free, who was in prison for murder. Pilate was at his wits’ end. If a riot
broke out, he would lose his job. So, he ordered the crucifixion of Jesus.
95. WHEN PETER DENIED KNOWING JESUS THRICE
When Jesus was being taken by the guards, Peter and John recovered from
their shock. They followed to see where Jesus was being taken.
John knew some of Caiaphas’s household members well and walked in. But
the servant girl had seen Peter with Jesus, and asked if he was Jesus’s
disciple. Peter denied knowing him! A man, standing nearby, said the same
thing, but Peter again denied it. A group of servants were whispering in a
corner of the courtyard. One said: ‘Though he may deny it, he is a disciple
of the prisoner.’ At this, Peter lost his temper, and again said: ‘I tell you, I
don’t know him.’
As he said so, a rooster crowed! Peter remembered that Jesus had said that
he would thrice deny knowing him before the dawn. He looked at Jesus,
who was facing his enemies alone. Jesus looked at him with compassion.
Horrified at himself, Peter began crying bitterly and rushed out of the
courtyard.
96. THE CROWN OF THORNS AND THE CRUCIFIXION
Pilate ordered his soldiers to whip Jesus, hoping this would satiate his
enemies and save his life. The soldiers dressed him in a purple robe, and
rammed down a crown made of sharp thorn twigs on his head. They knelt to
him in mock homage, and spat on him. Then, removing his purple robe,
they put his clothes back on him. A mocking crowd, including religious
leaders, followed Jesus. But some of his followers, mostly women, also
went, weeping for him. Prisoners had to carry a rough, wooden cross-bar on
which they were executed. Jesus was too weak, so Simon of Cyrene was
ordered to carry Jesus’s beam.
Three prisoners were to be executed that day, with Jesus in the centre. Pilate
had a sign put on the cross above Jesus, which said: ‘Jesus of Nazareth, The
King of the Jews.’ Jesus looked at the soldiers who had hung him on the
cross, and prayed: ‘Forgive them, Father, they know not what they are
doing.’
Jesus told John: ‘Look after my mother,’ and John nodded. As Mary stood
there, shedding bitter tears, Jesus told her: ‘John will be a son to you, now.’
At noon that Friday, darkness fell for three hours. For nearly six hours Jesus
suffered at the cross, carrying the weight of the entire world’s sins. At three
o’clock, he gave up his earthly life, saying: ‘Finished!’
97. THE BURIAL
Joseph, a wealthy citizen of Arimathea, was a member of the Jewish
Council, requested Pilate to let him give Jesus a proper burial. Another
secret believer, Nicodemus, a Pharisee, helped Joseph. They gently washed
the body, and wrapped it in clothes meant for the grave. It was evening
when they laid his body in Joseph’s garden tomb. Some women had gone
along to see where they were going to bury Jesus. Worn out with sorrow
and weeping, they now left.
The next day was the Sabbath. His friends and followers were heartbroken.
The women decided to anoint his body with sweet-smelling spices after the
Sabbath. Mary Magdalene couldn’t sleep that night; neither could several
others. So these women went to the garden at night. To their horror, they
found that someone had moved the stone blocking the mouth of the cave.
They ran to tell Peter and John. John reached first. He found the body had
gone, and the linen wrappings kept tidily on the rock shelf. Suddenly, he
understood: Jesus was alive! Hearing Peter’s steps, John stood aside. Peter
saw the grave cloths, but was perplexed. A bit later, John and Peter went
away.
98. THE RESURRECTION
When the others had gone after seeing the empty tomb, Mary Magdalene
stayed back, weeping silently as she gazed at it. Two angels, glowing with
heavenly light, were sitting where Jesus’s body had lain. They asked: ‘Why
are you crying?’
Mary sensed someone was behind her, and turned a little, thinking he was a
gardener and maybe he could help. The stranger also asked: ‘Why are you
crying?’ ‘Because my Lord’s body is missing,’ she cried out, and asked:
‘Sir, have you moved it?’
‘Mary!’ said the stranger. She spun around at the familiar voice. It was
Jesus!
