The crowds meet the Power

Told from Mark's point of view again:

People began following Jesus for long distances, just glaring at him, as though he was about to do some amazing thing or another. As I watched Jesus with the crowds falling all over themselves to get a closer look than the guy next to him or her, I could see that He sure knew how to captivate an audience!

Hearing Him teach, one could tell that, without a doubt, this man believed every word He spoke. He taught with such power, such authority; nothing like our scribes, who just tended to drone on and on for many hours, using multitudes of words that meant so very little, except to impose more and more restrictions on the listener. Why, the only effect I could see from these lofty teachers, was that people lived with fear and religious precepts, that they never could seem to quite meet the requirements of. One was left feeling so ashamed and so inadequate. Yet, obeying what the great teachers taught, was the sure proof of humility before your group leaders, others and, of course, God.

As refreshingly new and freeing as Jesus' words were, I'm not sure if the people hearing him, were sure of what to make of His teachings. He seemed to bring a message of goodness and hope. He spoke about His Father being God. I'm not sure I even understood all this, but I listened, I learned, and I began seeing my world turned upside down in so many ways.

Now, if this wasn't all amazing enough, this man even had devils obeying him! I saw a tormented, twisted, cut-up young man walk toward Jesus and walk away being every whit whole! Jesus actually told the evil spirit to "hush" and it stopped tormenting the man and departed entirely, leaving its victim with a sound mind. I still scratch my head, though, remembering Jesus telling that cohort of satan to not tell anyone whom Jesus was. Apparently, it wasn't yet time for people to know the full identity of this incredible teacher.

In spite of the devils being silenced about Him though, Jesus was rarely without droves of people clinging to Him, following Him, and expecting Him to do some awesome things for them. I often puzzled over how Jesus could even move one foot in front of the other, there was such a pressing of those people swarming him.