In our world, when the demand exceeds the supply then the prices go up. But when the supply exceeds the demand, the prices go down.
You know how Jesus paid a very high price for you -- you still have great value to Him.
Do you or your friends have a need today, a lack of supply, a real challenging situation on hand? The message throughout the gospels from Christ was: Come and follow me, but many people do that for all the wrong reasons.. when they could do that for the right reasons.
A hunger challenge was presented to the disciples with a crowd and the disciples had no idea what to do with this challenging situation. Great need and want without any apparent supply. Many people followed Christ cuz they saw the signs he did, and they want his help.
1.) When you believe on the Jesus of the Bible, choosing to closely follow and make him Lord of all, His supply will always exceed the demand. He promised he would meet all your needs, believer.
He hasn't let me down even once. Too many of us with a need fail to inquire of him first (in prayer, we seem to inquire elsewhere), but he doesn't want you to decide on your own what to do with every need presented to you.
2.) Without Christ as your Savior factored into the equation, the demands of your life's hard situations will always exceed the supply available.
Q: Do you have a real need today? What do you currently have to address that? What is the greatest need of your life? Have you first inquired of the Lord about it? #Matt6:33
Everyone on the planet is worshipping someone or something. There are still so many idols people bow down to these days! Do you worship yourself as Lord? Will you try to become your own savior and primary need-meeter? Lost people really want to fill that inner void inside no matter the cost to them. Jesus paid the price for them.
What will it take to fill that void inside you if you live for money--for you your investment portfolio? A little bit more. Always.
What will it take to satisfy you if you live for porn or for sex? A little bit more. Always.
What will it take if you live for work to satisfy you? A little bit more. Always.
What will it take if you live for Real estate property? A little bit more. Always.
What will it take if you live for the applause of people and their recognition? A little bit more. Always.
If Christ as Savior and Lord isn't filling that inner void inside you, then guess what.. it's always going to take a little bit more. It won't be filled at all. I don't want that for anyone! I want you satisfied and content, with an assurance of much better things to come.
In the Bible story, a denarius is a day's wage.
Man, Andrew is one of my favorite characters. He's always bringing someone to Jesus, and here he brings the boy to Him but doesn't really know the solution to the problem.. cuz he asks a question.
“There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?”
That little boy went out into the world that day with his five loaves and two fish, and he had no idea that he was going out into the world with great potential on hand.
Many people went out their own door this morning and don't realize that with their life is great potential. What will you do with it? None will ever realize the potential or satisfaction if they reject Christ.
Remember when Mick Jagger of the Stones sang: "I can't get no... satisfaction."
Stones Frontman, Sir Mick Jagger at 82, was recently interviewed by the NY Times and said: There’s “nothing good” about getting older — and that wisdom’s a myth. He said, "You don't get wisdom. You forget everything. I forgot all of my wisdom."
Factoid: Worldly wisdom is so overrated, but godly wisdom points people to Jesus the giver of life. It leads us to real satisfaction. This comes from walking with the Lord, from reading and living by His word. You can grow in the best wisdom as you age!“Wisdom belongs to the aged, and understanding to the old.” Job 12:12The righteous “still bear fruit in old age.” Psalm 92:12
Age arrives quick. “I’d rather die than be 45 and still singing ‘Satisfaction.” ― Mick Jagger
“Don't you think it's sometimes wise not to grow up?” ― Mick Jagger (Man Jag, I'd say simple childlike faith is sure good, but we all need to grow up)
“Anarchy is the only slight glimmer of hope.” ― Mick Jagger (Uhh no, but please do rebel against temptations of the flesh to be sinning)
“When you're on acid being busted it's very odd. It's not fun being busted at all, but being busted on acid is really weird.” ― Mick Jagger
“Anything worth doing is worth overdoing.” ― Mick Jagger (Uhh, false)
For you, the demand will always exceed the supply without biblical faith and simple beliving prayer.
Remember when Actor Brad Pitt described his life with his career as "winning the lottery." Well, later on he felt so down and despondent in his life, that he thought about suicide. In an interview, Brad Pitt got real honest. He described his season as so dark. He actually felt suicidal, he said. It's the only time in his life he ever felt that way.
It was the pain from what he was going through, specifically family stuff, and it got so heavy for a moment that the appeal of taking his life seemed to him like a form of relief. He got honest enough to say out loud what a whole lot of people only think in private, and sometimes the pain can really get that heavy.
