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Luke 6:17-19
Jesus makes a great statement in this passage for the inclusion of all people in His ministry. He came down from the mountain and stood on a level place with all the people (Luke 6:17). This verse induces one to think of how Jesus came down from heaven to dwell with all His people on earth.
Luke 6:17 (NKJV) also tells us of the diverse people included, “a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon.” This crowd would have included God’s chosen people Israel that came from Judea and Jerusalem, those who believe in Jesus (His disciples), and very possibly a gathering of Gentiles from Tyre and Sidon.
Jesus breaks the barrier between Jews and Gentiles in this passage as He, “healed them all” (Luke 6:19). Jesus healed them all physically (diseases), and spiritually (unclean spirits). This is so important that Luke tells us three times; Luke 6:17 states, “…who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases,”; Luke 6:18 states, “…And they were healed.”; and Luke 6:19 states, “And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all.”
This is an example of the healing power of Jesus for all people.
This is an example of Jesus making the transition from the physical Law which God gave to Moses (Exodus 20) to believing by faith in Him.
It was very important for Jesus to show the inclusion of all people in His ministry before He died on the cross. This sets the example for showing love and inclusion to all as Jesus states in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” In this new commandment given by Jesus is no room for pride and arrogance – two of the main ingredients that when combined produce hate and exclusion, which is of the devil. We can only follow the new commandment given by Jesus and overcome these things of the sinful nature by inviting Jesus into our hearts to cleanse and forgive us as we make a commitment to believe in Him and seek His will for our lives.
Dear Lord,
Jesus healed all who came to Him and believed in Him. He still does this today through Your Holy Spirit that You will send to live within our hearts and cleanse us from the sinful nature. Please speak to our hearts and call us to You today to begin a new relationship with You through making the commitment to believe in Jesus and accept the cleansing and forgiveness that only He can give. In Jesus name I pray, amen.