Seek Jesus, Not A Crowd

Have you ever noticed in the scriptures that Jesus is never trying to gather a crowd?  In fact, he seems to always be trying to avoid being the center of attention.  Over and over, he tells recipients of miracles worked by his hands, "Go your way and tell no one."  Of course, they always did, because who could hold in such marvelous happenings, especially if it has changed your life drastically.  Imagine being blind all of your life and now you have sight, or being lame and dependent upon others for everything and now you are mobile with full use of your legs.  Imagine your child laying dead and now she's alive again!  Such things could not be held inside.

This is so opposite to our Christian methods today, in that, we are always trying to come up with another gimmick or event to draw crowds.  We tell ourselves that if we can get the people there, then they will find Christ.  It sounds good and even in our hearts, we believe it is the way to reach the multitudes for God.  However, we humans tend to work our efforts in the carnal, flesh realm of our being.  We are also fooled into thinking that if there are many who attend a church service or Christian event then it proves that we have done a great thing for God.

Jesus was so unconcerned about drawing crowds that on one occasion, thousands had followed him to listen to his teaching.  There were men, women and children in that huge crowd.  The disciples told Jesus that they did not have enough money to buy bread that each person could have even a little.  A small boy offered his five loaves of bread and two fish.  Jesus took the food offered and told the disciples to have all the people sit down.  Now it doesn't take a mathematician to figure out that five loaves of bread and two fish would not be enough for five thousand people to have a bite each, but Jesus took the offering, gave thanks and then began to break off pieces to be handed out.  Not only was there enough for each person in the crowd but the disciples gathered twelve baskets of leftovers!  (John 6:1-15)

John 12:32 (KJB)  "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me."

What if we put more passion and heart into worshiping Father God, spending more of our time in prayer, lifting up Jesus the Savior.  What if, like Jesus, we stopped worrying over the crowds and fretting over how to get them there.  What if as we just concentrated on lifting up Jesus, he was able then to draw the people to himself.  After all, he IS the bread of life that can feed every hungry soul.  Let's face it, we do not have anything to give that will change a life.  Only Jesus can multiply the bread and the fish.  Only Jesus can calm the sea.  Only Jesus can heal the lame and the blind.  Only Jesus can set the demoniac free.  Only Jesus can save.  Only Jesus!  If our trust, our hope, our faith or our life is built on anything else, it is sinking sand.

My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus’ blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly trust in Jesus’ Name.

Chorus

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.

Chorus

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

His oath, His covenant, His blood,
Support me in the whelming flood.
When all around my soul gives way,
He then is all my Hope and Stay.

Chorus

On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand;
All other ground is sinking sand.

When He shall come with trumpet sound,
Oh may I then in Him be found.
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.

My Hope Is Built (The Solid Rock)
Words by Edward Mote
Music by William B. Bradbury