The people are looking for a way out, and in earlier interview, Brad said. "We're supposed to care about the car, the condo, but if that's true, why does it all feel like desperation, loneliness, and isolation?" Years ago. The wise king of Israel was so wealthy, so powerful, so successful, and he looked at everything that he had, and he said "It's all empty."
It's like a big bubble that bursts. Deep down inside, we humans have a few things in common don't we? We all are empty. We all are lonely. We all are guilty, and we're all afraid to die. You know how life sometimes can feel like one long Android-scroll, no matter how far or how many times you swipe, you're still empty inside.
Here's the bottom line. What you're looking for to fill that void is not found in a new Porsche, or a beach condo, or on any screen, or even with what some "yes-man" AI voice flatters you with. You're looking for God the Son. You're looking for a relationship with the only Savior who died on the cross for your sin and physically rose again from the dead.
I say: Just ask and keep on with that asking specifically.. with the right address attached. (To the Father in the name of Jesus).
“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened." ~ Jesus, in Mat. 7:7-8 nlt
When you come to Christ as your Lord, the supply will always exceed the demand. Those hungry people in the story had as much as they wanted and more. They were all satiated. Are you satisfied inside?
With the crowd, there was no sense of wise planning at all. Like crowds today.
Did Jesus ever do a miracle that didn't first start with a human need.. that didn't first start with a human problem? No challenge here is too big for God--simply have faith in his Son, living for him! Have all the right motives.
When you come to a challenging intersection of life marked my real need, please decide early which way you'll go. Go to him first and he will direct you.
Remember how they gathered up 12 baskets left over.
When you come to an intersection of need In your life, do you ask what would you have me to learn and do here. Do you give yourself and what you have to Jesus? That little boy gave all. He had five loaves and two fish. The boy gave again.. cuz there was some left over.
Please see verse 12. People were totally satisfied and then pieces were getting picked up -- nothing was lost! I sure don't like loss, and God really doesn't like when what's valuable gets "LOST" (especially people).
"So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, 'Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.'”
No one gets saved after they physically die.
Are you lost or aren't really sure? Do you need an assurance of salvation today?
Bring to Jesus your lost self. Now is good. Please don't put it off and wait for a better time. Not to decide is to decide. Why let your heart grow harder?
That word for lost can also be defined as ruined or wasted. What's been ruined or wasted because of wrong decisions in your past? You could have a new beginning today.
Did you exit your door this morning with ginormous potential? Bring him the lunch of your life, bring to him your life and future.
Open your heart and believe-- follow Jesus for all the right reasons. You'll have a new beginning.
When Christ is Savior and Lord inside the demands of life on you will never exceed the supply! The cross and Resurrection were enough for you. He and his grace are more than enough for you! Come as you are.. willing to be changed by him. He loves you too much to leave you as you were.. in sin.
The Bible says, (Jn. 6:1 nkjv) "After these things Jesus went over the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias.2Then a great multitude followed Him, because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased.3 And Jesus went up on the mountain, and there He sat with His disciples.4 Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near.5 Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, 'Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?'6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do.7 Philip answered Him, 'Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may have a little.'8 One of His disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,9 'There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many?'10 Then Jesus said, 'Make the people sit down.' Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.11 And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted.12 So when they were filled, He said to His disciples, 'Gather up the fragments that remain, so that nothing is lost.'13 Therefore they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves which were left over by those who had eaten.14 Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, 'This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.'”
Jesus did not treat people as projects. He saw people, cared about their real condition, met genuine needs, and then brought truth to them.
The Gospels say Jesus healed “many” or “all” who came to Him. So why didn't more hungry or hurting people come to Him? They could have. Will you come to Him as you are?
Jesus promised, "All that My Father gives Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, never reject anyone who follows Me]." John 6:37 amp
He didn't turn any the disciples away. Like you and me, they had sinned and were forgiven. Then they faced some tests that day because of those great crowds that followed Jesus for the wrong reasons.
Happened. Feeding the multitude (Jn. 1:1–14) was due to Christ's great love for them. Philip thought the answer to the challenge before them would be lots of money, but Andrew saw the answer in a lad with a lunch. When you face a seemingly unsolvable problem, claim the promise of verse 6, give what you have to Jesus, and let Him tell you what to do.
