Matthew 4:24-25 (NKJV)

“Then His fame went throughout all Syria, and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.”

I know Jesus was a great teacher and many were enraptured by His wisdom in teaching. He was clear, focused and precise in His messages. However, I don’t think that was what brought Him fame. Good teaching can bring a level of fame, but when you begin to meet the needs of people, that changes the game. Jesus touched the people at the points of their needs, and this transformed His ministry.

And this rule must apply to us also. It’s okay to preach and teach, but if you want to touch a larger crowd of people, you need to meet their needs. These people who came to Jesus had legitimate needs and needed real solutions which the Scribes and Pharisees did not have. The Scribes and Pharisees had the Law and the Decrees for righteous living, but they did not care much about how the people felt. Good teaching is good, but good teaching plus helping the people, is excellent. Let’s not stop at knowing good and teaching well; let’s go on to doing good by assisting the needy in the community. If we don’t do this, we are only acting as modern-day Scribes and Pharisees, and we certainly are not walking in the footprints of Jesus the Messiah, who loved and cared for the needy around Him. I must decide whether I am satisfied being a good teacher of the Word of God or whether I will go beyond to helping and blessing and touching the needy around me.

“Lord, my greatest ambition is to be like You in everything. Since You went beyond teaching, to helping the needy, I commit to doing the same. I also recognize that not many people You helped eventually became true disciples and yet You helped them. Teach me to bless, help and touch, even those who will never become Your followers. This I pray for, in Jesus name. Amen.”