15 Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
The news about Jesus spread like a raging fire in the driest season. Crowds were coming from everywhere to be healed of their diseases. You can only imagine the horrible plight of the throngs approaching Jesus for His healing touch. Matthew tells us: 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. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him. Matt 4:23-25 (NIV)
Can you even surmise the mayhem these newly selected disciples were experiencing? The need had to be overwhelming for them. I love what Jesus does first following this scene in the Matthew passage. Matthew 5:1 goes on to say: 1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them. Matt 5:1-2 (NIV)
He begins to teach them! This is truly a lesson for us all! Before we can help ANYBODY, we need time at Jesus’ feet. Just as Jesus often withdrew to pray and to be refueled by His Father, so we too must be filled with His teaching. The Bible tells us the following truth: 19 Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.
20 He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Psalms 107:19-20 (NIV)
God’s word heals. There is power that lies within His precious word. Paul tells us: 16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Tim 3:16-17 (NIV)
Thoroughly equipped – great words used here! The word translated “Thoroughly” is the Greek word “Artios” meaning complete, sufficient, and competent. The word translated “Equipped” is the Greek word “Exartizo” meaning to complete entirely – to furnish or fit completely. When God says it, God does it! He is totally thorough and complete – isn’t that reassuring? Don’t flippantly run over this point. When you have a need, Jesus, the Word, can meet it. He can satisfy your every need. That’s how much He loves you. He gave up His own life so that you might live. That’s how much He wants you to see that you are His child and that you mean that much to Him. As Paul so succinctly puts it: I can do everything through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:13 (NIV)