Story Time with Jesus
Bible Stories
Chapters 126-137

126-Jesus and the Children
127-Generous Gifts
128-Important Things
129-Marvellous Moments on a Mountain
130-Hosanna
131-Love and Humility
132-In Remembrance of Him
133-Jesus’ Gift of Love and Life
134-Jesus is Risen—He Lives Forever!
135-Walking and Talking
136-Breakfast on the Beach
137-Clouds

(Jesus speaking: )
 Jesus and the Children
During a hot and tiring day, answering questions, healing, instructing and giving God’s love, encouragement and Words to many many people, I looked up to see something that I nor others have ever forgotten. It was a beautiful sight as mothers with their little children were coming to see Me, to talk with Me, and to get prayer. These mothers had been through a lot. 
I saw many children in my lifetime on Earth. Some of these children didn’t have an earthly father any longer, some had had a brother or sister pass away through sickness or an accident. Some were very poor, and seldom had enough to eat. Others were from more well-to-do homes and families, but hadn’t known what God’s love was really like. Their life was just a bunch of rules and strict discipline, without much joy or encouragement. Others were crippled in some way, and didn’t seem to have much hope for a happy life in the future. Things looked pretty bleak. 
Some children were ridiculed and made fun of by others due to their personal looks, outward appearance, or strain of religious views and practices. Other children I met along the way in My travels seemed to be happy on the outside, but in their heart they so longed to have someone who really loved and accepted them for how God had made them. 
I could see inside of people’s hearts and minds, and I knew what they were thinking and feeling—this included the children. Sometimes I would just feel my heart crying for them. I so wanted each one of them to feel as loved as My Father wanted them to feel, and to know how much I loved them too, and wanted to be their Heavenly Father, their friend, their big Brother—whatever they most needed in their life. 
One hot day as I was busy with the many who needed My Words, and needed to receive My healing touch, there was a team of mothers and children coming to see Me—just to have their children held in My arms, and to have Me pray for them and bless them. 
It wasn’t an easy thing to do, to get past all those other people, and it was even harder for some to come, while holding their tiny baby in their arms as well as help their other children make it safely over to Me. When they had nearly reached Me, as tired and weary as they were, something else tried to stop them. 
There was then an opportunity to give more instruction and training in God’s ways to My disciples. They were trying to keep away some of the many people, so I wouldn’t be pressured too much, unable to even talk or help anyone. Then this team of mothers and children were also told to stay away, and not crowd around.  I wanted to teach a special lesson to all. And people throughout the many years since then have learned from it.
Children are special. They need special love and extra care. Most of all I wanted them to know that I, Jesus, will never, ever be too busy to help a child that needs Me. I will never send any away. I will always open my arms wide and welcome each and every one of them.
My heart broke and ached as I saw the looks and feelings in the hearts of the little ones who were being turned away from coming to Me. It upset Me, and I quickly spoke, so all standing there could hear. “Allow the children come to Me! Do not forbid them!” 
I was the solution to all their troubles. It wasn’t going to be in getting new toys, or being the richest, or even in having perfectly good health and strength. In coming to Me, to be reassured of My love, this is what would most help them through the difficulties they faced—and there were many. It was a tough life in many ways. And things aren’t easy for children these days either. 
Although in most places there are some modern inventions that help to make some things easier, and shops that hold more food, not everyone has things like this available. Even in the most well-to-do family, each child faces things that are extremely difficult for them—especially those whose family does not love Me and know about Me. 
I would like to say to each child on Earth, “Come to Me”. My arms are and will always be open to you. You can tell Me whatever you are feeling and thinking. I can understand even the hardest questions that you have. I know just how to make things right again for you—and I will, one of these days. 
I didn’t make things all perfect for those children then. They still had their difficulties to face and struggles to endure and sickness and hard times, just like you face troubles today. But because they had come to Me, and I was able to encourage and pray for them, and show them how special they were to Me and to My Heavenly Father, and how much I loved them, it made things so much better. 
Did every child on earth then get to see Me and sit with Me and get a story, or get a personal healing touch? No. But today you can, as I am in My true form. I am no longer as man on Earth that can only be in one place at one time, seen by only a certain amount of people. Today, right now, I am and can be everywhere, all at once. Is this too hard to imagine? I can be sitting with you right now, while at the same time with a friend you care about, helping them too! 
Just like the air is all around you, and every one can breathe it in, so am I able to be with each one. I give the breath of life. God’s Spirit can be all around you. You can always “come to Me”.  Just talk to Me. I’ll hear, and I am able to make things better for you. I can understand each thing you feel and need. 
Even if things have to remain imperfect for the time being, I can make things easier for you to handle them, and even help you to be able to help others. I can give you ideas, faith, supply your needs, restore your joy, and heal you.  I’ll comfort you in whatever ways I can. Then, when the time is right, I’ll make things all nice again. I’ll take away the things that hurt you and others down on Earth. I’ll wipe away your tears. I’ll give you fun times like you’ve only imagined, and more than you thought possible.
There’s a lot I can do to make things better for you now, if you come to Me, talk to Me, pray and ask for My help. Then later on, when it’s time to take you to Heaven, you’ll have so much love and thrilling times, it will help you even forget about the troubles you are having now. 
One time when I was talking to others about Heaven and the Kingdom of God, some people were wondering what kind of people would be well-thought of, or the most important people to God. They asked Me, “Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
I wanted to give a clear example of what people should be like, and I also wanted to give a chance for people to take note of and appreciate, admire and love the ones who I thought were so wonderful—the children. I wanted the men to stop thinking about how to be rich and powerful, famous and proud. Those things were far from the way God wants people to be and what they should strive for. I looked around for the best example. I found a small child, cute and happy. His mother let her little one come and be the “show and tell” example. 
Before I answered their question I placed this happy little one in front of Me, for all around to see. “Here is an example of a truly great person.” That was very surprising for the people around Me. They thought you could only become great when you were older. However, the truth is that sadly, as people got older and more acquainted and familiar with the ways of the world, the less they would act in the ways of Heaven. It was easy to think that “famous” meant “important” and that “able to do a lot of things” meant “God is happy with you”, or that “skilled and talented” meant “you are admired by God”. But it’s not so.
A child was all these things: Important to Me, made Me happy, and was admired by Me, the Lord. Those were just the things the people wanted to be. So why did children hold a special greatness about them? If a child loves God and others, is simple and believing, trusting and having faith, encouraging and kind to people, has joy and shows it to those around, aren’t these just the kind of things God would like people to be like in His new and Heavenly kingdom? 
Can you imagine if everyone on earth, all of a sudden, was to become a bit more like these traits? How different things would be. The world would be a much happier place. Heaven isn’t going to be made of people who are just rich now, or famous, or powerful, or the leaders, or the smartest ones, or those who have made the most machines and inventions, or can do the most tricks. 
Who do you really like to have as a friend, anyway? If you could choose between someone who had faith in you and believed you could do things, and encouraged you, and spoke words of encouragement to you, and liked to be around you, and made you feel needed in their life—or someone who others said were “important” but they acted so proud of themselves they hardly even noticed you, who would you choose?
I made it clear to those around that day, that those who enter Heaven and gain rewards would be those who were just those things: Had faith and believed in Me, who praised Me, who spent time with Me, and who weren’t thinking they were so good but needed God’s help. I explained that to get into Heaven you need to be humble and love God—just like a child is with a parent. If you accept God as your Heavenly Father, and become His child through believing in My gift of salvation and have humility to ask for forgiveness, then you’ll be an important citizen of God’s Heavenly Kingdom.
