Jesus was not followed by a multitude of sick people. As He went around the far shore of the Sea of Galilee there was not a crowd of blind, diseased and disabled following him. As He climbed the mountain and sat down with His disciples, He was not followed by hundreds of crippled and disabled people. He was followed by a multitude of people who had seen Him perform many signs by healing the sick. They were not sick, but they were following him because they had seen him heal the sick.

The Greek word that is translated “heal” is also translated “save” depending upon the context it is used, and the meaning the speaker intended. This meant that every Greek speaking person upon hearing the word sózó/(σῴζω), would immediately think both of healing and salvation. The two would be permanently connected within their thinking. This is not something that happens in the English language, but I believe it is particularly significant for the ministry of Jesus.

Much of the ministry of Jesus centered around healing the sick and curing physical disabilities. However, it was clear from the beginning that His primary focus was upon healing the greatest sickness of all, the sickness of the human spirit. Sin is a sickness that leads to brokenness in the human spirit. It destroys people themselves and their relationships. Worst of all, sin shatters humanity’s most essential relationship; the relationship between ourselves and God.

The multitude that followed Jesus went after seeing Him heal the sick because they hoped His ability to heal meant He had the ability to save as well. Some needed to save their marriages, and others needed to save relationships with prodigal children. Some needed to be saved from their addictions, and others needed to be saved from the consequences of bad choices. Some needed saving from hopelessness and despair, while others wanted saving from hate, anger and fear.

Everyone needs saving from sin, and that salvation requires God to heal our relationship with Him.