I am not much of a crowd person. I suppose it goes back to a time when I was in a parking ramp after a huge concert got out. It was bumper to bumper the whole way down…and I’m not a huge fan of parking ramps in the first place. But I do like the energy a crowd can bring when gathered for a common goal. Like in worship. When the music is so loud you can hardly hear yourself singing…but you know everyone around you is singing their heart out. I like that. When your football team scores a touchdown, and you’re in the stands shouting and jumping up and down with everyone else. I like that, too.
What are your feelings or thoughts about crowds? What do you picture when you see crowds around Jesus?
His ministry was now underway. He was traveling about teaching, healing, and announcing the Good News. John the Baptist had told people someone great was coming, and now here he was. Jesus the Messiah was here. People were talking as people do. There was quite a buzz. Word had reached as far away as Syria.
Jesus had quite a following. We hear how people were bringing their sick, demon-possessed, seizure ridden, and paralyzed loved ones. Jesus was healing them all. It almost sounds like it could have been an assembly line with Jesus as the master physician. But Jesus welcomed everyone. Nobody was turned away. That is the kind of Savior we follow.
Jesus helped everyone. He showed his love and acceptance. He came as savior for the world, not just for Jews, not just for the healthy and strong. He had attracted crowds of people who were following him wherever he went. People were coming from far and near.
In these short verses, we can get such a picture of Jesus’ loving character and his desire to teach people about his Kingdom. What we see here was probably a good indication of what a day in the life of Jesus looked like. It was busy with travel, teaching, and healing. It could get exhausting. But this is what Jesus had come to do.
How clear are you on your own mission? Do you have a pattern or routine that you follow? How does Jesus fit into your routine? Unfortunately, we can’t see him face to face like the people in our reading today. But we can call on him, we can bring him our troubles and our sicknesses. He is there for us even though we cannot see him.
We, too, can share with others how Jesus has changed our lives. Like the people in the reading were spreading the news, it’s our job now. Lives are being impacted every day by Jesus’ life-giving power, his forgiveness, his healing touch. It’s up to us to spread this Good News and not keep it to ourselves. We need to be bold in proclaiming our allegiance and devotion to the Messiah.
Let’s pray. Lord, you are so deserving of my adoration and praise. Forgive me when I keep your majesty and humility to myself. You deserve crowds following you today, too. Help us to reach out to those around us sharing your love and your story. Help us welcome others into your family giving them hope for the future. I am so thankful for your promise of salvation. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
