He Healed the Sick

When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick (Matthew 14:13-14).

The word for ‘sick’ literally means ‘to be weak, without strength’. The context tells you if a person was sick physically, mentally, emotionally, or spiritually. Remember, Jesus was ministering in Capernaum before He and the disciples left for Bethsaida. It was a 4 mile journey. Jesus and the disciples took a boat. Those who followed Jesus walked around the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee. Some of them, according to this text, were ‘sick’ - they were weak; they were without strength. Many, if not most of the people were sick spiritually - they were lost, dead in trespasses and sin. Some were sick physically, even mentally and emotionally. But they were willing to walk 4 miles to get to Jesus. What does that tell you?

Despite the spiritual apathy of some and the antagonistic hatred of others, there are people who are desperate for Jesus. If the Christian church can ‘get its act together’ spiritually and if Jesus is the focus of the church, then people will find their way to Him through us.

I am reminded of the 4 friends who went to extremes to get their paralytic friend to Jesus for healing (Mark 2:1-5). I think of the woman who suffered with a blood disorder (Matthew 9:20-21) and what she was willing to do to be healed, or the two blind men (Matthew 9:27-29). Not only does this describe the spirit of those who have been awakened by the Holy Spirit to the truth and life of Jesus Christ that they would come to Him for grace and mercy, forgiveness, and salvation, but also for those who are Christian that they would strive to do all they can to remain in the presence and power of Jesus Christ their Lord.

(Philippians 3:7-11) But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.

“Thank You, Lord, that You can be found by those hungering and thirsting for righteousness. Thank You that Your Holy Spirit still draws people to the cross whereby they can find forgiveness of sin and salvation in You. Continue to let Your light shine through us to those around us who are seeking the way to You. May You be honored in our efforts. Amen.”

Pastor