Rachel Workman:
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Matthew
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Mark
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Luke
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John
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24 News about him spread as far
as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And
whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or
epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed him
wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns,[h] Jerusalem, from all over Judea,
and from east of the Jordan River.
5 One day as he saw the crowds
gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His disciples
gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.
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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[a] 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.13 Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. |
17 When they came down from the mountain, the disciples
stood with Jesus on a large, level area, surrounded by many of his followers
and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem
and from as far north as the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had
come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those troubled by
evil[b] spirits were healed.
19 Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power went out from him,
and he healed everyone. |
I know this reading is a
repeat, but I'm still amazed when I try to envision the crowds and Jesus just
touching them and healing them. A touch is all it took. Can you imagine?
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Mike Grimm:
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Matthew
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Mark
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Luke
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John
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24 News about him
spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were
sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed
or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. Christ can heal us, not
just of physical sickness, but of spiritual sickness as well. There’s no sin
or problem too great or too small for Him to handle. Jesus’ words were good
news because they offered freedom, hope, peace of heart, and eternal life
with God. 25 Large
crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns,[h] Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the
Jordan River.
5 One day as he
saw the crowds gathering, Jesus went up on the mountainside and sat down. His
disciples gathered around him, 2 and he began to teach them.
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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. While Jesus was drawing fire from the religious
leaders, He was gaining great popularity among the people. Some were curious,
some sought healing, some wanted evidence to use against Him, and others
wanted to know if Jesus truly was the Messiah.
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[a] spirits caught sight of him, the spirits would throw
them to the ground in front of him shrieking, “You are the Son of God!” The evil spirits knew that Jesus was the son of God, but
they refused to turn from their evil purposes. Knowing about Jesus, or even
believing that He is God’s Son, does not guarantee salvation. You must also
want to follow and obey Him.
12 But Jesus sternly commanded the spirits not to reveal who he was. Jesus warned the evil spirits not to reveal His identity
because He did not want them to reinforce a popular misconception. The huge
crowds were looking for a political or military leader who would free them
from Rome’s control, and they thought that the Messiah predicted by the Old
Testament prophets would be this kind of man. Jesus wanted to teach the
people about the kind of Messiah He really was – one who was far different
from their expectations. Christ’s kingdom is spiritual. It begins not with
the overthrow of governments, but with the overthrow of sin in people’s
hearts. 13 Afterward Jesus went
up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him.
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17 When they came down from the mountain, the
disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area, surrounded by many of his
followers and by the crowds. There were people from all over Judea and from
Jerusalem and from as far north as the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon.
18 They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those
troubled by evil[b] spirits were healed. 19 Everyone tried to touch
him, because healing power went out from him, and he healed everyone. For many Christ became a symbol of good fortune, a lucky
charm, or a magician. Instead of desiring God’s pardon and love, they only
wanted physical healing or a chance to see spectacular events. This continues
even today. But God is not a magician-He is the Master. Prayer is not a way
for us to control God; it is a way for us to put ourselves under His control.
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