When Jesus went to Simon's house, he found his mother-in-law sick in bed. She had a fever! When Jesus took her hand, the fever left her and she got right up! That evening people brought the sick and those oppressed by unclean spirits up to Simon's door. Jesus healed a lot of people from their diseases and told the unclean spirits to get out. When God's kingdom comes near, people get well. 

When Jesus taught in a synagogue, one of the men shouted out to him, asking him "Are you going to destroy the evil spirits?" Jesus didn't want the evil spirit to talk! He told the unclean spirit to be quiet and get out of that man.  Everyone was amazed when the man was violently shaken, and the spirit came out of him screaming! Nobody they knew could command unclean spirits. This was something new. Jesus had authority. 

Jesus taught people by the shore of the lake. It was so crowded, he got into Simon's boat. After he taught, Simon and his friends went fishing because Jesus told them to. What a surprise! It wasn't the right time of day to fish, but the fish were practically throwing themselves into the boat! Simon was afraid. He knew he was not a good man. But Jesus reassured him. He was going to help Jesus go fishing for people! 

In John chapter 2, Jesus and his disciples are invited to a wedding. They are celebrating by feasting and drinking wine. Then, Mary gets the message - they are out of wine. She tells Jesus. Jesus tells some helpers to fill up the ceremonial jars with water. When they are full, he tells them to take a little bit to the man in charge of the drinks. The man is excited! This wine is even better than the wine they started with. Usually they serve the good wine first, and then serve something that doesn't taste as good. But this wine is the best! 

John the Baptist saw Jesus walking by, and told a few of his followers - there goes the One God has chosen to be the Savior, the Lamb of God! How can Jesus save us? He has something that we need - he has perfect blood - it has no sin! And he doesn't keep it for himself, he is willing to share it! In this story, four men start to follow him, and he becomes their teacher. 

From Mark chapter 6. Full of the Holy Spirit, Jesus knew it was time to do what his father asked. He went to the synagogue in Nazareth and read Isaiah 61, where the Messiah announces what his mission is. But this was his hometown, and the people didn't believe Jesus was the Messiah! They were furious and wanted to throw him over a cliff. 

John said that Jesus is the Lamb of God. If Jesus was a perfect lamb, he could take away the sin of the world! But if Satan could get Jesus to sin, he wouldn't be perfect anymore. Satan tried three times to get Jesus to disobey God. Is Jesus willing to do what Satan says?

When he was about thirty years old, Jesus went to John to be baptized. When Jesus came up out of the water, John saw something special happen. The Holy Spirit came down from heaven like a dove, and stayed on Jesus. That's how John knew that Jesus was the chosen king. Jesus had arrived to begin God's kingdom, and take away the sin of the world.

When he is about twelve, Jesus travels with his relatives to Jerusalem for the Passover celebration. After the feast, the family begins the journey back to Nazareth.  After a day's travel, Mary and Joseph realize that Jesus is not with the other children! They turn back to look for him. After three days, they find him in the temple, studying with the teachers there. What was Jesus thinking? Didn't he know that his parents would be looking all over for him?

When Jesus was eight days old, his parents brought him to the temple to dedicate him to the Lord and to offer the sacrifice, because he was the firstborn son.  While they were there, Simeon took Jesus into his arms. Simeon had been told that he would not die until he had seen the Lord's Christ. Now, the Holy Spirit showed Simeon that this was the one. Simeon told Mary and Joseph that Jesus would make history. Also, Anna, a woman who had been praying and fasting in the temple night and day for many years, told Mary and Joseph that their baby would be the Savior. Mary had a lot to think about!