Little children can be wonderful examples of the qualities that God most wants people to have. I love children! I love you! You are great! 
*** 
Generous Gifts
The best gifts given to Me are those that come from your heart, in your desire to please Me and do things that you think will make Me glad. Here are two examples of gifts that were given when I was on Earth.
	A certain man, who had all that he needed, wanted to have Me and My disciples over for dinner. He prepared a great meal and had everything set just right. He’s not the one that gave the most precious gift that day, however. Just making a fancy meal and inviting an important person to your house isn’t the kind of gift that comes from the heart. Some people wanted Me to come to their house, but not all of them had real love and humility. This man was pretty sure I would like to be there because he was also thought of as an important man. He had what he needed, and people said good things about him.
	When I entered his house there wasn’t a real warm and friendly atmosphere. He wasn’t eager to hear about God and about Heaven, but wanted to see Me up close and judge if he thought I was actually the Messiah and sent from My Heavenly Father. He was watching Me, and seeing what I would do or say. He wasn’t too sure he believed, and he was pretty proud. 
	The normal custom of washing the guests’ feet didn’t happen. We weren’t greeted with a kind and welcoming hug. Instead, it was very formal. Then as we were eating, a very precious gift was given to me—by an unexpected guest.
	A woman, named Mary, entered the room where we were all seated and eating, carrying something very costly and treasured in her hands. She came humbly over to Me, with tears running down her cheeks. The woman knelt down and washed My feet with the many tears she was crying, kissing My feet, and drying them with her hair. Mary then opened the special box—an alabaster box—that she was carrying. In it was a very precious and sweet smelling perfume oil, and she poured it on Me.
The oil was rare and costly. It was something people could save for years, as it was in special jar that was tightly closed up. To use it meant you had to break it open. It was a very special gift to be given. Mary chose to give it to Me to show her love. She knew I could forgive her for all that she had done wrong. She had seen the love in My eyes, she had heard the love and truth in My words, she had seen and heard of the many miracles that I had done to show love, and she knew that I held God’s gift of love for her—forgiveness and the way to Heaven, and to live eternally.
	This humble woman wanted to have a new start to life, a change, and to have My love in her heart. She wanted so much to be close to Me and show Me her great love, that she didn’t even care what the other people thought who were sitting around. 
	Simon, the man who invited me to dine, noticed her, and criticized what she was doing, and the fact that I let her be there, giving Me her gift. Some thought she was too sinful to be in there, as they felt they’d kept all the rules better than she had—not realizing that love is the most important of all. Others thought she was just being wasteful, and instead of giving it to Jesus, they thought it should have been sold and the money given to the poor. 
	I knew what each one was feeling and thinking. I answered each one. I said to Simon that the reason I came to Earth wasn’t to just sit around making fancy and good people feel better. I came to help those in need, to show God’s love and way to those who hadn’t gone the right way and needed My help and love and forgiveness to get them back into a close relationship with Us. Just like those who are sick are the ones that need healing—it was people like this woman, who knew she needed to change, that I was there to help and encourage. 
I mentioned also, that she had demonstrated far more love than even he, Simon, had shown Me. She washed My feet—with tears, and gave the best kind of oil, far more precious than was used back then for everyday life, for cleaning and as a type of lotion. He didn’t give an embrace, but she hadn’t stopped kissing My feet for the whole time she was there. That’s a lot of love. I saw past what everyone else just saw, and realized the heart, and said love was the most important.
I told those who said that the poor should have gotten the gift instead, that there would always be a chance to help people; there were always those in need. However, I wasn’t going to be there for too much longer. It was nearly My time to go to back to My Father in Heaven. It was good that she gave her gift of love to Me while she had the chance. 
I looked at the woman and forgave her, sending her away so happy, knowing that she was loved and forgiven and part of God’s family. Besides My gift of forgiveness to her, I had a special way I wanted to thank her for showing Me so much love—and showing Me that I was worthy of giving her most expensive and special things to. I promised that when the stories about Me were told around the world of My life on Earth, that the story of her gift and love would be told as well. 
There were so very many people that I met and talked with in My time on Earth. In the Bible are some of the stories and accounts, but only a very small percent compared to the many I talked with and healed. There are many, many that you have never heard about, but perhaps can one day. However, the story of Mary and her gift of perfume oil is told around the world. Millions and millions have heard about her. Why? I wanted her to be set as an example to others, to show what I most appreciate: your love, the gifts of love from your heart, the ways you show Me that I am the most important to you, and also to demonstrate My great love and forgiveness to all, no matter who they are, or what they have done. 
My love is for all, and My gift of salvation and forgiveness is for anyone who asks Me for it. I don’t only like and want to be around those who are always right and do everything perfect. If you love Me and want My love and forgiveness, My arms and heart are open to you. The gift of the love from your heart is the most precious thing you could give Me.
There was another time when someone gave a special gift to God. A very poor women, who loved God and tried to do what she felt in her heart was right, so much wanted to be able to give a gift to God—like most others were able to do. People would bring their gifts and offerings to the temple to help others in need, or to help with the work on the temple, or to help the priests. She did all she could to save as much as she could, so that on the day she went to the temple, she too could have something to share. 
Some people gave money, others gave food or animals even. She was too poor to have much of anything. All she had in all her house at that time to spare was two little tiny coins, worth hardly anything. She took those two coins with her to the place where others were placing large sums of riches as their gift. Compared to them, her coins were nearly worth nothing. She didn’t make a big deal about it, like many others were doing, making sure plenty of people saw how much they were giving, so they’d be thought of as a great person. Though she slipped quietly there, dropped in her two tiny coins and then walked away, I saw it. I then said something surprising. “She just gave the most of everyone here!”
Imagine the puzzled looks on people’s faces. Then I explained—because I knew things that others didn’t know. “She gave all that she had. Others gave lots, but still had even more than that left over for themselves and their families. She doesn’t have anything else. That woman gave everything she had to God.” She also was honored and made a good example of. Whoever reads the Bible hears about her. And do you think she went away without getting what she needed? When you love Me and share all that you can, you become a close friend to Me, and like a loving Father, God makes sure you have all that you need. 
Those two coins she shared weren’t the only ones she ever gave. She often tried to give, not just money, but in many ways to others. She lived and demonstrated her belief in God and in His Word by doing what she knew was pleasing to Him. When you give love, it comes back to you. It’s a supernatural, amazing thing that occurs, when I do some amazing things for you, in return, when you give and share because of your love for Me, and in obedience to Me.
It’s not that I needs money, and wants to take things away from you. In fact I am is more eager to give to you, than you are to receive nice things! When you give to others, giving to those I wants you to, it shows you have faith and love. Those are two very important things to have. You have faith that I will take care of you—and that makes Me want to do just that! I then takes care of you better than you could have, if you had kept everything to yourself. You show love for Me, as well as for others, and that is what I am all about—love. 
Great rewards will be given to those who have shown love while on Earth. Aren’t those two qualities what makes friendships strong?—Love and trust? Be My friend, and demonstrate those qualities by sharing and giving to those I want you to.—In your house today, when you go out, when you are young, when you are grown, when you travel. Just look for opportunities to give and share—and you will see all that you gave away coming back to you many times over, in wonderful ways.
It’s easy to criticize the way people express their love to Me, the Lord, if it’s not just the way you think it should be done—such as with the perfume or the coins. It’s easy, and the human thing to do to just look at what people are doing or what they look like. Our loving Father, however, sees the heart, and appreciates and rewards those gifts that come from the heart, out of true love for Him. 
