When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. Matthew 14:14 NABRE
Matthew writes about Jesus getting the news that John the Baptist has been killed. John was the voice calling out the coming of the Messiah and pointing to Jesus as the Lamb of God. Early in scripture we read John is the cousin of Jesus. In many ways Jesus and John had a very special relationship. Jesus knew John most of His life it seems and He counted on John for the beginning announcements of His own ministry. So John’s death would have touched Jesus very deeply. Matthew writes that when Jesus heard the news of John’s death he went off on his own. It was common for Jesus to refuel or pray in private, we see an example in the Garden of Gethsemane (see Mathew 26:36-46.) Now it seems Jesus wants to be alone to mourn the loss of John the Baptist but the crowd doesn’t allow Him. He goes by boat across the Sea of Galilee and when He disembarks there is a crowd, we learn later there were five thousand men, plus women and children. These are people seeking Jesus because they want something from Him, in all likelihood they want to be healed. Jesus sees them and has pity for them. We are not given the reason for the piety, only that Jesus is moved to pity.
They were all seeking something, a better life, better health, a leader worthy of their trust and respect. Jesus has come to be the answer to all these things, his miracles had become known and so wanting a cure or a better life people sought out Jesus. He would later tell them it is the Word of God that they should seek, it is God who they should look to for leadership, it is God who will give them a better life. Jesus entire message points to God as the answer for life.
What do you seek? Where do you seek it?
It is the Word of God that we should seek, it is God who we should look to for leadership, it is God who will give them us a better life. Jesus entire message points to God as the answer for life. Click To Tweet#bible’#godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #rest #heal #Matthew #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #pray #prayer #goodnews #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways