JESUS AND THE PRESS
Jesus' ministry drew crowds. Scripture gives two critical facets of His ministry that were responsible for that outcome.
- His teaching of the Word of God – Luke 5:1.
- His healing power and the miracles He performed – Mark 2:4; 3:10-11; 5:27.
These crowds often pressed upon Jesus. At times this press:
- Limited people's ability to get close to Him – Mark 2:4, Luke 8:19; 19:3.
- Caused people to take desperate measures to get to Him – Mark 2:4.
NOTEWORTHY EXAMPLES
The Bible shares several stories of folks who were initially hindered by the pressing crowds as they tried to reach Jesus, including:
- The folks who brought the man afflicted with the palsy to the Capernaum house where Jesus was teaching – Mark 2:1-4.
- The woman with the issue of blood – Mark 5:24-30.
- The tax-collector Zacchaeus – Luke 19:2-3.
Each one of them had to take action, sometimes extraordinary action, in their efforts to overcome the press that stood between themselves and Jesus.
- Tearing a roof off a house and lowering a paralyzed man into it – Mark 2:4.
- Dealing with the physicality of a moving animated crowd while in a severely weakened physical condition – Luke 8:43-45.
- Zacchaeus had to expose himself to people who hated him because he was in league with the Romans and collected their onerous taxes by climbing up a tree in full view of the crowd – Luke 19:1-4.
THEIR TESTIMONY
These folks had to deal with the pressing crowds around Jesus, but all of them would declare it a small effort compared to what they received: physical healing and spiritual transformation. And they would say to each of us, no matter the challenges we face today, press through to Jesus. He has what you need. It is worth the press.
These words are meant to be an encouragement and blessing. If you find them to be that, please comment by clicking on reply.