Large Crowds Followed

In what avenues do large crowds gather today? Sporting events, Olympics, concerts, musical festivals, church worship or events, opening day for Harry Potter or Twilight, and the list goes on. But what is it that large crowds are attracted to? Good music, entertainment, new intriguing storylines, people, and the list goes on.

On a whimsical thought today, I looked in the Bible and searched for the phrase "large crowds". And guess what..... they all were about Jesus. The large crowds were following Jesus. Why were they following Jesus? Some followed Jesus because they wanted to get healed. We see this in Matthew 8:1-4. Some followed Jesus because they wanted to be entertained. They wanted to see him perform miracles. Some followed because they truly believed He was the Son of God and they were interested in His teachings. Some followed to catch Him in His words, so they could bring accusations against Him. And the list goes on..... But for the most part large crowds followed because there was something about Jesus that people desired. "He taught as one who had authority....." (Mt 7:29), He had compassion on people (Mt 9:36), He fed people (Mt 14), He fed people spiritually, and the list goes on.

Why do you follow Jesus? Do you follow because you want to be entertained? Do you follow because your friends do? Do you follow because you want good food at church potlucks? And the list goes on.

BB