Through Pressing Crowds They Wanted to Touch His Garment

By Mary Vee
Matthew 12, Mark 3,

From Matthew's Journal 

Sea of Galilee, Photo by Mary Vee

My name is Matthew. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something today. 

We followed Jesus to the lake to get away from the large crowds. Word had spread about Jesus healing the sick. It seemed as though the entire country came to visit Him, asking for healing.

There were people who came from Tyre and Sidon over on the Mediterranean Sea, from cities on the other side of the Jordan River, Judea, Jerusalem, and far south of Jerusalem in Idumea.

Jesus looked at the growing number of people and said to us, "We will need to have a small boat ready to keep the people from crowding me into the water."

None of us could blame the people. Most had traveled long distances with their loved ones who had great needs. They saw he had healed many, and that simply touching Jesus brought healing to the sick. The crowds pushed, not like as in fighting, but as in strongly wanting to get close enough to Jesus to touch even his garment.

When those came who were possessed by evil spirits, we heard the spirits cry out, "You are the Son of God." Jesus faced the spirits and gave them strict orders not to say who he was."

I know, I wondered why He said that, too, until Jesus reminded us of Isaiah's prophecy:

Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, I am delighted by Him.

I have put my Spirit on Him, by this He will judge the nations.

He won't scream, or yell, or cry out for people to hear in the streets.

What is bruised or bent, He will not break

He won't blow out a smoldering candle--rather he will lead justice to victory.

Nations will put their hope in His name. 

So, we kept a boat close by knowing that at some point the crowds would press Jesus toward the water...not to harm Him. They just wanted to touch Him. At that point, he'd get in the boat and speak to them from there.

You need to know that our country is not under the control of the Jews. The Romans have a strong arm, the Greeks had their influence, and many of our people long for someone to come and rescue our country from those who force us to become like them. We are seeking someone to save us from these controlling powers.


I'll tell you more about that next time.

Author's note: what they didn't realize at the time was Jesus was the Savior, but he would not save them from the temporary political problems and turmoil, he give the only way for eternal life. 

Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

Jonathan Goforth, God Forgives

By Mary Vee
Year: August 1910

Jonathan Goforth-51 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind, and I are missionaries in China and we are having an exciting time telling the people here about a living God who loves them. 

Furlough is a time when missionaries are required to go back to their original country and renew their paperwork. Visas, licenses, all kinds of paperwork. The missionaries also visit churches who have supported them. Many churches. It's a lot of work. 

I was really glad I could be with my family. When the year ended, we had approval to return to China, but the mission board asked us to first attend the conference in Great Britain. They wanted me to speak to the people and share God's work.

What surprised me about the conference was the great interest the people had. They really wanted to know a lot about the people of China. I only wished the people of Canada felt as strongly. Any way, I was happy to see their support and encouragement.

Rosalind, the children, and I boarded a ship and sailed to China. We settled back into our home and opened a letter that told us our new duties. Part involved me traveling around China and preaching. 

This was a two man job. Over the years, fifteen Chinese men had learned how to be evangelists from our training program, and all were busy with their own assignments. There wasn't even one man who could travel with me. So I prayed, asking God to send me a helper.

Until that time, I got to work back in Changte. On the 30th day of preaching to large crowds, we set up the chairs and prepared for another day. That night as I preached, a drunk man in fancy clothes, staggered into the tent. He had taken a taxi, got out, and walked inside. The disturbance caught the eye of everyone sitting. They watched him walk to an open seat in the front row and sit.

I really didn't think he understood much, and mostly prayed as I spoke that God would keep him from disturbing the service like other drunks have done. 

The drunk man mumbled a few times. He fidgeted in his seat and acted like he wanted to leave. At the end of my message I asked if anyone wanted to learn more about Jesus. The drunk man raised his hand along with several other people.

We sang a few songs and I spoke more. At the end of the service, the drunk man, came to me. I found out his name was Su Chuangting. He said, "How did you know so much about me?"

