Day 5: With Jesus and the Unbelieving Crowds

Take a moment to quiet yourself: close your eyes and take some deep breaths.

Pray this prayer or something similar in your own words: Jesus, help me draw close to you by seeing my suffering in yours and your suffering in mine.

Throughout his ministry, Jesus healed many: he brought sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, mobility to the lame, and freedom to those who were oppressed. Before you read, take a moment to imagine you are in the crowds as Jesus heals person after person. What miracles do you see? How do those who are healed respond? What expressions do you see on their faces and on Jesus' face?

Now read the passage, imagining you can see the faces of the people it describes. What expressions do you see? How do they respond? What do you hear and see them do?

Stay for another moment with Jesus as he sees the fear, distancing, and unbelief in the crowds, including many who had witnessed his miracles.

In these final moments of prayer, talk with Jesus about what this passage brought up for you.

Reflection Questions

Personal reflection:

What might it have been like for Jesus to see so much unbelief, even as he performed miracles? And to know that some were hiding their belief out of fear of what others would think?

Community discussion:

Have you experienced people distancing themselves from you or not standing with you openly, out of fear of others? How might Jesus' experience in this passage resonate with your own?