a gem in Matthew 15

"After Jesus returned, he walked along Lake Galilee and then climbed a mountain and took his place, ready to receive visitors. They came, tons of them, bringing along the paraplegic, the blind, the maimed, the mute-- all sorts of people in need-- and more or less threw them down at Jesus' feet to see what he would do with them. He healed them. When people saw the mutes speaking, the maimed healthy, the paraplegics walking around, the blind looking around, they were astonished and let everyone know that God was blazingly alive among them. But Jesus wasn't finished with them."
-Matthew 15:29-32

Yesterday I was reading this chapter and found these two verses so powerful. Jesus was healing these multitudes of people that were coming to him, from all over- people who were desperate yet hopeful. He had the power to heal within Him, so He did.

But he didn't stop there. 

The following verses go on to say that He didn't want to leave the people hungry-- "I hurt for these people. For three days now they've been with me, and now they have nothing to eat. I can't send them away without a meal- they'd probably collapse on the road (v. 32)." I think this is both literal and figurative- the people needed nourishment for their empty stomachs. But in this i find direction for giving spiritual sustenance as well-- sometimes, yes, all people need is the salvation prayer... Yet alot of the time, i can't help but wonder if people are at a loss for what to do next.

like, now what? 

We ought to continue connecting with them (if possible), and if not, direct them to a local church, or people in the surrounding area, that will keep encouraging them in this step of faith they have made. Because people aren't just a tally that you mark off on a religious scoreboard- theyre handcrafted by Christ, made for community and support.

Our job isn't finished when they say amen and open their tear-filled eyes.

Had Jesus left them be after He'd healed them, "they'd probably collapse on the road." We need Jesus to keep working in us after He heals us. It isn't like a one-hit wonder: one magical touch and you're free to roam the countryside as you please! No. Jesus should never be finished with us, because without His presence, we are destined to fall and collapse and need His touch all over again.