Happened. Leaving the multitude (vv. 15–21). This incident occurred at the high point of our Lord’s popularity. The disciples (especially Judas) would have welcomed a kingdom, so Jesus sent them away into a storm. They went from popularity to peril, but they were safer in the storm than with the multitude; and Jesus came to them and met their needs (Isa. 43:2). Can you obey His will even when you disagree with Him?
Happened. Losing the multitude (vv. 22–71). People want the Lord to meet their physical needs but not their spiritual needs. The manna (Exod. 16) came only to the Jews and sustained physical life, but Jesus came for the whole world and gives eternal life. Just as you take food into your body, so you take Christ into your life; and He becomes one with you. The disciples had opportunity to follow the crowd, but they remained with Jesus.
They Were Signs of Love Jesus Gave (Jn 6:1–21)
The first three signs illustrate how one is saved through the Word, by faith, and by grace. The fourth sign (feeding the 5,000) shows us that salvation satisfies the inner needs of the heart. Jesus is the Bread of Life. This miracle also reminds us that, while salvation is of the Lord and bestowed only by grace, God still uses human instruments to take the Gospel message to men. Jesus gave the bread and fish to His disciples, and they shared it with the people. “How shall they hear without a preacher?” asks Paul in Rom. 10:14. If, like the little lad in John 6:9, we will give Him our all, He will take it, break it, and use it to bless others. The last four signs in John’s Gospel illustrate the results of salvation:
• Feeding the 5,000 (6:1–14)—Salvation brings satisfaction
• Stilling the storm (6:15–21)—Salvation brings peace
• Healing the blind man (9:1–7)—Salvation brings light
• Raising Lazarus from the dead (11:34–46)—Salvation brings life
Jesus would not opt to be King to a group of people who were interested only in full stomachs (see v. 26). He dismissed the crowd and sent the disciples across the sea, knowing full well that the storm was coming. How like the church today: we are toiling against Satan’s storms, but our Lord is praying for us on the mount and one day will come to bring peace. Note too that the ship miraculously arrived at its destination when Christ came on board. Salvation brings peace to the heart—peace with God (Rom. 5:1) and the peace of God (Phil. 4:4–7).
The Jesus Sermon Was Potent (6:22–65)
In vv. 22–31 we have the setting for the sermon. The people, interested in food, have followed Christ over the sea to Capernaum, and they meet in the synagogue (v. 59). He revealed their shallow, carnal motives (vv. 26–27) and their ignorance of what it means to be saved by faith (vv. 28–29). Just as He graciously fed them the bread, and all they had to do was receive it, so He wanted to give them eternal life, but they instead thought they must work for it. The Jews threw out a challenge to Jesus in v. 30: “Show us a sign!” They reminded Him of the way Moses brought bread (manna) from heaven to feed the Jews (see Ex. 16); and Jesus used this as the basis for His sermon.
There is indeed a watching, hungry world around you, and it's important to represent the Lord well as you walk in the Holy Spirit and word.. for all the right reasons..yes. for the glory of the Lord. Use what you have righteously to win souls for Christ. It's good to hate all two-faced hypocrisy or the living of a double life.
Will some try to twist the truth and hurt your reputation, believer? Probably somewhere along the way. Give your reputation to God and he will deal with those who lie. What people think about you is none of your business.
You weren't called to manage opinions--you were called to walk in purpose.. In the will of God, spreading his gospel when there are people who are open to hearing it.
Stay focused on Christ and what he's asked you to biblically do. Stay steady. Choose to abide in the vine rather than strive in the flesh. Love not this world or the things in it. Love God and people use things as tools, not vice versa. Too many are here to use people and love things. Stay faithful to what God clearly gave you to do.
I'd say if someone tries to trash your reputation, just continue preaching (non-preachy) the word and living it scripturally.. I mean your life, righteously like Jesus did. Everything else is mere noise -- don't get distracted away from Him. He'll meet all your needs.
Absolutely. The biblical pattern you are describing is important: Jesus did not treat people as projects. He saw people, cared about their real condition, met genuine needs, and then brought truth to them. Sometimes the physical need came first; sometimes the spiritual need was the deepest need; sometimes Jesus met both at once.
The Gospel accounts repeatedly show us how Jesus responded compassionately to the sickness, hunger, grief, danger, demonic oppression or possession, disability, fear, sin, and spiritual blindness of individuals. Matthew explicitly says that Jesus saw the crowds, had compassion on them, healed their sick, and then taught them (Matthew 9:35–36). He really felt compassion for them like He feels for you today! The Bible pattern is unmistakable.
