When Jesus saw the people he felt a compassion for them, a love for them. And that loved compelled him to preach to them about the good news. He
also had the ability to cure the sick, the lame; the blind, the deaf, even raise the dead. But he never went around show-boating his powers. In
fact, Jesus was very quiet about the way he healed people. One of his early miracles involved that of a leper for whom he felt compassion for. After
healing the man, which he did in a discreet way, not wanting to draw attention to himself he commanded the man to “see that you tell nobody a
thing.”2
Apparently the leper did not obey Jesus’ command to keep things hushed because the news about Jesus miracle spread far and wide. But why did he not
want the man to go and proclaim what Jesus had done? It was because he was a humble man, not wanting honor or glory for himself. A prophecy was made
long before that foretold the type of personality he would display while on earth:
Look! My servant, on whom I keep fast hold! My chosen one, [whom] my soul has approved! I have put my spirit in him. Justice to the nations is what he
will bring forth. He will not cry out or raise [his voice], and in the street he will not let his voice be heard. No crushed reed will he break; and
as for a dim flaxen wick, he will not extinguish it. In trueness he will bring forth justice. He will not grow dim nor be crushed until he sets
justice in the earth itself; and for his law the islands themselves will keep waiting.
Today so-called “faith healers” show-boat their “powers” and make a showy display for all to see, many times exacting money from the people,
and always, always putting the emphasis on themselves. I find this to be the case with almost all the religious leaders today. I turned on the TV
not long ago and as I was turning the channels I stopped on one televangelist and he was saying, “I wrote this book, me, I am great, listen to me, I
will show you, me, me, me, I am great, me.” How different that man’s attitude was compared to the humble Jesus. Even many non-religious people
are so wrapped up in themselves that you always hear them talking about how great they are, and how wise they are, and how smart they are.
Another example is of when Jesus was about to be put to death. He annoyed people because he loved the truth, and spoke the truth. The people wanted
to kill him because of his love for the truth.
Jesus himself said he had legions of angels at his disposal he could call on at a moments notice. He need not fear any humans. When once he was
speaking the truth to the people, they tried to stone him. What did he do? Did he give them a mighty display of his great abilities? Did he call on
the angels to avenge himself? No. He simply hid himself from their view and ran away. Here is without a doubt the greatest man who ever lived. THE
MAN. What does he do? He runs away from the confrontation. How many people who avoid trouble, or run away from trouble-makers are considered men?
Well, the real man, THE MAN, that is what he did.
Jesus was such a gentle and kind person that people of all sorts came to him and felt at ease with him. Even the little children felt comfortable
with him. Once when children were approaching Jesus his disciples were trying to keep them away from him. But he reprimanded them and said,
““Let the young children come to me; do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to suchlike ones. Truly I say to YOU, Whoever does
not receive the kingdom of God like a young child will by no means enter into it.” 5
Another account of Jesus’ love for people that really touched me was when an old woman touched his outer garment. The gospel writer tells us that
she had a flow of blood for twelve years that had not stopped. She had spent all her money on doctors who could not cure her.
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