January 17

I have compassion on the multitude. — Matt 15:32

No sickness could continue in Christ’s presence. From far and near people came with their friends and neighbors – the blind, the lame, the dumb, and not one went away unhealed. Jesus is still the fountain of healing. He uses physicians and means, but He is always the Healer.

Jesus thought not only of people’s spiritual needs, but also of their physical wants. The multitude had been three days with him in the desert, where they could not buy food, and were very hungry. Jesus showed consideration for them – He could not send them away fasting. He did not create food enough to four thousand hungry men, but took what they had already and, blessing it, made it enough to supply all their want. We must do what we can, and then God will come and we shall be cared for. We should watch against the influence of wrong teaching. If we let the words of Christ stay in our hearts they will make our lives good, true, pure, holy, and loving.