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12 Now during those days he (Jesus), went out to the mountain to pray; and spent the night in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them to whom he also named his apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

17 He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases, and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. 19 And all of the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.

 

Jesus has been on the mountain and had come down with a decision on the names of his apostles. These would be the men who would carry out the holy mission to all who they would encounter. When the description of the crowd is given, it seems like it must have looked like a sea of people who wanted to hear, see and touch Jesus so they could be healed in body, mind and spirit. The paragraphs after this reading in my Bible are described as the Sermon on the Plain. It is very familiar to a passage in Matthew known as the Sermon on the Mount. They are “collections of memorized words of Jesus to instruct Christian converts”.

 

Jesus knew that there would be a large number of people he would heal. At this time in history, there was high mortality at a young age and if one lived until adulthood, the lifespan of an adult was 40-50 years. Being cured of a dreaded disease meant a longer life and also greater possibility of a better life for your family also. However, it seems like the mass of people was probably a shock to the new apostles. Jesus was giving a message simply and directly to his new flock and is instructing his apostles as well. What beautiful words and actions of hope and comfort were available.

 

Let us pray - Dear Lord, Let us turn to you daily to heal us in mind, body and spirit. Let your words bring us comfort so that we may share your message with others we encounter each day. Amen.

 

Cindy Dougherty

beachspch@aol.com

 

Prayer Concern - School is out for summer. Remember to visit a church of your choice while you are on vacation. Enjoy a family of Christ wherever you go.

 

Alternative verses - Proverbs 4:10-27, Psalm 105:1-11, 37-45