Today's Verses: (New International Version (NIV)) -

Matthew 14:14 - ¹⁴When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Matthew 15:30-31 - ³⁰Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them. ³¹The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.

These verses transmits three thoughts:

1. Jesus had compassion on the crowds that followed him.
2. He healed the sick and the disabled.
3. Those who Jesus healed praised the God of Israel.

Today's Comments: If the crowds had really understood who Jesus was, there might not have been a crucifixion. Instead, after they got what they wanted, they left; they were satisfied; they forgot. They were looking for a king to overthrow the evil Roman Empire. Instead, they got a man who ate with tax collectors, healed the dregs of society, and did nothing to help them out of their political doldrums.

An interesting note is the fact that, according to A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew, during the days of Jesus' life, the blind and the crippled were not allowed to enter the Temple. After their healing by Jesus, they were now legitimized. And, Jesus not only healed the Jews, but he healed the Gentiles, as well.

The bottom line is that Jesus did not do what those influential people in Jewish society wanted him to do: make them legitimate. Instead, he legitimized tax collectors, the disabled, and the Gentiles. And that is what may have led to His crucifixion.