Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 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. Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. (Matthew 4:23-25 NIV)
People are curious about crowds.
A car accident on the side of the road will grind traffic to a halt so everyone can look.
Crowds.
A sporting event will fill the stadium, especially for the final game of the season.
Crowds.
A music concert will draw people from all over, sometimes for days at a time.
Crowds.
A church with the right music, programs, and preacher can draw a large audience.
Crowds
Jesus drew crowds. His preaching was awesome. He healed better than any doctor. He changed weather patterns, water to wine, and would scare the demons right out of you. The result?
Crowds.
The thing is, while people are curious about crowds, crowds are enamored by flash and excitement. Crowds are also fickle. As soon as the excitement dies down, they aren't interested anymore. They may talk about the incident for awhile, but eventually the crowds disperse. They all leave.
While it's easy to look at the times in Jesus' life when he drew large crowds...and there were plenty of them. This week, we're going to look at the times when they left. Jesus told us, "...I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:20b NASB) When he said this, though, he was speaking to a group of people who had abandoned him in his greatest time of need. In fact, everyone in his day left Jesus. Not one of them stayed faithful to him all the way through his ministry.
What about you?
What about you?
Might leave the crowd; but, hopefully, not the Christ.
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