HE HEALED THEIR SICK

"And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick." (Matthew 14:14)

THE MINISTRY OF JOHN THE BAPTIST had come to a conclusion. He finished what he was appointed to do – making ready a people, prepared for the Lord. After witnessing a lustful dance by his wife's daughter, and at the behest of his wicked wife, Herod "sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother" (14:10-11). It was a sad moment. The disciples of John "came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus." How this must have touched the heart of our great Lord. This was the man who baptized Him, and with Him witnessed the Holy Spirit descending and remaining upon Him. He heard with Him the voice of the Father, speaking out of heaven in tribute to His Son.

THIS WAS NO TIME FOR THE PRESSING MULTITUDES, so Jesus, upon hearing the news, "withdrew from there in a boat, to a lonely place by Himself (14:13). Mark says "they departed into a desert place by ship privately" (Mk 6:32). Luke says it was "a desert place belonging to the city called Bethsaida" (Lk 9:10). There were times like that, when Jesus would abandon human involvements in preference for heavenly ones (Matt 15:29; Mk 6:46; John 6:15). The lonely garden of Gethsemane is described as a place where Jesus "ofttimes resorted" (John 18:2). Even then, however, the people would gravitate to him because of His unparalleled ministry among them.

ONE TIME, WHEN JESUS HAD WITHDRAWN from the multitudes and they could not find Him in Tiberias, "they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus" (John 6:22-23). Another time, during a feast day, "the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, Where is He?" (John 7:11). Another time His disciples told Him, "All men seek for thee" (Mark 1:37). Still another time, after He had returned from the country of the Gadarenes, where He healed a Gadarene demoniac, "the people gladly received Him: for they were all waiting for Him" (Lk 8:40).

SOMETHING OF THAT KIND OF EAGERNESS is seen in our text. When the crowds heard that Jesus had withdrawn, and knew where He had gone, "they followed him on foot from the towns" (NIV). No one apparently thought of the oppressive heat in the "desert place" to which the Lord retreated. They did not consider how difficult it would be to walk there with sick and infirm people. Mark tells us the people got to this isolated place before Jesus and His disciples did. They "ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto Him" (Mk 6:33). For the first time in their lives, they had confronted a Man who could do something about their condition, and they were eager to be with Him. That, of course, is still the case. Those who know Jesus can correct their condition will come to Him without any hesitation, even if it is at great personal inconvenience. Those who have no interest in Jesus, or driving compulsion to be within His presence, simply do not think there is any personal advantage in being with Him. That is why they do not extend themselves to receive anything from Him, or to be among those who know Him.

OUR TEXT SAYS THAT JESUS saw this vast multitude coming to Him. Actually, Mark tells us they came to the Master as He was getting out of the boat. "And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude" (Mk 6:34, NKJV). Alas, he had come there to be alone after hearing of the death of the one who prepared the way for Him, John the Baptist. Now the people have arrived at the secluded place before He and His disciples. How will all of this effect Him? Will He be angered that He cannot have so much as a few moments alone? Will He chide the multitude for imposing themselves upon Him? How will the Savior of men react to them?

MATTHEW SAYS, He "moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick." His great heart was moved with sympathy and pity for the people. There were many sick among them, who had struggled to see Him, even though infirm in body. They came to see Him when they were sick, but they would leave whole and in soundness and health! Jesus often "healed their sick" in massive numbers (Matt 4:24; Matt 8:16; Mk 1:34; Lk 4:40).

MARK SAYS He "was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and He began to teach them many things" (Mk 6:34). That vast multitude were perceived by Jesus as wounded and helpless sheep, with no other helper. But they had come to Him, and He would meet their need! That is His nature. Later He would declare, "him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37). That holds true of multitudes as well as individuals.

LUKE SAYS, "He received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing" (Lk 9:11). Both Mark and Luke take note of Jesus teaching the shepherdless multitude. He healed the sick first, so they could also profit from His teaching without distraction.

IF EVER A PEOPLE, or an individual, obtain an interest in Jesus that cannot be smothered or suppressed, they will NOT come away from Him disappointed. He still has compassion!

– Given O. Blakely