I didn't. I had preached to everyone listening about a living God who would forgive them for the bad things they had done. 

Su Chuangting said, "I knew I had done bad things, but this was the first time that I'd heard God would forgive me."

We talked for a while. Then the man left. I didn't know if I would see him again. 

That night I prayed again for God to send me a helper. 

Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

The Great Debate Between Good and Evil

By Mary Vee
Matthew 12, Mark 3, Luke 6

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Jerusalem

My name is Matthew. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something today. 

We've been talking about the crazy things that have happened on the Sabbath at the temple. Most resulted in a dual of words between the Jewish leaders and Jesus.

Another Sabbath came along and sure enough the Jewish leaders and Pharisees searched for Jesus looking for another fight. 

Inside the temple was a man whose right hand was shriveled and useless. 

The Jewish leaders knew the man was there and weren't very quiet about their plan. They were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus of what they felt was sin. They huddled in groups and watched Him closely to see if he would heal the man on the Sabbath. When Jesus neared the man, one of them stopped him and said, "Jesus, is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?"

Now anyone listening would know the tone of the Jewish leader's voice. He was not asking. He was trying to trap Jesus. As if they could. So the other disciples and I stayed close, too knowing Jesus would have the perfect answer to prove the Jewish leaders wrong.

Jesus said, "Say any one of you had a sheep and it fell into a pit on the Sabbath, wouldn't you lift it out and set it safely on the ground?" He paused. None of them answered. Jesus then said, "How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! So, it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath."

Jesus turned to the man with the shriveled hand and said, "Stand up. Turn and face all of these people. Let them see you."

The man did as Jesus asked. 

As he stood there, Jesus turned to the Jewish leaders and Pharisees and said, "Which is lawful to do on the Sabbath: good or evil? To save a life or to kill?" 

Again they said nothing. Really? They stroke their beards and looked at each other, waiting, and clearly hoping Jesus would say something they could accuse him of. Unbelievable.

Jesus looked at the group of leaders, eyeing each one. He was angry and very distressed at their stubborn hold to rules, and to their complete lack of compassion, the very compassion they expected from God.

He turned away from them and faced the man with the withered hand. He said, "Stretch out your hand."

The man did as Jesus asked. And at the second the man's arm was fully stretched, his hand was healed. Completely!

The Jewish leaders stepped forward and looked at the healed hand. Their faces scrunched into anger. They huddled and discussed what they thought. Their words were not kind. They were talking about ways they could get rid of Jesus.

After a few minutes, the Pharisees stormed out, looking for Herodian officials, and hoping to get help in planning a way to kill Jesus.

So, the Jewish leaders couldn't think of anything to answer Jesus' questions. They knew they were in the wrong, but they couldn't handle what might happen if they admitted they were wrong. They would have to change their thinking. They would have to understand people would want to listen and follow Jesus. They would have to be compassionate.

Their way of doing things would change....and they didn't want to do that. 


I'll tell you more about that next time.

Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

What Can We Do on the Sabbath?

By Mary Vee
Matthew 12, Mark 2, Luke 6

From Matthew's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Jerusalem

My name is Matthew. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something to what I share today. 

We were just at the temple today. Before that, Jesus healed a lame man, He has also had a discussion with the leaders of the Temple. You can read about these events in last week's story. 

This is still the Sabbath and we are hungry. Jesus, who always thought of our needs, led us out to the cornfields where we found food.

It happens that the Jewish leaders who debated with Jesus earlier followed us. I think they were looking for a reason to argue with Him.

As we walked along the cornfields, we picked some heads of grain and ate them. Only seconds passed before the Pharisees moved closer to Jesus. "Look!" they shouted, pointing at us. "Your disciples are disobeying the law on the Sabbath."

The Sabbath was to be a day of rest when Jews did not boil water, create anything, agree to a contract, cut flowers, or break anything. It was a day, set aside, to think of God and all He has given to us, to have peace, and a time of rest.

