Jesus Saves A Child,
Rebukes Fire And Reforms A
Man
By
The Twelve
Apostles
Jesus Saves A Child From Fire
Now, Lazarus was at the feast, and Jesus and the twelve. And Ruth and Asher came from Jericho, for
Asher was no longer hostile to the Christ. And while the guests sat at the board behold a cry, “The village is on fire!” And all
rushed out into the streets, and, behold, the homes of many neighbours
were in flames.
And in an upper room an infant lay asleep, and none could pass the flames to
save. The mother, wild with grief, was calling on the people to save her child.
Then, with a voice that made the spirits of the fire pale and tremble, Jesus
said, “Peace, peace, be still!” And He walked through smoke and flame, climbed
up the falling stair, and in a moment came again, and in His arms He brought
the child, and not a trace of fire was on Himself, His dress, or the child.
Jesus Rebukes Fire And
Explains The Mystery Called Man
Next, Jesus raised
His hand, rebuked the spirits of the fire, commanding them to cease their awful
work, and be at rest. And as though the waters of the sea were all at once
poured on the flames, the fire ceased to burn. And when the fury of the fire
was spent, the multitudes were wild to see the man who could control the fire,
and Jesus said, “Man was not made for fire, but fire was made for man. When man
comes to himself and comprehends the fact that he is son of God, and knows that
in himself lies all the powers of God, he is a master mind and all the elements
will hear his voice and gladly do his will. Two sturdy asses bind the will of
man. Their names are Fear and Unbelief. When these are caught and turned aside,
the will of man will know no bounds. Then man has but to speak and it is done.”
Jesus Reforms A Drunkard
The guests returned and sat about the board. A little
child came in and stood by Jesus' side. She laid her hand on Jesus' arm and
said, “Please, Master Jesus, hear! My father is a drunken man. My mother toils
from morning till night, and when she brings her wages home, my father snatches
them away and squanders every cent for drink, and mother and us little ones are
hungry all the night. Please, Master Jesus, come with me and touch my father's
heart. He is so good and kind, when he is just himself. I know it is the wine
that makes another man of him.”
And Jesus went out with the child. He found the wretched home. He spoke in
kindness to the mother and the little ones, and then upon a bed of straw, he
found the drunken man. He took him by the hand and raised him up and said, “My
brother, man, made in the image of our Father-God, will you arise and come with
me? Your neighbours are in sore distress. They have
lost all they had in this fierce fire, and people must build their homes again.
And you and I must lead the way.”
And then the man arose. The two went arm in arm to view the wrecks. They heard
the mothers and the children crying in the streets. They saw their
wretchedness. And Jesus said, “My friend, here is work for you to do. Just lead
the way in helpfulness. I am sure the people of Bethany will furnish you the
means and help.”
The spark of hope that so long been smoldering in the man was fanned into a
flame. He threw his ragged coat aside. He was himself again. And then he called
for help, not for himself, but for the homeless ones. And everybody helped. The
ruined homes were built again. And then he saw his own poor den. His heart was
stirred to its depths. The pride of manhood filled his soul. He said, “This
wretched den shall be a home.” He worked as he had never wrought before, and
everybody helped. And in a little while the den became a home indeed. The
flowers of love bloomed everywhere. The mother and
the little ones were filled with joy. The father never drank again. A man was
saved, and no one ever said a word about neglect or drunkenness, nor urged him
to reform.