Day 31: Wednesday, March 12

At the opening of this chapter in Luke, Jesus sent his twelve disciples through the villages “preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere” after he “gave them power and authority over all the demons, and to heal diseases”.

When the Apostles returned, Jesus tried privately to take time with them, but the multitudes found Him. Jesus’ response was to welcome them. To more than 5,000 people, he provided what was needed: welcome, the gospel, healing and (from a few loaves and fishes) food.

Afterwards, Jesus asked his disciples “Who do the multitudes say that I am?” He then focused the question to “Who do you say that I am?” He asked about the individual relationship to him.

We see Jesus doing this often.

When the crowds are pressing around him, he turns to one and asks, “Who touched me?”

After years in his presence, he asks Peter, “Do you love me?”

Teacher, healer, king to the multitudes—yes. But he also desires to be your teacher, healer, king. He wants to build and sharpen your relationship with Him.

The one who “was in the beginning with God” and that “apart from him nothing came into being that has come into being” and who welcomes the multitudes, wants a relationship with you—individually.

Karl Riedel