After
this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as
the Sea of Tiberias. A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because
they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick. John 6:1-2 
The Sea of Galilee
Israel
But
the crowds found out where he was going, and they followed him. He welcomed
them and taught them about the Kingdom of God, and he healed those who were
sick. Luke
9:11
Meditate.
Read these passages again. Consider the crowds.
I
don’t like crowds. Maybe I should say that I am just uncomfortable around big
groups. I guess it comes from growing up on a farm where I had lots of my own
space…and living near a small town with less than 2,000 people. There were only
44 in my graduating high school class. Less is more to me. I don’t opt to attend
big gatherings like baseball or football games with 10,000 other people. Several
years ago, I did go to a women’s conference with my daughter and 5,000 ladies. The
crowd wasn’t too overwhelming; the lines weren’t too long. I was OK. How do you
feel about crowds, about crowded situations? You can understand why Jesus
wanted to escape the multitudes that were following Him. They were really crowding
Him, wanting to get close to request His healing and to touch Him. People will
do just about anything to be healed of some physical ailment.
Jesus
showed compassion to this throng of people. Luke tells us that He welcomed
them, taught them, and healed them. That is caring and loving. That was one
of Jesus’ strong characteristics. Love. Love demonstrated with miraculous
signs. People today still pray, asking Jesus for cures, for a healing touch,
and mercy. What do you most talk about with Jesus as you pray? Is it adoration,
confession, asking for stuff or healing, or genuine thanksgiving? A balance of
all those would be good. If it is just the “give me” requests, then you may
want to reconsider your priorities in your relationship to Jesus.
Prayer
– Lord Jesus, I do adore You. I am continually in awe of You and all that You
are. You taught others that we should pray, ‘Lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil,’ but it is human nature to sin—and I am no better than
anyone else. I have fallen short of Your glory. Please forgive me for my rebellious,
selfish sin. Thank you for Your faithfulness, compassion, and most of all,
love. Thanks for answered prayers—and even for the unanswered requests. I trust
You and Your plan for our future.,
Verse
of Salvation ~ Jesus said to the people who believed in him, "You are
truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know
the truth, and the truth will set you free." "But we are descendants
of Abraham," they said. "We have never been slaves to anyone. What do
you mean, 'You will be set free'?" Jesus replied, "I tell you the
truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin. A slave is not a permanent member
of the family, but a son is part of the family forever. So if the Son sets you
free, you are truly free." John
8:31-36
Glorious
July 4th to everyone in the USA
250
Years of Freedom
Praise
and Thank the Lord!
© 2026 Text, photos, and illustrations by Mickey M. Hunacek. All
rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT) unless
otherwise noted.
New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale
House Foundation.
Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream,
Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm.
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