He told her: ‘Tell my disciples that I have risen, and am on my way to meet
my Father, who is their Father as well.’
Mary ran out joyfully into the morning sunshine. Bursting in on his group
of sorrowing disciples, she exclaimed: ‘He is alive!’
99. JESUS SEEN AGAIN
That Sunday, two friends of Jesus, Cleopas and his wife, were walking back
despondently from Jerusalem for Emmaus. A stranger drew closer and
asked them: ‘Why are you so miserable?’ Cleopas replied. ‘Jesus, our
Master, has been crucified. Our hopes of a Messiah lie dashed to pieces!’
The stranger reminded them of what the prophets had said in the Old
Testament about the Messiah, that he would die for the sins of others, to
bring them forgiveness from God. Soon they were at Cleopas’ home, and
invited the stranger for supper. He took the bread, thanked God, and shared
it between them. This what Jesus used to do! They turned to look at him,
but he had gone.
The husband and wife rushed back to Jerusalem with the glad tidings, but
his disciples already knew and excitedly said: ‘Jesus has risen!’ One of his
disciples, Thomas, didn’t believe that Jesus was alive! The next Sunday, all
the disciples were together, when Jesus came to them. He said: ‘Peace be to
all of you.’ Looking at Thomas, he said: ‘You may touch the nail-marks and
feel the gash made by the spear.’ Thomas felt happy and ashamed, and said:
‘You are my Lord and God!’
Once, some of his disciples had gone fishing with Peter, at Lake Galilee,
but were unable to catch a single fish. At dawn, a man from the shore called
out, telling them to throw their net over to their boat’s right side. They did
as he said, and their net overflew with fish. ‘It’s Jesus!’ exclaimed John. At
once, Peter jumped over the boat and rushed to him. Jesus was already
cooking a meal for them on the shore, and they all ate together. Later, Jesus
took Peter for a short walk, and told him: ‘I have work for you. When I’m
gone, take care of my sheep, those who follow me.’
100. THE ASCENSION
For 40 days after his resurrection, Jesus appeared many times to his
disciples and friends. They knew he was not a ghost, for they could touch
him, and he shared meals with them.
During that period, he helped his disciples to understand the scriptures and
what the Old Testament had said about a Messiah dying, and then rising
again, for his people.
As Jesus stood one day, talking to his disciples on the slopes of the Mount
of Olives, they asked him if the day had come for him to be crowned king.
He replied: ‘God will decide, but I’m returning to my Father. You won’t see
me now, but I have work for you to do. You are my first witnesses, first in
Jerusalem, and then in the entire world. Teach others to follow me, and
baptise them. I shall be with you through my Holy Spirit, which will come
to you in Jerusalem.’
Then, Jesus held up his hands in a blessing, and the next instant, was taken
away from them. They watched him go, till a shining cloud hid him from
their sight.
101. THE HOLY SPIRIT COMETH
In Jerusalem, the disciples continued to meet and pray together, waiting for
the Holy Spirit. It was a Sunday when the festival of Pentecost, a harvest
thanksgiving was being celebrated by the Jews seven weeks after the
Passover.
Early that day, a great rush of a stormy wind filled the whole house in
which the disciples had gathered. Suddenly, separate tongues of flame
settled on each one of them! They felt the warmth and love of Jesus, and
knew that his Holy Spirit had come to live in them forever! And they began
to speak in other tongues!
Hearing these sounds, a large crowd gathered outside. When the disciples
came out praising God for this wonderful gift, some people thought they
had taken too much wine! Peter told them: ‘We’re not drunk; it’s only nine
in the morning! Jesus was handed over to you by God, whom you crucified
with wicked men. But Jesus has been raised from the dead to life by God,
and has now poured his Holy Spirit in us. And God has made Jesus both
Lord and Messiah!’ People felt ashamed and asked what they should do.
Peter told them to turn away from sin, and get baptised to gain God’s
forgiveness. Close to three thousand were baptised that very day. Jesus’s
followers lived in friendship, sharing their meals, helping others, and
praying together. And the disciples performed many miracles from time to
time.