Jesus did heal “many” or “all” who came to Him. That's how caring He is. God hasn't changed. Some believers will receive their full healing when they arrive in heaven, and some will here. I don't know why.
1. The central biblical pattern: CARE → NEED → TRUTH → GLORY TO GOD
The clearest picture is Jesus Himself.
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them.”
— Matthew 9:36
Then:
“And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people.”
— Matthew 4:23
Notice the combination:
He saw them, and saw through them so to speak.
He deeply cared about them and still does.
He met real needs.
He proclaimed truth, and not mixed with halftruths.
He pointed people to God.
And Mark 2 gives an especially powerful example. Four men cared enough about a paralyzed man to carry him to Jesus. Jesus first addressed his deepest need, saying his sins were forgiven, and then healed his physical condition so that everyone would know that the Son of Man had authority to forgive sins.
That is much more than humanitarianism.
It is compassion from and with a Person -- Jesus.
2. JESUS: caring for someone and then bringing truth
1. The Samaritan woman
Human need: spiritual thirst, shame, broken relationships, religious confusion.
Jesus' care: He deliberately crossed cultural, ethnic, and social barriers and spoke personally with her.
Truth: He exposed her sin without humiliating her, revealed Himself as Messiah, and spoke of worshiping God in spirit and truth.
Result: She went back to her town and testified about Jesus.
References: John 4:1–42, especially 4:7–26, 28–30, 39–42.
This may be one of the strongest biblical examples of your principle:
Jesus encountered a person → engaged her personally → listened and spoke → addressed her deepest need → told her the truth → she carried the message to others.
2. Zacchaeus
Human need: spiritual lostness and a life distorted by greed.
Jesus entered his home and treated him as a person rather than merely labeling him a sinner.
Then Jesus confronted the spiritual issue directly:
“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
— Luke 19:10
References: Luke 19:1–10.
Jesus' relationship with Zacchaeus was not an endorsement of his sin. His grace opened the door for repentance, and Zacchaeus's response demonstrated genuine transformation.
3. Matthew/Levi
Matthew was a tax collector and therefore socially despised.
Jesus called him:
Matthew 9:9; Mark 2:13–17; Luke 5:27–32.
Matthew then held a great feast with Jesus.
When religious leaders objected to Jesus eating with tax collectors and sinners, Jesus explained:
“Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.”
And:
“I have not come to call the righteous but sinners.”
— Mark 2:17
This is precisely care followed by truth.
Jesus did not avoid sinners.
He went toward them.
But He also did not leave them where He found them.
"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name, who were [a]born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God." Jn 1:12-15 nasb
4. Nicodemus
Nicodemus came with questions.
Jesus did not merely give him emotional encouragement. He brought him directly to the truth about regeneration:
You must be born again spiritually, because God says you must be. John 3:1–21.
“You must be born again.”
— Jesus, in John 3:3 & 3:7
Jesus cared enough to tell him the truth he desperately needed.
5. The rich young ruler
This is an especially important example because Mark explicitly says Jesus loved him.
“And Jesus, looking at him, loved him.”
— Mark 10:21
Then Jesus told him the truth about the one thing standing between him and wholehearted discipleship.
References: Matthew 19:16–22; Mark 10:17–22; Luke 18:18–23.
Love did not prevent Jesus from telling him the truth.
Love compelled Him to tell him the truth.
6. The woman caught in adultery
Human need: shame, condemnation, sin, and danger.
Jesus protected her from the mob's murderous intent.
Then He said:
“Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.”
— John 8:11
Reference: John 8:1–11.
Jesus neither minimized sin nor crushed the sinner.
Grace and truth stood together.
7. Blind Bartimaeus
Bartimaeus cried out for mercy.
Jesus paused.
He asked what Bartimaeus wanted.
Then He healed him and spoke about his faith.
References: Mark 10:46–52; Luke 18:35–43.
Jesus was not too busy for one suffering man beside the road.
8. The man at the pool of Bethesda
Jesus saw a man who had been disabled for many years.
John 5:1–9.
Jesus healed him.
Then Jesus later found him and addressed the spiritual dimension:
“See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.”
— John 5:14
The physical healing was not the end of Jesus' concern.
9. The ten lepers
Human need: devastating physical disease and social isolation.
Jesus healed all ten.
Luke 17:11–19.
But only one returned.
Jesus then spoke about faith and gave glory to God.
