The Crowds Surrounding Him

Matthew 4: 23-25

“23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming 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.”

Jesus began His ministry in Galilee. There, the crowds began to follow Him.  They followed Him to hear the good news of the kingdom and to be healed.  Christ was to be followed by large crowds much of His ministry.

They followed Him to the lakeside, they followed him into the hills and mountains, they followed him into the wilderness where there was no food or water, they followed him in the cities, they surrounded him during the day and in the night.  Once, the crowd was so thick that people cut a hole in the roof of the house where he was staying so that a person needing to be healed could be lowered to Him.

What is it that we seek from Jesus?  Over two thousand years have passed and the things that Christ offered the Galileans, healing and salvation, are still the things He offers us today.  

Christ is active in this world.  How badly do we want to be near him?

Are we willing to seek Him where He is, no matter the place; to cut a hole in His roof (figuratively speaking) to hear His words and to feel His touch?

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)