If you see someone praising or worshiping Me, or serving Me and telling others about Me, Jesus, in a new way that you have never thought of before, instead of thinking it’s wrong or odd, and a bit too different, stop and think for a moment. Is there a way you can show your praise and love, from your heart, that will really please Me? Are you giving what you can to help others come to know about salvation? 
That’s all that really matters—if your heart loves Me, and you show it to Me in all the ways you can, and serve and follow Me as best as you, personally, can. The world and all that is in it will eventually pass away and change, but the God who made you and made each one in it will still be around. Make God happy most of all, and “Great will be your reward in Heaven.” 
***
Important Things
It was the custom to be very welcoming to guests, as well as for the women to prepare the food and serve. A family that I was always welcome to visit were some good friends of Mine in a place called “Bethany.” They were always very eager to hear My words, to talk with Me, and loved the times I could visit.
	My main reason for visiting was to talk with them, to answer their questions and to get to know them better too. Through My times of individual ministering and communicating I got to know what people felt, what made them sad, what was special, what was difficult, what it was like to live on Earth. I also had special insight into people’s hearts and minds, so I didn’t only have to learn from talking. I could look at someone and instantly know what their heart was feeling.
	One time as I was visiting this family of two sisters and a brother—Mary, Martha and Lazarus—Martha wanted to show her love and care for Me and My disciples by trying to make things as nice as she could. There was water to draw from the well, food to prepare and serve, hands and feet to be washed, coats to set aside, and so forth.
	Her sister Mary got so enthralled and interested in talking with Me and hearing all that I had to say she simply sat down and listened, drinking in all that I was saying. I really wasn’t there for any other reason—besides friendship. I was there to spend time with them and to talk with them. I wasn’t there to just get fed and cared for and have people wait on Me like waiters and waitresses in a restaurant. 
	Finally, flustered and upset, with all that there was to do to make things as nice and hospitable as possible, and being the only one left to do it all, Martha begged Me to tell her sister Mary to do her job. She was meant to be helping, or so Martha thought. That was the custom, and when you have guests, of course you are to make them comfortable and cared for. It was true. However, I wasn’t just any guest, was I? And I wasn’t going to be on Earth in human form, for too much longer. 
	This was a time when it would have been best to forget the work for a while, and just sit and enjoy being with Me. Mary was doing that, and I wished for her sister to join us. So rather than telling Mary to get up and get working and serving, I told Martha that this was the best thing she could be doing. If Martha were to come and sit with Me and listen to My words, this would have been the best thing she could do. I really didn’t mind not having everything perfect for Me—but I did really want to talk with them, to encourage them, to tell them about Heaven, and about My and My Father’s great love for them. They had so many questions, and things were pretty tough on Earth. 
	It’s not enough to do nice things for God, just like it wasn’t enough to just do nice things for Me while I was on Earth. I want your time, your love, your mind, your heart. When I was asked by people what was the greatest rule to obey, I would say, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment.” (Matthew 22:37,38) And loving others is the second most important thing. 
So, Mary choosing to spend that time with Me, to hear what I had to say, was doing the best. It was taking time to love Me with her heart and mind and soul. There will always be plenty of work to do, and lots of people to help, and there will never be enough time to do it all. Taking time to talk with Me and hear My words will be like getting your car filled with fuel, or eating a nice meal, it will energize you to then be able to do the work, the jobs, and to help others in the best ways. 
There are always going to be choices to make—every day, every minute of your life. Will you choose to spend at least a little while talking and listening to Me today? It will make Me so happy, and will be like water to the garden of your life. Good things will come from it. You will be like a tree that has been well watered and can bear lots of yummy fruit. 
*** 
Marvellous Moments on a Mountain
I wanted to do something special for those who were the closest to Me, and who I knew would need lots of faith-building experiences, to be able to be strong witnesses for Me. I wasn’t going to be with them, as an Earthly human, for very much longer. We needed some time away to talk and pray and rest and be refreshed. We needed to be alone from the many multitudes for a bit, and so we hiked up mountain.
Have you ever seen snow? It’s about the whitest thing known to people on Earth. Often there are pictures of Me drawn wearing white clothes. However, clothes on Earth were rarely made of pure white cloth, or rarely could stay white for very long, but soon became dusty and dirty. 
There was one time where I appeared very differently, from the normal human way I usually looked. The Bible says I was “transfigured”. During this time away on the mountain with Peter, James and John, something that really amazed them occurred. I was lit up with the light and radiance of Heaven. My clothes looked whiter than snow, and My appearance was bright, shining and radiant. They saw Me also talking with two men—Moses and Elijah. Both were visitors from Heaven.
The disciples were very glad to have seen such a special display, that not everyone got to see yet. It gave them more faith and reassurance in Me, as God’s Son, as the Messiah come from God to Earth—something they were going to need in the years that followed, where I was taken from them, and it was going to be their turn to go and teach and preach the Good News that I had come to bring.
Peter got all excited about seeing such Heavenly splendour, and he suggested that they build some “tabernacles” or places of worship, right there on the mountain, to remember and honour that wonderful event, and the important Heavenly visitors as well. God however had a something to say. There was a different reason for them being allowed to see the supernatural vision that they did.
A mysterious cloud came over the area where they were all sitting and watching in amazement as I was there with Moses and Elijah, appearing more brilliant and glowing than they’d ever seen before. A booming voice then came from this cloud, and the disciples fell on their faces, very afraid. It was My Father in Heaven speaking to them. “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.”
God was announcing what was truly important, and the whole reason they were allowed to see Me in a more Heavenly appearance. He was proving to them that I was the Son of God, loved by Him, doing His will. And the most important thing they could do to truly honour Me, was not to make a monument, or tabernacle, or place of worship in this special location—but simply to listen to My Words, God’s Words that I came to tell them. They were to pay close attention to anything I said. I can pass on the thoughts and feelings and messages from God, the Father, to you. I’m the way He can talk to you. I’m His message delivery service—the “Word of God made flesh”, as John later wrote in his book. (John 1:14)
They wouldn’t have to be here on this mountain to do it, nor do you have to be anywhere special to read and listen to My words. It can be done anywhere and anytime—and it should be. As king David said, he liked to think about, or meditate on God’s Words day and night. (Psalms 1:2; 119:148)
Peter learned from this experience and message from God about listening to My words, and wrote about it in his book too. He said that hearing My words—the words God wants to pass on to you—through prophecy, through the words and thoughts coming into your heart and mind directly from Heaven—is  like having a light to make your way clear in the darkness. It’s better even than just hearing the booming voice of God out of a cloud, like they did. He said to “take heed” to the voice of God, through the messages that I, Jesus, will pass on to you, through prophecy, if you want to do well. It will make things go so much better for you. (2 Peter 1:16b-19)
***
Hosanna
Do you like parties, and parades and celebrations? Well, there was one big and noisy praise party going on, one weekend, when it was nearly My time to leave—to die and to be resurrected alive forever. People had heard about some pretty amazing miracles—like when Lazarus was raised. News had spread quickly, and many people chose to believe that I was their Saviour, the Messiah, who had at last come. 
	“Go to the city, and you’ll find a donkey and colt tied. Please bring them to Me,” I instructed My disciples. “And if anyone asks what you are doing, tell them ‘the Lord needs it’, and they’ll let you use it.” The two disciples that I sent to do the job found out, that it happened just as I had told them. They returned to Me with the donkey and its colt, and placed some garments, or cloth and coats on its back to make it a more gentle ride. 