Jesus looked at us eating the grain then back at the Pharisees. He said, "Haven't you read what David did when he and the men with him became hungry? David entered the house of God, and he and his men ate the bread set aside for God, which, as you know, was not lawful for them to do. Only the priests were allowed to eat that bread. 

"Or what about yourselves. Don't you and the other priests do work in the Temple on the Sabbath, which is breaking the law, but is allowed?

"I am here to tell you that One who is greater than the Temple is here. 

"If you knew what these words from Hosea in the Scripture meant: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice', you would not have condemned these innocent disciples of mine."

Jesus waited for them to say something. When they didn't He said, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. The Son of Man has not only authority to heal and cast out demons, He also has authority over the Sabbath."


I'll tell you more about that next time.

Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

Jonathan Goforth-The People Wanted a 12 Hour Church Service!

By Mary Vee
Year: October 1907-1908

Jonathan Goforth-58 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind, and I are missionaries in China and we are having an exciting time telling the people here about a living God who loves them. 

We have been talking about Chang-san and his village. We were very pleased when his father believed in the living God. Chang-san's entire village eventually all believed in the One true Living God, too. It took time. Chang-san's great grandmother was the last one to realize that the gods she had been praying to could not see or hear her. That only the Living God listened to her and truly cared about her.

During the nineteen years I have worked in China, many people have surrender their lives and put their faith in the God who loves them.

The mission board asked me to go with another pastor to see the work being done in Korea. I was very impressed. So many Koreans believe in the Living God. Christian schools, hospitals, and churches were built and staffed by the new believers.

On my way back to China, we stopped in Manchuria. I shared with the people what God had done in Korea. The people listened and asked me to come back. I returned and told them more about what the living God had done in Korea. I went home to China. Weeks later those in Manchuria asked me to come back again. They sent letters three times asking me to come back. I asked permission to leave the work in China for a month. When I heard the yes, I left for Manchuria.

This time I spoke about God and His love for them. How He cared for them. The people listened and wept. They begged God to forgive their sins. The rich and poor came to the meetings and sat together. God moved in the lives of everyone who came. 

When I returned to my mission in China, they had already received letters telling about the success in Manchuria. Soon other churches in China wrote asking me to come speak to their people.

By 1908 the mission decided my work needed to change from Changte to all of China. The one downside was the travel and time away from Rosalind in Changte. She had since given birth to two more children. We couldn't bring all the little ones on these trips. Rosalind and I decided she should take the children back to Canada for a while.

The day before she and the children left, Rosalind and I went for a walk. She asked, "If, while I was in Canada, I became seriously ill and sent you a cable, would you come see me?"

This was a very difficult question. I knew the answer, but giving one that would not hurt her feelings was the challenge. God called me to work in China. Serving Him needed to stand above my deep love and affection for her or the children. At last, I thought of something to say. "Say there was a war and I was a leader of an army. Then, the situation you suggested happened. Would you want me to leave my post to come home?"

She shook her head. "No." She sighed. "No, I wouldn't."

I could tell from the look on her face that she understood the meaning. The next day I hugged her and the children before they boarded the boat. We waved. 

After they left, I wept, because I missed them. 

The next year I toured China, holding meetings with large crowds attending. I tried to end my talks many times but the people begged me to continue. Some meetings lasted 12 hours when the sun had gone down and we could no longer see.

When 1909 came, I had well overstayed my assignment and needed to return to Canada for my furlough. I couldn't wait to see my family. Rosalind, the children, and I visited churches all over Canada telling them about the work in China and Manchuria. We traveled for the whole year. I sure enjoyed being with my family.

But when 1910 came, we had a family meeting. Everyone voted to go back to China. Now all we have to do is convince the mission board to let us.



Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

Seeing Less Than The Blind

By Mary Vee
John 5

From John's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Jerusalem

My name is John. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something to what I share today. 

We are still standing in the courts of the Temple. Jesus has been speaking to some Temple leaders who were angry that a man carried a mat. They had found out that Jesus told the man to do it.

