23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—he healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.

Matthew 4:23-25 (NLT)

Traveling man

Jesus traveled a lot, as we mentioned earlier. His goal was to reach the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 15:24) with the gospel, the good news about the Kingdom of Heaven. To accomplish this, He has started identifying disciples. He also needs to travel to different places to get in front of more people.

Teaching, Proclaiming, Healing

As He went from place to place, He did works to prove His identity and authority  and to bring glory to the Father (Matthew 5:16). But He didn’t just do miracles. Jesus had a 3-fold ministry: Teaching the Word of God; Proclaiming the good news of the Kingdom; Healing. Oh, to have been there to hear that teaching and see Him work.

“Jesus had a purpose for allowing such dramatic miracles to attract great multitudes. He wanted to teach the multitudes, not simply to impress them with miracles.” (enduringword.com)

Fame growing

It’s only natural that His fame would be growing – especially as He heals people everywhere He goes. Could you imagine that happening today? A man with the ability to heal every sickness comes to your city. Picture the lines of people waiting to be healed. Then see the crowds standing around (along with the reporters) watching it happen. And these are not stunts. The people are actually being healed! 

But of course, it’s not without opposition as we’ll see later. But next in Matthew we’ll get a good dose of the teaching.

All

What sticks out to me in this passage is a simple word – all. Our Lord healed all – all who were sick, all who were lame, all who were demon possessed. How many is all? Add to that, “large crowds” followed Him. He was quite busy. A picture comes to my mind of a stream of dirty water coming to a waterfall. After the waterfall, the stream is pure, clean water. Consider the power, the love, the mercy, the compassion that flowed from that man, our Savior!

Can, and does, He still do that today?

RЯeflection

• Are you suffering from some ailment – some sickness, infirmity? Maybe it’s mental or emotional. Do you believe Jesus healed when He was on earth? Do you think He still heals today? Can He do it without being present? It requires faith to believe. It also requires a repentant heart.
• Consider our Lord Jesus – His character, His power, His love. Worship Him!