	This was to be the vehicle that I took to enter into Jerusalem at this special time. I didn’t have a limousine, or fancy convertible car, or even horse and carriage. It was a pretty humble way to travel, and slow too. Did you know, though, that this event had been spoken of by prophets many years before, telling that this would happen? So the time had at last come, and I was fulfilling those prophecies from long before.  
[Zechariah.9:9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.]
	There were countless messages given in prophecy about My time on Earth, and what would happen. God gave people clues when He spoke to the prophets of old, and it was written down for people to read and to know. This was one of the events that had been foretold. See, the most important thing to do with your own special life there on Earth isn’t what looks the most admired or praised, or comfortable, or fancy—but just what God wants you to do. Even if it’s as humble as riding on a young donkey!
I started My life on Earth in a very humble way, born in a stable to poor parents. And I was still doing humble things. I didn’t come to Earth to boost up My pride and inspire millions of fans to think I was great and that they weren’t as good as Me. I came to Earth to show love, to show that I knew what it was like to live on Earth, that I was relatable, within reach, that I was there to be a friend, and would serve and give—until I gave all I could, to bring you all eternal life.
	There were so many people who wanted to join in the parade. They shouted, they praised God, they yelled and cheered, the sang, and waved palm branches and placed them on the road for Me and My animal transportation to walk on. People even put their coats on the road to make it extra soft and fancy. Even having a donkey walk on their clothes seemed special to them—if I was the one riding on it! 
	I and the big team of followers at last reached Jerusalem. Some people there were excited and wanted to join in the fun and shout along with the children and others, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Hosanna in the highest!”  There were some however, who weren’t all that thrilled about all the attention that I was getting. It just made them upset. They wanted things to just be calm and under their control, and they didn’t believe—or didn’t want to believe—that I was their Saviour. 
It would have been nicer, they thought, if I had been born in a king’s palace, and had taken over the ruling their country, stopping all who caused them problems. They would have liked to have Me only telling them good things about themselves, saying how wonderful they were, making them be held up as an example of greatness—even though they knew in their hearts they had made many wrong choices. They just wanted to be well thought of. 
That wasn’t God’s plan, however. I was to come to Earth in humility, be born poor, suffer difficulties, teach people about God and His love, and tell the truth to people, showing the way to Heaven.
 Those who tried to stop Me weren’t doing things right, as God wanted them to. Their hearts were filled with pride most of the time, and it was showing people the wrong way to be. I came to make things clear, giving a living example of what God is like, and how He loves everyone. I mingled with the poor, the sinners, those considered low in society. I talked with them to help bring them the light of God, to help them turn to Him. And many did! 
It was those who thought they were so right, that were actually getting it wrong. Doing things perfectly doesn’t make God love you more or make you get to Heaven faster. All have sinned, and all need His forgiveness, and the only way to get permission and forgiveness is to ask Him for it, and to receive Me, and believe in My gift of love and salvation for you. –The reason I came to Earth. 
	People came to be healed, and I healed them, and encouraged them. I told stories and parables to those asking Me questions. I was very busy that day helping and teaching. It was a loud and active day. There was so much commotion going on, that those in charge of the temple asked if I could make the people be quiet and stop all this celebrating and praising. But it was God’s will for it to happen, and I came to fulfil just that. I wouldn’t make anyone stop, since that’s what was meant to happen. 
It wasn’t just Me, as a person, that they were praising, but they were praising God for fulfilling His promise to bring Me, God’s gift of love, into the world. It was like a salvation celebration—shortly before I finished fulfilling the rest of the prophecies, and gave My life to bring eternal life to those who wanted to be with Me in Heaven forever.
***
Love and Humility
My last meal on Earth together with my twelve close disciples was held at the time of year when the “Passover” was kept. It was a time of year to remember God’s care and deliverance and protection when the Children of Israel were leaving Egypt long ago. 
We didn’t have a big home to live in, and were often traveling around. So we lived knowing My Heavenly Father’s day-by-day provision and supply. For the special meal together we needed to have a place that was quiet and cosy, but would fit us all; somewhere private in order to not be disturbed. We needed to spend quality time together, talking and praying, and enjoying each other’s company. It was to be My last meal together with them. This made it an important occasion. 
I told Peter and John to prepare things for the meal. “Where are we going to eat?” they asked. I answered, already knowing the place My Father had showed Me. “Go into the city and you’ll meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him to the house he’s going to. Then ask the master of the house where the guest chamber is, for us to eat our Passover meal together. He’ll then show you a large upper room, furnished.”  
This was the place Peter and John were to get set up and make things ready in. It happened just as I had said, and the room was prepared. We all sat down to eat and talk. It was a solemn occasion, and we talked about important things. 
For years I had been talking and instructing, demonstrating and setting an example for My disciples to follow. They were going to need to carry on the work of spreading the good news of Salvation to the whole world. It wasn’t going to be easy, and they needed to be off to a good start, and begin showing others how to truly follow in My ways. They needed to set the pace and be an example to the many who were going to believe in Me and follow Me, helping to also spread God’s Word. 
This was My chance to pass on some very important principles to them, for them to follow. They were to launch out in fulltime service—with the Holy Spirit to guide them, rather than them seeing Me in person. Did I sit there and say, “I am the King, and the most important…” in a proud way? No. not at all. But I did show them what the most important thing to do was.
I took on the role of a servant, and did what a servant did. I put my long coat aside, took a towel, and brought a bowl of water in my hands. Then I went to the disciples, one by one, and washed each of their feet. Feet were very dirty then, only having sandals to walk along the dusty and dirty roads, where animals travelled as well. This made feet be in great need of washing.
When I came to Peter he was quite surprised. He felt too humbled to have Me, the King of the universe, wash his dirty feet. But I said if he wanted to be part of My team, then he needed to be humble and let Me wash him. So he did. It took humility for Me to do the dirty job that no king would ever think of doing, and it took humility for them to allow Me to wash them. It proved that they weren’t perfect, they were soiled, and they needed Me to help them.
After I put my garments back on, and sat down I asked them if they knew what I was doing—why I had washed their feet. I was giving them the most important lesson to remember after I was gone. If they were to truly be great and to be like Me, and to set a Godly example, they were to serve one another, help each other, care for each other. I was saying that love and humility were the most important things to have, to be a true disciple and for them to all be successful in reaching the world with the message of My love and forgiveness. 
Being thought of as important wasn’t going to do any good, if they didn’t have love and treat each other with respect, making others feel more important than they. To be like Me you need to be humble and help others. Even being willing to do jobs you don’t like or are considered dirty. A servant just does what needs to be done. If you do that, and just obey Me today, doing what I want you to do, and are willing to help others out of love, treating them with kindness, then you will be truly great, and great rewards will be yours. 
If you go through the difficult times now, trying to follow Me and doing the things that aren’t easy, then you too will rule and reign with Me in the next life, when Heaven is in charge and God is obeyed as King of all. Don’t worry if you aren’t well thought of now by those who don’t know Me or don’t have Me in their heart. One day you’ll be treated as the truly important person you are—because you did the humble jobs, and gave love, and told others about Me, as I asked you to. 
***
In Remembrance of Him
During My last and special meal with My disciples, I showed them a simple skit or ceremony--something to help them remember My love and gift of salvation. It was something that they could do again and again, even when I wasn’t with them, visibly, in person. It would be their way of showing appreciation for My gift of love and life for all, and a way to bring unity and strength to them, as the team of disciples.