They came to Jesus ready with accusations because today is the Sabbath. Last time we talked about what Jesus said to them. Jesus didn't cower earlier and he still isn't. He stands straight, not afraid of these men like most people, and I admit I am one. He is boldly looking at them and saying,

"I don't act on my own. and will not in the future either. I listen to the One who sent me, then do as He says. I am not here to please myself, but the One who has sent me. And because of this, my judgements are always fair and never to my benefit. 

"If I tell you about myself, than my words are not valid. But there is someone else who has spoken to you about me in my favor, and I know what he has said is true. You've even sent messengers to John. They heard him tell the truth to everyone who heard him.

"His message, though, did not begin with him. It began in the heavenly places. I'm telling you this so that you, too, can be rescued and have eternal life. John the Baptist's voice is like a light in darkness, and, for a time, you enjoyed seeing that light and wanted to hear more.

"There is another witness, one who is greater than John. My mission and the things I have been sent to do, alone, prove my instructions come from the Father. The Father, Himself has given testimony of me. You have never heard His voice, or seen Him, and His word does not live in your hearts. 

"Oh, sure, you've studied the Scriptures, searching for answers and think you have eternal life because of all these rituals and acts you follow. But what you have missed is that these very Scriptures point to me. I am here. Right before your eyes. The one sent by the Father. And there you stand, refusing to believe in me, missing an opportunity to truly have eternal life.  

"The praise I receive does not come from mere man. I see you don't have a true love of God. Even still, I pursued you. I have come in my Father's name, and still you have turned me away.

"If someone else came along and gave you his credentials, you'd welcome him and believe him. How can you say you believe in God? You are so consumed with wanting each other's praises. Oh, he has done this and he has done that. Wanting so desperately to get each other's approval when the approval you really need is God's and God's alone.

"I won't accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, even though you have put all your hope in him. If you truly believed what Moses wrote and said, you would believe me because he wrote about me. Since you have missed the deeper meanings in Moses' words, how will you ever believe what I say?"

When He finished those words, we left and headed out to the fields where the corn grew. We were hungry.


I'll tell you more about that next time.

Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

The Forbidden Day

By Mary Vee
John 5

From John's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Jerusalem

My name is John. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something to what I share today. 

We just left the pool of Bethesda and walked toward the temple. This is the Sabbath. A day when so much is forbidden. I say this because none of this would have happened on another day. 

Who dictates what is forbidden on the Sabbath? Mostly the priests, pharisees, and Rabbis. 

Scriptures tell us to rest and remember this day or set aside our regular routine and treat this day special, one to honor God. The leaders of the temple have made the requirements for what is acceptable to do on this day ridiculous. To disagree with them is to make them angry and we don't want to make them angry, they get mean. 

Jesus, only moments ago healed a man who hadn't been able to walk for thirty-eight years. Jesus told him he should pick up his mat, which meant he wouldn't have to come sit by this healing pool anymore, and walk, which meant he could work and care for himself. 

The leaders who saw the man carrying the mat questioned him, asking who told him to carry his mat. I have a sneaky feeling they didn't even notice this man could walk, or realize Jesus had healed this man. The leaders searched for Jesus ready to accuse him of violating the Sabbath.

They stopped Jesus in a court and said, "What right have you to tell that man he could carry anything on the Sabbath? This violates the Sabbath laws."

Now, most people would step back, maybe look at the ground when these leaders yelled and accused them of violating the law. Not Jesus. He looked them square in the eyes and said, "My Father is always at work, even to this day, so I am working, too."

The leader's faces turned red. Their eyes narrowed. They talked among each other and weren't quiet about it at all. They discussed ways to officially accuse Jesus of what he did and get rid of him. "He isn't just breaking the sacred laws for the Sabbath, he says God is his father, you know what that means. He thinks he is equal to God." 

"Blasphemy," another one said.

They hadn't spoken directly to Jesus, but we all heard them. 

