[simple_tooltip content=’35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him. 37 When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.” 38 But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.” 39 And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.’]Mark 1:35-39[/simple_tooltip]; [simple_tooltip content=’42 Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; 43 but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” 44 And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.‘]Luke 4:42-44[/simple_tooltip]
And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. (Mark 1:37)
Jesus’ ministry was only a few months old and masses of people were seeking Him out. This is astonishing when you realize that Jesus did not use any of the conventional methods of publicity. He had already rejected publicity during His first ministry in Jerusalem. [simple_tooltip content=’24 But Jesus did not commit Himself to them, because He knew all men, 25 and had no need that anyone should testify of man, for He knew what was in man.’](John 2:24-25)[/simple_tooltip] There was no natural explanation for Jesus’ success.
God is the one who promoted Jesus, and He used supernatural means to do it. It was not the slick techniques of Madison Avenue that brought the crowds; it was the awesome manifestation of God’s power. Just the day before, Jesus had cast a demon out of a man at the synagogue in Capernaum. [simple_tooltip content=’21 Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. 22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out, 24 saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!” 26 And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him. 27 Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.” 28 And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.’](Mark 1:21-28)[/simple_tooltip] This caused the whole city to gather at Peter’s house where Jesus healed every one. [simple_tooltip content=’40 When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them.’](Luke 4:40)[/simple_tooltip]
Jesus’ display of the miraculous power of God was the spark that the Holy Spirit used to light a fire in the hearts of these people. Jesus had this power because of His intimate relationship with His Father. He was in continual communion with Him. When He wasn’t ministering to the people, He was in prayer with His Father.
As you seek to touch others with the new life you’ve found in Christ, understand that God will bring them to you if you allow Him to work supernaturally through you. Decide today that you will open your mind and heart to the power of the Holy Spirit, and let God confirm His Word with signs and wonders and miracles through you. It is easy to lead people to Jesus after they are healed, delivered, and given the wisdom they need in His name!
