Volume 2

288 Life of Jesus Christ
implored My help outside the synagogue? Bring them
hither!" As they whom He addressed showed no inclination
to obey, Jesus said: "Since ye will not execute My
orders, I shall have recourse to My disciples." At these
words, His enemies changed their minds, and sent
messengers to seek for the sick men. Soon the poor
creatures made their appearance, dragging in slowly. It
was a pitiful sight. There were about twelve of them,
some lame, and some so frightfully swollen with dropsy
that even their puffed-up fingers stood wide apart from
one another. They entered rejoicing and full of hope,
although they had shortly before departed very sad, on
account of the rebuff received from the Doctors of the
Law.
Jesus commanded them to stand in a line, and it was
touching to see the less afflicted placing those worse than
themselves in front, that Jesus might cure them first.
Jesus descended a couple of steps and called the first up
to Him. Most of them were paralyzed in the arms. Jesus
silently prayed over them, His eyes raised to Heaven, and
touched their arms, gently stroking them downward.
Then He moved their hands up and down, and ordered
them to step back and give thanks to God. They were
cured. The dropsical could scarcely walk. Jesus laid His
hand on their head and breast. Their strength instantly
returned, they were able to retire briskly, and in a few
days the water had entirely disappeared.
During this miraculous healing the people began to
press forward in crowds, among them many other poor,
sick creatures who, uniting their voices with those of the
cured, proclaimed aloud the praises of God. The concourse
was so great that the Doctors of the Law, filled
with shame and rage, had to give place to the people,
and some of them even left the synagogue. Jesus went on
instructing the multitude until the close of the Sabbath.
He spoke to them of the nearness of the Kingdom, of