	I didn’t require them to do anything fancy or that took a lot of time. I just demonstrated something that was simple and easy to do, and didn’t take lots of money or anything else than what people often have on hand—a bit of food. On our table we had bread and wine. Those worked as a good object lesson. If you don’t have those on your table, you can choose something similar or just what is available to you. Just because you don’t have exactly what we had on hand, or if you can’t eat them for some reason, then that doesn’t mean you can’t remember Me and My salvation in this way. Everyone who loves and believes in Me can follow My example.
	I took a piece of bread and prayed, then broke it so that all there would get to have a bite of it. “This is like Me. I will go through some very difficult things, and give My life for you. Just like this bread is broken, so will I be hurt and give My life. But also, just like the whole loaf of bread is made up of lots of little pieces, so are you, all My disciples one whole team, as one with Me.” It can help remind you all that each one that believes in Me is part of this one big team—like the one loaf of bread. I want you to love one another and live and work in unity one with another.
	I gave healing to others, and I can give it to you, too, today. While you partake of the bread in this demonstration, or “communion” as some call it, you can claim and pray for My healing power to heal you also. Just like the loaf is whole, I can make you whole and healed, as you pray. I suffered for your sins, so you can claim forgiveness and healing as part of My gift of love to you. Sickness is often part of the consequence of sin, so through receiving forgiveness you can also be granted the right to healing.
	Of course you’ll never be completely healed of each and everything that troubles you on Earth, as that is what will happen when you receive your new body that will live forever. But I can give healing and relief to help you carry on and be My witnesses there on Earth.
	For the next part of the special salvation demonstration at that last supper with My close companions and fellow labourers, I then took some wine. You can use whatever drink you have available or is appropriate for you. After I blessed it and prayed, I passed it out, instructing each one to have a sip from the large cup of wine. “This is the New Testament” I said, the new beginning, the new commandments, the new life. Giving My life for your salvation was the end of the old way and the beginning of the new. The wine celebrates salvation, Heaven and all the joys that will be yours, and Mine. Rejoice and be glad for all that is to come, and thank Me for all that it cost Me to bring it to you through being willing to tell others about Me.
	I brought forgiveness to you, and I want you also to freely forgive others for the things they do that hurt or make you or those you love, sad. As you drink the wine, or whatever your drink is to remember Me by, you can pray for Me to forgive you for the things you have done wrong lately, things that have made Me and others sad. I gave forgiveness to all mankind through My gift of salvation, but it’s also good to regularly talk with Me and ask for Me to make things right in your heart, to clean your heart of sin. 
I didn’t take all sin out of the world or out of people’s hearts. Through My gift of love I made it possible for you be allowed to live forever. It’s good however to pray regularly for Me to forgive the things you have done, and to make your heart clean again. You are saved forever, once you ask Me to come into your heart and life. That gift of eternal life is yours, permanently. Making mistakes and sinning again won’t take away My gift to you. You will always be making mistakes and doing wrong things your whole life. That’s just human nature. And you can be assured that nothing you do will separated you from Me or from the gift of salvation that is yours. But I do say in My Word to “confess your faults…and pray for one another, that ye may be healed.” (James 5:16) 
So this time in prayer to humble yourself before Me, to admit that you’ve made mistakes, that you need Me and My forgiveness brings us closer together and helps you to have more of My spirit to give you the strength to try and do better, to live more like Me. And when you are sorry for what you have done, and I forgive you, I can help to take away some of the difficulties of the natural consequences of your failings. –Sickness, hurts, loss, disunity with others, and so forth.
It’s a good time to ask others to forgive you, as well as to forgive them for what they might have done that calls for your forgiveness. To hold on to the anger and hard feelings towards others soils your heart, and hinders you from feeling My full joy of salvation. I want you to be filled with the “joy of the Lord”. As you grant others forgiveness, and likewise receive Mine, then you can be like a cup that is filled to the full—you’ll be like it says in Psalm 23 “My cup runneth over.” You’ll be bubbling over with blessings, and My Spirit. 
After this time of commemorating My gift of salvation, and partaking of the bread and wine in this way, and talking together, it was time to leave the upper room. We weren’t going to stay the night there. We took a walk out to a garden, a pretty and quiet place where we often went. 
My disciples then settled for the night on the grass, under the stars. I chose a few to come with Me a bit away from the others. I needed some time in desperate prayer, alone. I was wishing that these few that I chose would be able to stay awake and pray as well, with Me not too far from them. It was the last bit of time with them, before I was to be taken from the world, in the way I had been with them so far. I needed the strength and support. But their eyes were just too tired. 
I felt alone, and poured out My heart in fervent prayer. When I thought about those who didn’t love and receive Me it made My heart hurt so much. I came to Earth to give love and forgiveness to each one—even those who chose not to believe and receive My love. I wanted everyone to know that I loved them. 
It would have been nice if I wouldn’t have to go through the hard time, as it made Me and My Father so sad. The sins of mankind however made Me need to take the punishment for everyone. That was the only way to grant each one life eternal and forgiveness for all.
	Then as I prayed for My Heavenly Father’s will to be done, for Me to do whatever was best, and to have the courage and strength to do it, a beautiful angel came to nourish Me and comfort Me. I was determined to finish the job that I came to Earth to do. I wouldn’t give up. I could have said, “That’s enough” and many, many angels could have come and taken Me back right then to Heaven. But then I would be lonely and even sadder. Because you, My dear children, and all people on Earth, wouldn’t be able to join Me. I could set out a party, but who would be the guests? I could have the best music playing, but who would there be to join in and dance? I could make the fanciest mansions, but who would live there for Me to visit? 
	I chose to forgive you, and to take on Me the punishment that separated you from living life eternally. That is what would truly make Me the happiest. When it was done, and I saw My Father again, He was crying, He was so so glad that I had showed His love in the greatest way possible. His heart of love isn’t happy and fulfilled unless it can show love to each one. He loves each one of His creations, each person alive on Earth this very second. No one goes unnoticed or unloved. I gave Him the biggest gift possible—to be able to love and be close to you, and all on Earth that chooses His way. I made a doorway for you all to come to Heaven. 
	My Father loves Me so much, and it was so hard for Him to see the pain that I had to go through in order to win you and give you salvation and eternal life. –The cost of sin, the consequences of mankind’s wrong doings. But it hurt His heart just as much to think of you not being with Him and being far away from Him, not able to know how much He loved you. 
My Father loves you just as much as Me, and wanted you to be His sons and daughters in Heaven too, as part of our big family. It was worth it to go through the pain, the sorrow, the heartache and the loneliness, because the joy that is ours in the end—the joy of having you, together with us forever, is worth it all. Your love in return is the best reward ever.
***
Jesus’ Gift of Love and Life
I want to tell you a story, a story of love, one that will warm your hearts and help to take away the tears your heart cries. I too, know what it means to feel separated from the friendship of others, to feel rejected, to feel all the good that you’ve tried to do didn’t work out as you so wished it would. I know what it is like to cry the whole night long, wishing that those you loved would understand how much you cared about them. I know what it feels like to give up the things that mean the most to you in the whole world. I know what it means to be hurt, to be wounded, to be harmed, and to be sad, really sad.
So I know what it means to be going through hard times, real troublesome times. I know what it’s like to have your closest friends leave your side, or have those you thought would be there to help you, to instead be making things really tough for you. I know what it feels like to hurt inside, to really ache, and to wish so much for all things to be at last peaceful and wonderful. 
