Jesus Understands

JESUS UNDERSTANDS

Jesus Understands Written by Scott Griswold Illustrated by Bonnie Green Copyright Š 2017

There is a beautiful story of a man who lived many years ago. They called Him Jesus, which means “The One Who Rescues.”

Jesus was born in an animal stall and placed on a bed of straw because His family was very poor.

Have you had to sleep in a bad place because your family is poor?

Jesus understands.

An evil man named King Herod sent soldiers with swords to kill Jesus when He was just a baby.

Have you ever been afraid in the night, knowing there are bad people with guns nearby?

Jesus understands.

The father and mother of Jesus fled with Him from the country of Israel through the desert to Egypt where people did not like strangers.

Have you ever had people frown at you because you were different or poor?

Jesus understands.

Jesus’ father was a carpenter. Jesus helped his father build and did not go to school like the wealthy children.

Have you ever wished you could follow the children to school but had to work instead?

Jesus understands.

One day Jesus’ father died. He and His mother cried. They had to work even harder to have enough for their family.

Has someone you loved died and left you feeling lonely?

Jesus understands.

Jesus grew up. He was a very kind person.

He helped the sick.

He was a friend to the lonely and the poor.

People came to Him all day long and into the night asking for help.

Have you ever been extremely tired but felt you could not rest because your family needed your help all the time?

Jesus understands.

People liked Jesus very much. That made the leaders jealous of Him. They said bad things about Him that were not true to try to make the people stop liking Him.

Has someone ever lied about you and got you into trouble?

Jesus understands.

Then some bad people promised a lot of money to one of Jesus’ best friends named Judas if he would help them arrest Jesus. Judas took the money. He pretended to be nice but turned Jesus over to the bad men.

Have you ever had a friend betray you and stop being your friend?

Jesus understands.

Another close friend of Jesus named Peter said, “Even if everyone leaves you, I will always stay with you.” That very night Peter became scared when the bad men captured Jesus. He ran away.

When people asked him if he was Jesus’ friend, he said, “I don’t know Him.” He did this three times and said very bad words to show that he was not Jesus’ friend.

Have you ever had someone who said they loved you suddenly leave and stop being your friend?

Jesus understands.

That night the soldiers beat Jesus’ back many times until it bled. They made a crown of thorns and put it on His head. Then they hit Him and the thorns cut deep into His skin.

Have you ever been beaten until you were bruised or bleeding?

Jesus understands.

The next day the bad men got ready to crucify Jesus. They stripped off His clothes and nailed Him to the cross. They spit at Him and said many mean things about Him. Have you ever had someone shame you by saying bad things or even taking your clothes off and doing wrong things to you?

Jesus understands.

While Jesus was on the cross, it became very dark. Evil spirits whispered that nobody loved Him and He should give up. They told Him He would never live again.

Have you ever felt the awful feeling of evil spirits close to you?

Have you ever felt like you did not want to live anymore and should give up?

Jesus understands.

Even though Jesus had never done anything wrong, at the cross He chose to receive on Him all the sins of everybody who had ever lived. It made Him feel so awful that He cried out, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?�

Have you ever felt really bad about something you did and felt like nobody could ever love you anymore?

Jesus understands.

After Jesus died they took His body off the cross and put it in a tomb.

Many people were very sad. They forgot Jesus had promised that after three days He would rise from the dead.

Angels came from Heaven and rolled away the stone. Jesus came to life and walked out of the tomb.

His friends were so happy to see Him alive. Jesus forgave Peter and those who had hurt him. He was happy to be alive too.

Have you ever been really happy because you knew someone loved you no matter what you did?

Jesus understands.

Jesus Loves You!

Dear Jesus, Thank You for loving me so much! You left heaven to become a child like me. Lots of people were unkind to You and hurt You. I’m so glad You understand everything that I go through.

I feel sad about the bad things that have happened to me. I want to tell you about them‌(tell Jesus what you have suffered).

Thank You for dying so You could heal my hurt and give me solid hope for a better future. Please give me a new heart. Thank You that I belong to You and that You will always love me.

This book was produced by ASAP Ministries, Inc. We love to help children who have been through sad and difficult experiences. Abuse, slavery, and prostitution are real problems in many places throughout the world.

ASAP started schools in Cambodia and Thailand to help poor children have an education, food, and a friend in Jesus. We also created a Christian curriculum called “Growing Safe—Rooted in God’s Love” to help children stay away from dangerous situations or escape them.

The profits from this book are entirely donated to the schools and this project. You can learn more and donate directly at asapministries.org.

Suggested donation $15.

To learn how to protect children in danger take the training at: shieldthevulnerable.org If you are interested in finding out more about the curriculum or ordering copies please email us at: office@asapministries.org or go online to www.asapministries.org/give/tools.

Besides telling Jesus about your sadness, if someone violently hits you, touches your private parts, repeatedly screams and speaks mean to you or neglects you, you should tell an adult you trust or call: 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453).

If you would like to know more about Jesus visit the following websites: kidsbibleinfo.com

myplacewithjesus.com

Do you wish you could have a friend who really understands your heart?

This book tells the story of Jesus. He had many lonely, sad, and hard times just like lots of children do. Read and you will know that Jesus understands you.