by C. Fennessy
Her father agreed and walked back up the temple steps with her.
Ezra turned to Hannah and smiled.
“I knew that if she got to see Jesus, she would be healed,” he said.
Hannah nodded.
“I believed it, too,” she said as her smile faded, “But now he’s going to be crucified. It seems all so unfair, Ezra! Why would God allow such a thing to happen?”
Ezra looked up at the temple, saying, “Jesus said that he came to save us from our sins. Perhaps this is the only way it could happen.”
“You mean, he’s taking the punishment for us? But why?”
Ezra put an arm around her shoulder.
“Because he loves us all so much.”
Hannah suddenly remembered the moment when she and Jesus had met face to face. She recalled the look in his eyes, and she felt that same sensation of love and compassion again.
“Yes,” she agreed, “Yes, I think you’re right.”
They reached home later that afternoon, and when Leah and Hannah presented themselves to Hannah’s parents, they told their story.
“I’m sorry that I left without your permission,” Hannah said, “And I won’t be angry if you beat me, because I deserve it. But I would do it again if I had to. I knew that Jesus would heal Leah.”
Her parents looked amazed. Her father shook his head slowly, saying,
“I won’t beat you. We should have listened to you when you asked us to take you to Jerico. You have both shown such courage and faith. I am proud that you are my daughter. Hannah was stunned by her father’s words. Was this another miracle? She rushed into his arms and he hugged her as he had never hugged her before.
There was a joyful celebration between the two families that evening. Yet they took time out to remember Jesus, who had died on the cross that afternoon.
Three days later their sorrow was replaced by joy when they heard that Jesus had risen from the tomb. Then they realized that everything Jesus had told them was true. He was truly the Son of God.
The End.
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