Mark – God is on our side!
Our son in law has a job at a large venue in our city. He is responsible for bringing in high profile people, sports teams, music icons, as well as home fairs, RV shows and much more. You name it, it will probably come to this venue at some point. He is very good at his work so many contracts are produced with well known celebrities that bring in crowds to see who or what they have been waiting to see in person.
The building can host multiple events at one time! So, crowd control is always an issue to be dealt with so that traffic does not bog down preventing a dead lock or slow down in our city because of people trying to get to the event. He and the staff are very organized as they move crowds of people in and out of the building in a timely manner. It is nothing short of amazing.
Word has spread about The Healer, Jesus Christ. People are coming from cities and towns many miles away to get close enough to get a glimpse of Him. Hope of healing drives most of the people to Jesus. They do not know that His real mission is to save them and restore their relationship with God. They only know they are sick in need of being well again.What about those who stayed home? It is interesting to think about those who did not come. Can you imagine the “talk of the town”? “Come with us to see Jesus!” “We have heard that He can heal people with just His word or touch!” “You have been suffering for years, why not see what He can do for you?” But they refuse. Those who did not come, shake their heads and accept their illness as life. “He probably can’t heal or restore me.”
There are many today who think the same thing. Many think, what could Jesus possibly do for me? Are you one of them?
Mark 3, NLT
Crowds Follow Jesus
7 Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, 8 Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him.9 Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him. 10 He had healed many people that day, so all the sick people eagerly pushed forward to touch him. 11 And whenever those possessed by evil spirits caught sight of him, the spirits would throw them to the ground in front of him shrieking, “You are the Son of God!” 12 But Jesus sternly commanded the spirits not to reveal who he was.
GOING DEEPER STILL…
No matter where He went, God’s Servant was thronged by excited crowds. Had Jesus been a “celebrity” and not a servant, He would have catered to the crowds and tried to please them. Instead, He withdrew from the crowds and began to minister especially to His disciples. Jesus knew that most of the people who pushed to get near Him were shallow and insincere, but His disciples did not know this. To avoid these mean from taking this “success” seriously, Jesus had to teach these men the truth about the crowds and the kingdom. Tomorrow…Jesus teaches us how God works and what is necessary before doing anything of significance.
Dear Heavenly Father, Lord and Savior,
We come to you this morning with humble hearts with expectancy to hear You. You have redeemed us. You have provided for our needs in all ways. You have protected us from the evil one more times than I can count. He have restored my soul and made me whole after being broken. You are Lord of my life. Not for a minute do I regret coming to you for healing, salvation and restoration. Continue to transform me for I am still a work in progress until I see You face to face in all your glory. I am one of the crowd!
In Jesus Name, Amen
