1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went into the region of Judea to the other side of the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.
In our verses for today, we once again see the Lord Jesus being followed by throngs of needy people - ever hoping for a healing touch from the great Physician. Aren’t we all needy apart from the Lord Jesus? Sadly, some people simply fail to realize this Truth. Jesus looked with eyes of compassion upon all – not simply the physically infirmed - as being harassed and helpless as sheep without a shepherd. Indeed the harvest was and is plentiful:
35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Matt 9:35-38 (NIV)
“It is shocking to reflect that a change in the weather has more effect on some men's lives than the dread alternative of heaven or hell. A woman's glance affects them more than the eye of God. We cannot, however, be content with this; we labor that those around us may savingly believe by putting their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the grand saving act: The man brings his soul and commits it to Christ for safe keeping, and that entrusting of the soul to Jesus saves him. He makes the Saviour trustee of his spiritual estates, and leaves himself and all his eternal interests in those dear hands which once were nailed to the cross. Oh, how we long to see the Holy Spirit bringing men to this, that they may believe in Jesus Christ by resting in Him and trusting upon Him. For this we live, for this we would be content to die, that many might believe.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“Nothing has contributed more powerfully to wean me from all that held me down to earth than the thought...of death and the last judgment.” Augustine
Those that were flocking to Him in our verses for today, on the other hand, had pressing physical needs of which they were more than fully aware of. Being ever faithful to His mission, our Lord heals them showing Himself to be Who He had claimed – confirming His Deity through His miraculous works. His healing ministry was for the purpose of authenticating His Person. We discover the condition of the likes of those often flocking after the Healer earlier in Matthew and the verses indeed paint quite a dark picture of hopelessness – again, we are all hopeless apart from Christ even if our bodies are whole:
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. Matt 4:23-24 (NIV)
Jesus knew it was paramount in the minds of His Jewish hearers for His walk to match His talk. His works would be expected to be equal to His claim of being the Messiah and equal they were. Jesus continues to remain in the business of healing those who seek Him - often physically yet always spiritually. The present tense of the verbs in the below verses remind us that we are to keep asking, to keep seeking and to keep knocking. Our Father in heaven delights in bestowing good gifts to His children – every good and perfect gift is from above. Laboring prayers are never in vain. One who comes to Jesus for salvation will in by no means be driven away. Our Lord tells us in the Sermon on the Mount:
7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matt 7:7-8 (NIV)
“God never tires of giving.” William Still
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)
37 All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. John 6:36-37 (NIV)
“Faith in God will always be crowned.” William S. Plummer