Great Crowds Follow Jesus
As Jesus began teaching and healing those in his midst, people took notice and started sharing the news of Jesus’ wisdom and power. Crowds began to collect wherever he would go just to get a glimpse of him, hear his words, or touch his garment with hope of healing or liberation from their oppressions or ailments. There were a multitude of people traveling to find Jesus and they saw miracles of healing, resurrections, feedings of those hungry, and much more.
Jesus took notice of those who came, like the woman who was healed after touching Jesus’ garment. He took time to see them and acknowledge them as a child of God, despite their differences, cleanliness, health status, or life choices. Jesus notices everyone and loves them for the person they are and offers grace. Jesus loves us all as we are and offers that undeserved grace to us as well. Thanks be to God!
Luke 8:42b-45 - As he (Jesus) went, the crowds pressed in on him. Now there was a woman who had been suffering from hemorrhages for twelve years; and though she has spent all she had on physicians, no one could cure her. She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his clothes, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped. Then Jesus asked, “Who touched me?”
Prayer: For All Sorts and Conditions
O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly ask for all sorts and conditions of men and women; that you would be pleased to make your ways known to them, your saving health to all nations. More especially we pray for your holy Church universal; that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life. Finally, we commend to your goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate; that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.
(Book of Common Prayer, 1979; pg. 814-815.)
Ponderings…
How might you, like Jesus, take notice of those around you? What could you do to acknowledge them and offer them grace? How might you respect your differences and still offer compassion?
Illustrations used with permission. Copyright information for print above: Illustration by Elizabeth Wang, R-60034-CW, ‘Great Crowds Followed Him’, copyright © Radiant Light 2006, <http://www.radiantlight.org.uk/>
