The Barefoot Evangelist

Read Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26 with your family.

Have you ever been really sick? Maybe you had to stay in bed all day while everyone else was outside having fun. In today’s Bible story, a little girl was very, very sick. Her family was worried and sad because they thought they were going to lose her.

Her father loved her so much that he went looking for Jesus. He believed that Jesus could help, even when things seemed hopeless. While Jesus was on his way to see the girl, he stopped to help another woman who had been sick for many years. Jesus cared about her too. No one was too small, too sick, or too forgotten for Jesus to notice.

When Jesus finally arrived, everyone thought it was too late. But Jesus went to the little girl, took her by the hand, and told her to get up. And she did! Imagine how surprised and happy her family must have been. Imagine the smiles, the hugs, and the tears of joy.

This story reminds us that Jesus sees us when we are afraid, sad, lonely, or hurting. He doesn’t rush past us. He doesn’t forget us. Just as he reached out his hand to the little girl, Jesus reaches out to us with love, hope, and kindness every day. And sometimes, when things feel impossible, God still has a way of bringing new life and new beginnings.

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