The Many and the Few

Jesus traveled throughout the region...teaching...and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom.  And he healed every kind of disease and illness.  News about him spread...and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick.  And whatever their sickness or disease,

or if they were demon possessed or or epileptic or paralyzed - he healed them all.

 Large crowds followed Him wherever He went...

Matthew 4:23-25

At the outset of Jesus' ministry, one thing he didn't have was a shortage of followers.  The word traveled like wildfire throughout Galilee and the surrounding regions about this itinerant rabbi who had both the power and the willingness to heal, whose teaching was so different from that of the Jewish scribes.  More and more people sought him out, bringing their problems with them.  Graciously, he healed them, even as he taught them about God's Kingdom.  As the word spread, the size of his ministry increased rapidly. As we shall see in future posts, it wasn't long before the size of his ministry actually presented serious logistical problems!

Still, this passage of scripture indicates that many, if not most, of these people came to Jesus primarily in the hope that He would give them an improved quality of life.  What they wanted was life without sickness, life without pain, life without conflicts, disease or mental instability - and they hoped Jesus would provide this.  The hope of comfort and ease never fails to draw a crowd.

This multitude stands in contrast to that small band of men whom Jesus called by name with the promise of showing them how to "fish for people."  Peter, Andrew, James and John did not come to Jesus expecting a life of convenience or ease.  In fact, these few - and the others whom Jesus would name as Apostles - gave up the comforts of family and the stability of regular income in order to simply be close to Jesus.  Their desire was to learn from him, and share in this great movement called the Kingdom.

This contrast begs me ask:  Why do I follow Jesus?  Of which group am I a part: the ones hoping for comforts, convenience and a life free from pain; or I am of those - called by name - who simply want to be with him, come what may, believing there is no better place to be - in this world or the next?