There’s nothing that you’ve been through that I can’t understand what it feels like. There is so much wrong in this world, and although I came to Earth long ago and came to bring My love and truth to all, not everyone has taken My message in the right way. Some who say they know Me, instead have used their knowledge of My visit to Earth to exercise their power and authority over others, and to harm many. Then there are others who have never heard about Me or My gift of love and salvation, and lead many others down the wrong paths, thinking salvation and forgiveness or atonement for sin comes some other way, through something a human can do for themselves. 
There are so many that cause hurt because of pride or greed or anger or just plain foolishness, or not knowing the truth and being led by their own crazy or harmful ideas. So much of humanity is aching to know the real Me, the real Jesus, what I really stand for, what I really am, and what I came to offer to all those in the world.  
If you have had a difficult go of things, and are in need of healing, in body or mind or spirit—healing in anyway—come to Me. Talk with Me. Believe Me when I say I know what you are feeling, and I truly do care. I might not be able to make everything in your life be all of a sudden the perfect way you would like it to be in this instant, because the time for that will come a bit later on, when I’ll make things right for everyone at a last. 
I’m right here, closer to you than you’ve ever imagined, and will comfort you, encourage you, and shelter you through the many storms of life. I will be your protector and provide for you all throughout your life, in the ways I know will be best. 
All the difficult things that I experienced on Earth and what took place in My final days on Earth as a man, in human form, won’t be all said here and now. In time you’ll get to know more about what happened to Me as a result of some people’s lack of belief in Me, and their rejection of Me as their Saviour. Some of it is written in the full Bible, and other things you’ll get to know when you come here to be with Me in Heaven.
For now I want to tell you a parable, something that helps to describe to you why I came to Earth, and what I came to do for you. This story may help to give you  more of an idea, or help to explain it in a way I hope you’ll understand. Imagine this story as I tell it, and then let me describe things afterwards. I love you, My dear children. 

A rich, powerful and very kind father, had many children and he loved each one so very much. They lived in a big and beautiful palace. However, there was a problem. Some of His children had gone out where He told them not to go. There was a sign over a certain door that said, “Do not go this way or you will be lost and unable to find your way back again. This door cannot be come back through again, for this palace is only for those who live here and do what the father says to do. Those who go out into the wasteland will not be fit to be here with us. Your life will eventually end, and you will not live forever here with us anymore.”
The children, curious about what was out that door, went out it anyway. Then it became dark all around them and the way uncertain, and they got lost immediately, unable to return to their father’s house. Some had fallen down into ditches, and off steep edges, some were stranded in desert places without nourishment. Some were sure they knew the way back to their father’s house and got many others to follow them, but they were only going around in circles and tiring themselves out, getting nowhere near to home again. 
Some gave up trying to get home, and just decided to stay camped out in the rough jungle areas, though it was tough and many dangers were around them. Some tried to make themselves feel less lost and sad by telling themselves and others, that there wasn’t even a home they belonged to, that it was just a made-up idea, that there wasn’t anywhere they really belonged, and they had no father. That didn’t help them feel better, but seemed easier than to admit they were wrong and needed the father’s help. 
The father sent a very special messenger, with a map to give to each lost one he found. He was sent out to find each one that had wondered off and made the wrong choices. The message he came to bring was to let the children know that the father had decided to forgive his wayward children, and make a special door in his palace that those who had gone the wrong way, could have a chance to return again, if they chose to. The only way to that special door way was through believing what the messenger said from their father, and following the map and instructions that were given. 
Many were so glad at the chance to return, and were so happy to know that their father forgave them for being so naughty. They knew that their father loved them, when they heard he was giving them a second chance and a way to return. 
Some were too proud to accept the gift of the map and the offer of a way to return, that they instead grabbed the messenger, and said, “We know what we are doing. We don’t need you or anyone else telling us where to go. We can find our own way back. The father will let us come in to the palace when he sees us. We’re smart and will find our own way back, and we’re sure the doors will be opened to us again. We don’t need you to tell us what to do!”  
	They didn’t want him to continue on his journey either. The father knew what was happening, and rescued his special messenger. When those who weren’t accepting the words of the messenger, and who tried to put an end to his mission woke up the next morning, to their surprise the messenger was gone from them! He had been instantly taken back to the palace.
	“You’ve done well” the father told his messenger. “And because you have not only given my message to my lost children, but you suffered great difficulty from those who tried to stop you, you will be rewarded in many ways. You are given the permission to take down the old sign on the door that leads to the wrong paths. Rather than no one being allowed to return through it, it will have a new sign, one that says, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the father, but by me.” 
	“Because you have gone to the wastelands to give to others the way back to the palace, you can now be in charge of the doorway. Whoever you allow to come in, will be allowed in. You have left the map with many, if they make sure to tell others they meet about the way back, then they will all arrive here eventually.  Whoever you allow to come through the door can come back in.”
So it began to happen, one by one, or sometimes in groups, the once-lost children began to find their way home again. The father was so very glad to have them home once again. They would never be lost again. The old door to the wrong way had been transformed, and was a beautiful doorway, lit with the light that the father and the messenger shone with. Even from far away some people could see the light and it attracted them to come nearer, and they too were safely back again. 
After a while, the children of the palace, those who have found their way back and were given permission by the messenger to enter the father’s house again, will have a new and special job, helping their father to make all the surrounding country side a better and wonderful place to be. 
And what of those that chose to not listen, and didn’t want the messenger or the message being around them? Well, the door is open to them too, if and when they choose to put aside their pride, admit they were wrong and ask for forgiveness. If they tell the doorkeeper they are sorry, and they believe that he really was sent from their father, they will be allowed to come in as well.
Will all the children make it home again? If those who received the map and instructions from the messenger when he was there with them will pass it on to as many as they can, and those people will tell others, then eventually all will get a chance to know the way back. 

This story gives you an idea of why I came to Earth in the first place. Can you guess who each one in the story actually is? I’m sure you guessed that I, Jesus, am the messenger, and the father is God in Heaven. Through sin, those on Earth have lost their way and couldn’t be permitted to live on forever in Heaven. I came to Earth to show the way of Salvation, to bring forgiveness to all who believed in Me. 
Not everyone accepted what I had to say, and some tried to put an end to the message that I was trying to give, through stopping Me from being on Earth, as a human. But even that was part of the plan. Because I was special, God gave Me permission to take the punishment for each one who had gone astray, out of the door to sin, and I did that through giving my life on Earth. I took the consequence for leaving through the doorway to sin, for everyone. 
Now everyone would be allowed back in to God the Father’s house who believed that I took the punishment for sin, and who asked to be forgiven and allowed to come back in. I am the way now back to the Father’s house, back to Heaven. 
So though my final days on Earth were very difficult, I willingly went through all that, in order to gain you, as My friends. Through belief in Me you are now able to live forever with Me in Heaven—your punishment taken for you, and forgiveness granted. Since I love you so much, it was worth it to Me. I’ll be happy forever to have you as part of My Heavenly family.
***
Jesus is Risen—He Lives Forever!
“He’s alive!”  
“We saw angels!” 
“I saw Jesus!” 
These were some of the joyful words that a team of women were telling some very sad disciples. My close team of followers, and many many others, had seen Me die, and be buried in a rock tomb. A rich man called Joseph of Arimathaea had given his own tomb for Me to be placed in it. The women had gone to this place where I was buried, first thing in the morning, on the first day of the week. The women went to the place carrying special spices that were to be used when someone had passed away. 
