Then said He to the man, “Stretch forth thine hand.”  And he stretched it forth, and it was made whole and healthy like the other.

Then the Pharisees went out and held a council against Him, to consider how they might destroy Him; but when Jesus knew it, He withdrew Himself from that part, and great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.

[Illustration:  The withered hand.]

JESUS ASCENDS TO HEAVEN.

Jesus had been cruelly put to death.  His hands, which had been placed on the heads of little children when He blessed them, had been nailed to a cross of wood; and cruel nails had been driven through his feet.  And hanging on the cross, Jesus had died.  But on the third day He had risen from the tomb, and for forty days He had remained upon the earth, meeting frequently with His disciples.  At the end of that time Jesus led the eleven apostles from Jerusalem towards Bethany; and when near that village, and away from the multitude, He spoke to them, promising that they should be made bold by the Holy Spirit, and receive power to witness for Him both to the Jews and Gentiles.  Then, the Bible tells us, “He lifted up His hands and blessed them.  And it came to pass, while He blessed them, He was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.”  And as He went up, a cloud received Him out of their sight.

The apostles fell down and worshipped Jesus, looking steadfastly after Him as He went up; and as they did so, two angels in white garments stood by them, and said, “Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven?  This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven.”  Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem.

Yes, Jesus has ascended to heaven, and now He sits at the right hand of God; but He tells us that He will come again, and take those that love Him to dwell with Him in His glorious home for ever and ever.  “I go to prepare a place for you,” Jesus says.

[Illustration:  Jesus ascending to heaven.]

THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER.

Paul and Silas were in prison.  They had done no wrong, but wicked men had taken them before the magistrates; and the magistrates had caused them to be severely beaten, and afterwards had sent them to prison, where they were securely fastened in an inner dungeon, and their feet made fast in the stocks.  This was a most painful position for Paul and Silas.  But they were not unhappy.  They prayed to God, and sang praises to Him; and they sang so heartily that the other prisoners heard them.  It was midnight, and all was dark in the prison.  But suddenly there was an earthquake; so that the foundations of the prison were shaken, all the doors were opened, and every one’s bonds were loosed.  All the prisoners might have run away had they been minded to do so.