23. Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.24. News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.25. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.
5:1. Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 2. His disciples came to him, and he began to teach them, saying:
Notice what was on the mind and heart of Jesus that caused Him to sit and begin teaching. He saw the crowds. People from all over were following Him; some out of curiosity, but mostly because they were being healed. The whole story of God's revelation is a story of God's love.
There is no reason why He should save us, except for His glory and that we might know His love. His love sent Christ to us, and love brings us to God. The Bible records that Jesus saw the multitudes and had compassion on them. It is said that He went preaching the good news, proclaiming the hope of the kingdom. He wants us to join Him for all eternity and paid our way to get there.
When Jesus needed rest, it isn't surprising that He went up to the mountain to get away from the crowd. Some could not follow there, especially those too sick to climb or to be carried up, but some continued to follow. When Jesus saw their determination, He sat down and gave more concentrated instruction to them.
In that day a rabbi would walk and teach, but when he sat down with his followers it was for official, significant instructions. It was the custom of that day; the rabbi sat while the others stood around and listened. Jesus was officially laying out the manifesto for His Kingdom. It wasn't only the special disciples listening in. Others heard Him too, but the words were for the followers of Christ. A disciple is a learner, a follower of Jesus and if you seek to learn and follow Him, this is for us in our day.
Love causes us as parents to want to train the children, discipline them, instruct them. It is an unloving parent that leaves the children to fend for themselves. Love is what motivates us to give time and energy to their well-being physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. Parents that really love their children need to make sacrifices and efforts to see them grow spiritually.
I remember, as a parent, my emotions turned to terror when in large crowds at Disney World, we lost our oldest son. I had heard the horror stories of little children being kidnapped in crowds, never to be seen again. Imagination runs away in our minds.
For our youngest, it was at the county fair. Pigs seemed more interesting to him than the displays in the room. He wandered away.
In seeking to save the lost, many have their attention captured by other attractions and leave the Creator's protection and care. Many do not even know they are lost. It was love that brought Jesus to seek the lost. And love caused Him to view the people and sit and teach important lessons to his children.
How much do we love the lost and those ignorant of God’s truth? Missions’ organizations have workers who want and are willing to go, but do not have the funds to go. We spend so much money on entertainment and hobbies in comparison to outreach and evangelism. When sin around us causes broken homes and people who are sick, addicted and lost do we close our eyes to them?
Application: Each one of you is so loved of God - far more than any human could love you. He died to prove it.
Prayer: Lord God, you sent your son into our world to seek and save those who are lost. Give us eyes to see and a heart of compassion.