Jesus said, "The truth is this, everything the Son does is because he sees his Father do them. The Father loves the Son and doesn't hide anything from him. And the things you haven't seen yet will be beyond your understanding. You will be amazed. See, the Father can give life to the dead. The Son also gives life to whomever he chooses.

"The Father doesn't judge, instead he has given all judgement to the Son. The reason he has done this is to bring honor to the Son just as honor is given to the Father. So, anyone who doesn't honor the Son, does not honor the Father who sent him.

"I'm speaking the truth. Eternal life belongs to whoever listens to what I say and believes in the One who sent Me. These are the ones who have nothing to fear judgement because they have crossed over from being dead to being alive.

"I'm telling the truth. A day is coming, in fact it is here, when the voice of the living Son of God will crack open death's dominion and those who hear will live. See, the Father radiates life and energizes the Son of God with the same life giving power to judge all creation.

"Don't be amazed at this because there is coming a time when all who are buried and have lived long ago will hear his voice and rise up. Those who have done good will rise to live and those who have done evil will be raised up and sent to their punishment."

The conversation didn't end here. And the debate was interesting, especially hearing Jesus outwit the Pharisees. 

I'll tell you more about that next time.

Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.

Jonathan Goforth-Grumpy Became Grandfatherly

By Mary Vee
Year: October 1894

Jonathan Goforth-45 years old

Jonathan Goforth's Journal

My name is Jonathan Goforth. My wife, Rosalind, and I are missionaries in China and we are having an exciting time telling the people here about a living God who loves them. 

The other missionaries from my group went with me to Chang-san's village. I wanted to visit with his father, the man who beat him and threatened to kill him. We left Chang-san back at my home for his protection.

After spending most of the day in his village and waiting for Mr. Chang to respond to my message, I decided to go to his home. When I arrived, he was gone.

The others in his community said he heard a foreigner was coming to speak with him. He ran away and was in hiding. 

Well, there was no way he would return while I was still there. Still, the others from the small community were curious. I took the opportunity to sit down with them and tell them about the living God who loves them. They listened to all I had to say and asked questions. When I finished, I went back to the others.

We traveled back to our homes together at the end of the day. 

Some days later, a messenger sent word saying the villagers told Chang-san's father what I had preached. He became curious about the living God. The one who would love him. He calmed down and said he wanted his son to come back home. I didn't know if he could be trusted or no, so I asked Mr. Ho to go with the boy to protect him.

When the boy went back to his father's home, his father saw him. Mr. Chang picked up an iron tool and lunged, ready to attack his son. Mr. Ho leaped in front of the boy and grabbed the iron tool like a warrior. He held it tight in his grip, refusing to let go. He told Mr. Change he would not release the weapon until a promise was given not to harm the boy. 

Mr. Chang at long last agreed and put the weapon down. A promise was very sacred to these people. Mr. Ho knew he could trust Mr. Chang to keep his words.

Missionaries took turns going back to Chang-san's village. They preached and answered the people's questions. In time, many of the people put their trust in God. Real changes happened in their lives and others saw. More villagers joined those who believed, but not Mr. Chang.

Soon, Mr. Chang was the only one in his village who had not believed in God. He saw how his neighbors changed. How they became kind and giving. How they worshiped God.

Mr. Chang finally changed his mind and put his trust in a God who truly loved him. One he could talk to. One who listened. One who loved him. He received a copy of God's word in his own language. Mr. Chang read from the Scriptures every day. What a change his faith in God made in his life.

He changed so much that the little children in the village stopped calling him Fury. They weren't afraid to talk to him. He became like a grandfather to them.


This is not the end of Chang-san's story. 

Jonathan has many stories to share. Come back each Monday to find out what happened next.



