"The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and
He healed them (MT 4:24).
That is an interesting verse for a variety of reasons.
First, news about Jesus spread "throughout all Syria." How could that possibly happen? After all, there was no Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or email. No cell phones, billboards or automobiles. It spread because one person told another person. That is always the best method. It seems slow and antiquated to our 21st century lifestyle... but it's personal and effective.
Second, the audience was an interesting mix of hurting people. Granted, they were not coming for salvation but for healing; and yet there is not-to-be-missed point. Every act of healing was another testament to the reality of who Jesus was and what He came to do, namely, "seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10). And every act of healing was a testament to the compassion of His heart.
It's often the case that hurting people are more receptive to Jesus. Yes, some become bitter; but many, in the words of the song, "come broken to be healed." It is at that point that Jesus can do His greatest work. After all, remember that He said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick" (Luke 5:31).
The lives of those who are in ill-health spiritually are often messy, far less than we would like for them to be. And yet, the gospel of Jesus Christ had and has the power to transform "fornicators, idolators, adulterers, effeminate, homosexuals, thieves, covetous, revilers and swindlers" and make them "saints in Christ" (1 CR 6).
No wonder Paul said he was "not ashamed of the gospel" (RM 1:16). Not ashamed of what it says, not ashamed of where it draws the line, not ashamed of what it calls me to do. And not ashamed to offer its power as a meaningful solution to lives who are hurting and needing to be healed. Don't be too quick to give up on the gospel. Don't be too quick to give up on people.