“When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching…Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside.”
Matthew 7:28, 8:1 NLT
As news spread about Jesus, crowds began flocking to Him from all over Judea and Galilee. But only those who came in faith were changed forever!
Crowds are mentioned over 100 times in the Gospels. Jesus taught them, healed them, and fed them. Crowds were so amazed by Jesus that they searched for Him, waited for Him, spread their garments for Him, and gathered at the Temple every day to hear Him.
However, the crowds were not always friendly. As they milled around, some stepped on each other, and others told the blind to shut up. Not everyone in those crowds appreciated Jesus. Some criticized Him, some laughed at Him, and others deserted Him.
Yet, Jesus had compassion on the crowds because they were helpless and confused. In fact, some of the same crowd that shouted, “Hosanna!” as Jesus rode into Jerusalem, shouted, “Crucify Him!” only a few days later.
Interestingly, there were no crowds in the Upper Room when Jesus shared the Cup with His disciples. No crowds agonized with Jesus in Gethsemane, supported Him at the cross, or accompanied Him to the tomb. No crowds gathered on Sunday morning to see the stone rolled away. Sadly, the crowds missed Jesus’ resurrection, and ultimately missed relationship with the Risen Lord!
So be careful—Don't get lost in the wrong crowd!
