I Wish I Had Been There!Sample

Jesus heals a paralyzed man

"Jesus is back home! Jesus is back home!" Jacob cried as he ran from door to door through the streets. Jacob was Capernaum's news carrier, and he took his job very seriously. Ima was baking bread, but as soon as she heard what Jacob said, she outed the fire, grabbed my hand, and ran out into the street. Everyone was running towards the house on the corner, and we began to run, too. When we got to the house, it was packed, but we managed to squeeze in, and ima put me to sit on the floor next to her.

Compared to the bright and noisy street, inside the house was dark and quiet. Everyone was paying attention to the Rabbi, Jesus. It took a while for my eyes to adjust to the dim light. As the room came into focus, I saw Rachel sitting with her ima as well. She was wearing the same yellow dress as yesterday when we played at my house. Some of the rabbis from the synagogue were also there. They were always so serious. I didn't like them much. I snuggled closer to ima as one of them noticed me watching him and scowled at me.

I began to look around at the house instead. It was big compared to ours, and it smelled nicer too. As I looked up at the roof, I noticed in one area a small hole appeared. I shook ima's hand to show her, but she gave me a look that I knew meant not to disturb her, so I just continued to watch the roof anxiously.

Soon, a big hole appeared. Everyone was noticing it now. There were people on top of the roof digging a hole! Inside, the people were getting agitated, but Jesus raised his hand, and they settled back down. Why was he so calm? Didn't he care about his roof? I know my abba would not have been so calm! Then, the people on the roof lowered Uncle Caleb down from the roof using ropes tied to a mat. "Ima, it's Uncle Caleb!"

"Shhh, yes, Ruth, it's Uncle Caleb."

Uncle Caleb lived on the street by the market. I felt sorry for him because he couldn't walk. They lowered him right in front of Jesus. Then Jesus said, "My child, your sins are forgiven." That seemed strange to me as this was not the Temple, and no sacrifices had been made. I think everyone found it strange because it seemed to cause a buzz in the crowd. Then Jesus said some stuff that I didn't quite understand, but it made everyone tense. Then he said, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and go home!" My heart skipped a beat when he said it. Something about the way he said it.

Then the most amazing thing happened! Uncle Caleb jumped up, took up his mat, and walked out of the house! "Ima, Uncle Caleb can walk now!" I exclaimed. Ima was crying and clutching her chest. "Yes, Ruth, Uncle Caleb can walk now she sobbed." I could hear the men on the roof shouting and rejoicing. Inside, the men sat in silent shock. All the women were crying.

Everyone was stunned and amazed. Then suddenly, the entire house erupted in praise to God! Jesus just sat smiling. I stared and stared at him. I couldn't believe that he made my uncle walk again! Then he looked at me and winked. I blushed and smiled. I like Jesus.