Resources Used for This Series
Being, Janet, and Geoff Benge. Jonathan Goforth: An Open Door in China. Seattle. WA: YWAM Pub., 2001.Print
Doyle, G. Wright. Builders of the Chinese Church: Pioneer Protestant Missionaries and Chinese Church Leaders. Eugene Oregon: Pickwick Pub, 2015. Print.
Goforth, Jonathan, and Rosaline Goforth, Miracle Lives of China, London" Marshall, Morgan & Scott, 1931, Print.
Goforth, Jonathan. "By My Spirit" Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1942. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Climbing; Memories of a Missionary's Wife. Chicago: Moody Pub, n.d. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How I Know God Answers Prayers; The Personal Testimony of One Life-time, New York: Harper & Brothers, 1921. Print
Goforth, Rosalind. Jonathan Goforth. Minneapolis, MN: Bethan House, 1986. Print
Goforth, Rosalind, How God Answers Prayer: The Mighty Miracles of God from the Mission Field of Jonathan Goforth. USA: Revival, 2016. Print Original copyright not stated.
Jackson, Dave, and Neta Jackson. Mask of the Wolf Boy: Minneapolis, MN: Bethany House, 1999. Print.
McCleary, Walter. An Hour with Jonathan Goforth: A Biography. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1938. Print.
Meloche, Renee Taft., and Bryan Pollard. Jonathan Goforth: Never Give up. Seattle, WA: YWAM, 2004. Print.

.

Let Jonathan hear from you!

Leave a comment below.

News Flash! More Than One Healed At The Pool of Bethesda

By Mary Vee
John 5

From John's Journal 

Photo by Mary Vee
Sign outside the area of the Pool of Bethesda

My name is John. I am a disciple of Jesus. I am here with other disciples, so they may add something to what I share today. 

We left Galilee and walked to Jerusalem. I say we walked "up" to Jerusalem, even though we headed south, because the city is up on a hill.

This was a time of feast. The Passover. And as expected, we went to Jerusalem for the celebration. A time to remember how God protected, guided, and cared for the Israelites through the escape from Egypt long ago.


We were near the Sheep Gate, at the pool of Bethesda, there is a map of the city below.

Photo by Mary Vee
The ruins of the Pool of Bethesda 

This is a rather large pool surrounded by five colonnades. There is also a picture of a colonnade below. So the pool was really big.

People who were very sick, injured, blind, those who had all kinds of physical problems came here to the pool each day. They would lie by the water. If they could not get to this place, friends or family might bring them there. 

The came to this pool because when the water stirred, the first one in the water was healed.

The Sheep Gate from
today's story is near the top.
Map by Mary Vee

We walked with Jesus to the pool. He stopped and spoke with a man who said he had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. Jesus said to him, "Do you want to get well?"

We were all quite surprised with the question. Of course he wanted to get well or he wouldn't be there. Later we learned what Jesus really meant by that question.

The man answered, "Sir, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. When ever I try, someone gets down into the water before me."

Jesus said, "Get up. Pick up your mat and walk."

We stood behind Jesus, but could still see the man. Right before our eyes he stood. His ankles were strong, no wobbling at all. His legs did not buckle. He stood straight and looked as surprised as we were. Then he bent over and picked up his mat like Jesus told him to and walked away. He seemed to be too stunned to say anything.

Photo by Mary Vee
A colonnade in Jerash, Jordan

This happened on a Sabbath. There are many rules about what a man can and cannot do on a Sabbath. Some Jews stopped the man who had been healed. They said to him, "you know this is the Sabbath, right? And that the law strictly forbids you to carry your mat?"

The man who was healed pointed toward Jesus. "He made me well. He told me to pick up my mat and walk."

The Jews said, "Who is this person who said you should pick up a mat and walk?"

He looked back toward the pool and searched the crowd. "I don't see him any more."

Later, we saw the man at the temple. Jesus said to him, "See, you are well, again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you."

The man nodded then hurried away. He went straight to the Jews who spoke with him earlier. "That man who healed me was Jesus."

They left him and hurried through the crowd, searching for Jesus to speak with him. They didn't look happy at all. Actually, they looked like they wanted to get after him for violating their idea of the Sabbath law.

I'll tell you more about that next time.

Come back to read the next story.

*********************************************************************************************

sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.