Preaching, Power, and Popularity

Luke gives us a summary statement of Jesus' immense popularity. Many are coming to Him for various reasons; hoping to hear Him, be healed, and be amazed. It's a passage that reflects on the people's perspective toward Jesus up to this point in His ministry. Yet, Luke masterfully places this before Jesus' Sermon on the Plain. Jesus will end that sermon by saying true disciples are not one's who merely here and consume, but obey. It is a powerful reminder that we must examine ourselves to see if our life truly bears the marks of a faithful disciple.