Many came to see Jesus, but why?

house in Capernaum. He wasn’t alone. As a matter of fact, there was a house full of people. Many came to say, “I’ve seen Him.” Others came to hear the doctrine He was teaching. Some were there to debate with Him. For sure, one man in particular was there to be healed of ailments. I’m going to try to group everyone who came into three groups.

First there was the Helpless. The paralytic man was helpless and desperate. He had what certainly seemed to be an incurable condition. Part of this was the fact that he had been paralyzed all of his life and he couldn’t do anything for himself physically. But more severe, because of his lack of faith in Jesus, he was spiritually dead. This was a condition that was brought on by the sin nature he was born with. It was a disease, just like any other, in that he couldn’t cure himself.

Then there were the Helpers. The Bible says there were men that had a great concern for the paralytic. They had a desire to bring the man to Christ. Their plan was not without struggle, but they worked together and had faith. They not only had faith that they would be able to get their friend to Christ, but also that Christ would heal him.

There were also the Hinderers. These are the people who made up the larger crowd that day. This group was mainly comprised of those who wanted to be able to say they had seen Him and those that wanted to debate with Him. They were standing between Jesus and the sick. They were concerned only for themselves. They questioned Jesus’ ability to forgive and to heal; yet I imagine that many of them claimed to be followers of Christ.

Finally, there was the Healer, Christ Himself. He proved His power to the hinderers when He healed the helpless, both spiritually and physically. By doing so, He rewarded the faith of the helpers.

Christ still has power today to forgive and to heal those who need Him, to bless those that labor in love for Him, and to restrain those who hinder His work.

Take time today and read through this very short passage. Ask God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to reveal to you which of the three people groups you’re in. Then if needed, ask Him to make changes in your life for your sake, the sake of those around you, but most importantly for Christ’s sake. Be Blessed.