Andrew looked anxiously at Jesus. "O Master, don't...."
Jesus looked at him. "Courage, Andrew! Make certain that they see and hear everything that happens."
People stepped back respectfully as the scribes and Pharisees came in. Jesus paid no special attention. He had turned to the people who stood before him.
"I have been sent by God with news," he began. "If you are poor, you can be rich if you will humble your heart and trust God."
He saw a man covered with sores. "Are you unclean?" he said, looking at him. "God will accept you. You are clean in his sight if your heart is turned toward him.
"Are you full of fears and worries? Come unto me, all of you that are burdened in spirit, and I will give you rest."
There were many outside the house who could not get in because there was no room. Among them were four men carrying a stretcher. On it lay a man who was helpless from paralysis. His body had wasted away to skin and bone. His four friends had heard about Jesus' power, but now they stood in front of the house in dismay.
"We can never get in," said one.
"There's no use waiting until they leave," said another.
"Let's take him back," said the first, discouraged.