“How are we going to roll away the stone?” they wondered. But they didn’t have to worry about that. Angels took care of it, and after rolling it away sat there, ready to talk and tell the women that I wouldn’t be found there. That was no place for Me, as I was alive! I had risen to life!
	The angels instructed the women to tell the others the great news! Joyfully they ran quickly to do just as the angels had said. They were so excited and happy. Such news was sure to cheer everyone up they thought. However, to My dismay, not everyone believed what the women had to say. If they had, it would have lifted their sorrow, and turned it into wonderful joy. 

Peter and John made a dash for it, running to go and check things out. If I was gone, and no longer in the place I was lain, then what was going on? If I was now alive and around, they were very eager to see Me. John was faster on his feet, and made it to place first, but Peter was braver and went right in to the tomb where I had been placed. John then followed. They found only the cloth pieces that had been wrapped on Me when I was placed there. But I was nowhere to be seen. Could it be true? Was I alive and around, or had I just been moved somewhere else?
I didn’t show up just yet, except to Mary Magdalene, who had been weeping so much. She’d looked into the stone tomb, and to her surprised found I was gone, and instead there were two angels there talking to her! When she turned around she spoke to the man who she saw nearby, thinking he was the gardener. He’d asked her why she was crying. “If you have taken away my Lord, please tell me where He is…” Mary said to this man beside her, still trying to understand or believe that I was alive and well! 
“Mary!”  I said to her. It wasn’t a gardener after all. It was Me who was standing right there, beside her. Mary was so very thrilled! I was there! She got to see Me again. Words could not describe how happy she was at that moment. She loved Me so much, and it had been the hardest thing for her to have Me gone for that time when I gave My life for the sins of all. 
I told her I would be back, but I needed to go and see My Father first. I had been away for a long time—while on My mission to Earth, and I even went to a place inside the Earth while My body lay in that stone grave. I went there to tell the good news to the souls of people who had long ago passed away, to see who would believe and be allowed to come to Heaven. Now it was time to go for a bit to see My Father in Heaven. But I would visit again, and all My disciples would get to see Me with their own eyes, real soon. 
Mary tried to tell My close friends and followers about her encounter with Me, but they didn’t really believe it was possible. I wanted them to be encouraged, and to have faith. This was hard for Me—to see them so sad, missing Me, thinking that I wouldn’t be there again—when I was alive and around and knew what they were doing and thinking and saying! Even though they couldn’t see Me just yet, I could see and hear them, and I knew what was going on. 
What great joy they had when at last I popped in for a surprise visit! I didn’t need to use the door. I could be anywhere, anytime I wanted to! I was alive, and would be forever. I live to give love. I gave My life for love. I want to live together with you, because I love you! I want to help you to know and to show My love to others.   
***
Walking and Talking
I like to surprise people, in good ways, to cheer them up. One of the first times that I appeared to some of My followers after rising again from the dead, was as a friend, or rather as a stranger, someone they didn’t know. I saw two of My followers—named Cleopas and Simon—walking down the road. They couldn’t see Me, and thought that I just wasn’t around. Little did they know that I knew where they were, and just what they were talking about. 
I chose to appear and talk with those two men—without them realizing that it was Me, Jesus. I decided to walk with them and join in their conversation—but in disguise at first. I wanted to hear them talk to Me from their heart, to express what they were feeling, and then I could comfort them with scriptures. 
	 I saw that the main reason for their sadness was their lack of belief. I told them I would rise again, and the scriptures and prophecies of old explained it too. But they needed a reminder. Sometimes when something real difficult happens, or you lose someone or something special to you, it’s easy to forget all the promises in God’s Word that would help to give you faith and courage. So they had forgotten about the promised good things, and were feeling pretty low. 
When you are real discouraged, you can be sure that I am there with you—even if you can’t see Me. I know what you feel and think, and I want to be a friend and to remind you of some important things that you have forgotten. I want to cheer you up and encourage you. 
So as we were talking they went to go have a meal, and invited Me along. Then I chose to surprise them and show them who it really was they were talking with. As I held the bread and blessed it and break it and gave it to them, all of a sudden they realized who I was! They were taken by surprise. It wasn’t what they expected at all—but it was so wonderful! I then vanished, leaving them to discuss this amazing encounter, and to run back and tell the others what had just happened. They couldn’t contain their joy, and just stay there the night. Those two men walked all the way back, and found the others together and told them the story. 
As they were talking about it and explaining it, then I chose to appear in the room for all to see Me. “Peace be unto you” I said. 
At first the disciples were afraid to all of a sudden see someone appear without coming through the door. But I told them to not worry, that it was Me, Jesus. And to help them relax even more and feel at ease, I asked them if they had any food there. Some fish and honeycomb was given to Me, and I ate it then for all to see. I was Jesus, just with a new Heavenly body, who could do some amazing things. 
One day you may get to do some of those things too. Would you like that? Would it be fun for you to get to appear in a room, just all of a sudden? Or be able to instantly vanish, and disappear from people’s sight? Or to be disguised and talk with people without them knowing it was you?—And still be able to eat and enjoy the things that you can do now? Well, there’s lots of fun things coming—after a while yet. Keep being faithful to Me, and doing as My disciples did, following Me and helping others to come to know Me as well, and even more amazing things than that will be possible to you. 
And if things get tough or difficult for you at times, also remember that I can see and hear and know all that is going on. Just like I knew right where everyone was gathered together, or right where those other two disciples were walking, I know right where you are, right this minute. Just because I don’t usually choose to appear on Earth in bodily form, and it takes more faith to believe when you can’t see Me yet, keep trusting and know that I am near to you, I am with You, and know all that you feel and think. One day you will get to see Me and talk with Me and hear Me talking with you, just like you’ve always wanted to. 
***
Breakfast on the Beach
Have you ever had something that was promised to you, but you had to wait for it? Perhaps you had tickets to a show, or a gift was promised for your birthday. Or maybe a relative or friend said they would visit later on in the year. When you knew it would happen, and were looking forward to it, that is having faith. It didn’t happen yet, but you were sure that it would, because you trusted the one who told you about it. 
	When I rose again, bringing salvation and forgiveness to all, not everyone saw Me at that very moment. I had lots to do, and many people to encourage, as well as My Father to visit, and a host of angels to meet with. There was something pretty exciting and big that we needed to prepare for. Do you know what it was? There was soon to be an explosion of “going into all the world and preaching the Gospel”.  I could see My beloved close followers, hear them, know their thoughts. I was focused on their needs, and helping to prepare things for the next part of their lives—bringing the news of My love all over the place.
Just because My disciples didn’t see Me right away, or every minute of every day after I came to life again, wasn’t because I was just off partying or forgetting about the world—or worse yet, that I wasn’t even alive at all, like some were starting to think. 
	Some started to worry, “He said He would rise on the third day, and it’s already the afternoon of the third day and we haven’t seen Him yet… maybe we never ever will…” Oh, dear! It made Me so sad to see the disciples doubting and in despair. 
Has that ever happened to you? You are looking forward to something special happening, and then it seems like it won’t work out, and you start to fret, thinking your hopes are lost—and then when you least expect it, did you see it worked out for good after all?
	When I appeared to Mary Magdalene in the garden, she believed and knew it was Me. But when she and the others tried to tell the good news of My resurrection to the other disciples, they didn’t believe it. They wanted to see proof of it right in front of their eyes. 
	Do you know why I loved and blessed Abraham so much? It was because of His faith to believe and obey, even though he never got to see, with his own eyes, most of the things I promised to Him. I loved the faith he showed anyway, by doing what I told him to do, and believing that all things would work out for good in the end.
	When I finally did appear to all the disciples and they got to see Me in front of them, they finally realized that it all was true. Thomas, My faithful disciple, wasn’t there at the time, and he had the same reaction that some of the others had too, at first. He wanted to see Me and know for sure that it was actually Me, standing there, alive and well, risen and resurrected, before he would believe. No matter what the others said to try to convince him, he felt he just had to have it by sight—rather than trusting and believing by faith alone. 
	It was about a week later when I chose to show Myself again, in front of them all—and this time Thomas was there. I not only surprised them by dropping by for a sudden visit, appearing to them, but the fact that I knew what they had said and talked about, and that I knew exactly what Thomas had said about needing proof to believe, was pretty unexpected. I talked to Thomas and them all about the benefits of believing and having faith in God, even without seeing big proofs of what God says is true, right before your eyes all the time.
	Having faith gives you joy, right? And having the opposite, having disbelief brings sorrow. When you know something that you like is going to happen, because someone you trust is telling the truth tells you about it, it’s exciting, it’s fun, it’s a thrill, it makes you happy. Sometimes even the feeling of looking forward to something can be nearly as fun as finally doing it. Faith is like that—it is a gift of My spirit, and brings forth the fruit and result of more joy in your heart. 
	As one of My believers and followers you need to have faith for a lot of things. Have you been to heaven yet, and seen your lovely place being prepared for you? Most probably not. You can, however, know in your heart that such a place exists, as I said, “I go to prepare a place for you.” If you believe, even though you haven’t seen it yet, it will give you more joy and inspiration as you anticipate what awaits you for faithfully believing on Me, and doing what I want you to do while on Earth. 
And a little secret—but you don’t have to keep it a secret: the more faith you have, the bigger will be your joy in the Heavenly life to come. So those who believe in Me—even though they have not seen Me, and those who ask Me to come into their heart and to be forgiven of their sins, even if they don’t see God coming to them and saying, “You are now My son or daughter”; and those who have faith to talk to Me and to pray, even if they don’t always see the answer to prayer right away, these people of faith please Me very much. –Just like Abraham and many many others did. 
	Seeing faith in the hearts of My followers makes Me so happy, as it means that you love Me, and I am able to do many wonderful things for you in return. Did you know that there were some places where I visited on Earth, but was unable to heal many people or do much good or show My miraculous power to help them—just because they didn’t believe in Me, and didn’t think it would happen? It was just their lack of faith that stopped God’s power from working in their lives. Sad, huh? Be a man or woman of faith, who knows I can and will do what needs to be done to protect and provide and to bring you at last to your Heavenly abode, to live with Me forever in paradise. 
	It was quite a change for My apostles to not have Me there with them all the time. It was their turn to reach the world with the message of My love. They needed all the help and encouragement they could get. One time during the weeks that followed My resurrection I chose to help supply their needs and encourage them in a way I knew they would really appreciate. 
	Peter and some others had gone fishing all night. They needed food and a way to get some support as well. They hadn’t yet blasted off to their fulltime ministry and witnessing, and finding out how, as they did, I would give them all they needed. So tired and spent from an all night fishing trip, cold and hungry they saw the sun rise. They felt so low, so discouraged, and didn’t know what they were supposed to do exactly. They needed encouragement and direction.
	I built a fire on the beach, and cooked some fish and bread for them. Then I called out to them, asking if they had caught any fish in the night. They hadn’t. I told them to cast the fishing net on the right side of the boat. Thankfully they were willing to try one more time and obey this instruction. As soon as they did, they were flabbergasted! The net was instantly filled with tons of fish! 
	John, My dear disciple, knew instantly that it was Me, and told Peter, who promptly jumped into the water to get to Me as fast as he could. The boat was close to the beach, as they had just returned from their trip out. They hauled in the load of fish, and though it was real heavy, for some mysterious reason the net didn’t break. That was another miracle for them, and showed My love and thoughtfulness.
	I invited them to eat together with Me, while I talked to them more about their new ministry. To Peter I asked, “Do you love Me?” Of course he did. I told him then that if He did, to “feed My sheep” and to “feed My lambs”. I said it three times. I wanted to make sure he’d never forget it. And he didn’t. That was his job from Me—to give people God’s Words, to take care of My followers, to make sure they knew the truth, and knew of My love. I wanted him to be as a shepherd, and really care for those who wanted to love and follow Me. 
	Because of his faithfulness to obey those words, and all the other disciples who went out as My witnesses, is one of the reasons why you, My sheep, My children, are here today. Will you help to feed and care for others who want to come to know Me and hear My words, who are hungry for the truth? “Feed My sheep”, okay?
***
Clouds
My disciples, My followers had been prepared, and were now ready to take up the great and challenging task of beginning to tell the whole world about Me. It was an enormous job—and not something only they could do, on their own. So I had a plan. The only way for them to even have the boldness and strength and power to do it, was to have God’s Spirit of love, the Holy Spirit, come and help them. I promised to them that they would get this power from Heaven. I told them to wait in Jerusalem until then.
	At last it was my final day with them, before I disappeared from sight to work more from the realm of the spirit. We walked and talked till we got to a certain mountain spot. I told them to go and tell the world about Me—to “teach all nations”. That’s a pretty big job! I promised however that “I will be with you always.” So with Me helping, strengthening and encouraging them, it would give them courage to do it, and to try their best. 
I promised them that they would also receive special power from Heaven—God’s Holy Spirit, assisting them, instructing them, empowering them, and comforting them in times of difficulty. 
When I was ready, and the moment was right, to the astonishment of the disciples, I began to rise up from the place where was I was standing. I rose higher and higher, till I reached the clouds and they could no longer see Me. I disappeared from their sight. 
The disciples looked up for the longest time, but there appeared angels right where they were looking. This helped to encourage them. The angels said, “He’ll be back! And the next time He comes, He’ll be in the clouds!”
In the mean time they all had a big job to do, and needed to get busy. Their first instruction was to go to Jerusalem, and wait for Heaven’s special power. 
	Rejoicing and praising God they went, eager and ready to obey all that I’d asked them to do. They knew I was the Christ, the Son of the living God! And My ascension into the clouds was another of My special signs to them, proving who I was. They were thrilled to be on My team, and to be called by God to spread the good news of My love and salvation to the world. 
	Are you? I’d be thrilled to have you on My team as well. This world needs all the help it can get. Then one day, to the surprise of most folks on Earth, I will make My appearance again. It’s not that I’m gone, and don’t see or know what is going on down on Earth. I am very actively involved and working steadily to bring as many into My Heavenly Kingdom as possible, even though I’m not usually seen with human eyes. 
However, the world will one day see Me and know that I’m the King. I won’t be born again as a baby, or be seen riding a donkey down on a dusty street. I will be seen in My glory and Heavenly power, and everyone will see Me when I come that time, at My second coming to Earth. 
All who have believed and received Me will be very glad, as then instead of Me coming down to live as a man on Earth, in human form, you and all the believers will come up to Me, to live in Heaven, and have their body changed instantly into a Heavenly body, that can do those amazing things that I showed that I could do, when I was resurrected! 
It won’t be all that long now until the time is right for Me to show up again. But I want to give enough time so that all you, My present-day disciples, can tell as many as you can about Me, and the way to Heaven—and can teach those people to do the same. And then as many people as possible will be able to fly up to meet Me when it’s time to come. 
Will you do that for Me? It won’t be long now. You’ll be so glad you followed faithfully in My ways. I love you and will be with you always!