The episode beautifully shows that receiving a blessing from Jesus is not the same thing as responding to Jesus.
10. The woman with the issue of blood
She had suffered for twelve years.
Jesus did not simply heal her anonymously and move on.
He stopped, brought her into the open, spoke to her personally, and called her:
“Daughter.”
References: Mark 5:25–34; Matthew 9:20–22; Luke 8:43–48.
He met the physical need, but He also restored dignity and publicly affirmed her faith.
11. Jairus and his daughter
Jairus came desperately seeking help for his dying daughter.
Mark 5:21–43; Matthew 9:18–26; Luke 8:40–56.
Jesus entered the crisis personally.
When the report came that the girl had died, Jesus told Jairus:
“Do not fear, only believe.”
— Mark 5:36
Then He raised the girl.
This is care, presence, encouragement, truth, and miraculous intervention in the middle of devastating human grief.
12. The widow of Nain
This is one of the most beautiful examples because Jesus apparently encountered the need without being asked to perform the miracle.
He saw a widow whose only son had died.
“And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’”
— Luke 7:13
Then He raised her son.
Luke 7:11–17.
This is perhaps the purest biblical picture of Jesus seeing suffering and moving toward it because He cared.
13. Lazarus, Martha, and Mary
Jesus knew Lazarus would be raised, yet He still entered their grief.
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
He then taught Martha:
“I am the resurrection and the life.”
— John 11:25
And He raised Lazarus.
John 11:1–44.
Notice the sequence:
He really loved them → entered their grief → wept with them → taught them truth to wisely apply → demonstrated His authority → brought glory to God the Father.
3. BELIEVERS: caring and then sharing truth
The pattern does not end with Jesus. His followers continue it.
1. Philip and the Ethiopian official
Philip encountered a man who was reading Isaiah but did not understand it.
Philip did not immediately launch into a speech.
He asked:
“Do you understand what you are reading?”
— Acts 8:30
Then Philip joined him, listened, explained Scripture, and “told him the good news about Jesus.”
Acts 8:26–40.
This is almost a textbook example of:
encounter people → present some honest questions (not too many) → sincere listening → understanding the need(s) → opened the Scriptures to their minds → explain God the Son, Jesus → give an opportunity for a gospel response.
2. Peter and Cornelius
Cornelius was seeking God.
God sent Peter.
Peter entered his home, listened to what had happened, and then proclaimed the gospel:
Acts 10:1–48.
Peter explained:
Jesus' ministry
His death
His resurrection
His identity as Lord
forgiveness through His name
Acts 10:34–43.
And while Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit came upon those hearing the message.
3. Paul and the Philippian jailer
The jailer was terrified after the earthquake.
Paul immediately cared about the man's physical safety:
“Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.”
— Acts 16:28
The jailer then asked:
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
Paul and Silas answered:
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”
— Acts 16:30–31
Then they taught him the Word of the Lord, and he and his household were baptized.
Acts 16:25–34.
This is perhaps the clearest apostolic example of meeting an immediate human crisis and then addressing the deeper spiritual crisis.
4. Paul and Onesimus/Philemon
Paul's ministry involved not merely preaching but restoring relationships and appealing for reconciliation.
Philemon 1–25.
The gospel was applied by the Holy Spirit to a real human relationships involving forgiveness, brotherhood in the Lord, dignity, and reconciliation.
5. The Jerusalem church caring for physical needs
The early Christians did not merely preach.
They shared possessions so that people in genuine need were cared for.
Acts 2:42–47; Acts 4:32–35.
Then the apostles continued proclaiming Christ.
That combination is important.
Acts 4:33 places powerful witness to Christ alongside generous care for one another.
6. Dorcas/Tabitha
Tabitha was a disciple whose life was characterized by practical service to people in need.
Acts 9:36–42.
She made clothing for widows and served others.
God subsequently used Peter in her restoration to life, and the miracle resulted in many believing in the Lord.
This is an extraordinary example of a believer whose faith became visible through tangible care.
7. Paul caring for the people aboard the ship
During the storm and shipwreck:
Acts 27:21–44.
Paul encouraged frightened people, urged them to eat, assured them of God's promise, and remained with them.
His spiritual confidence became practical care.
4. THE MIRACLES OF JESUS: a comprehensive catalog of the recorded miracle episodes
Here I want to be especially precise.
The four Gospels contain many individual miracles and many summary statements about large numbers of miracles. Do I mean...
every distinct miracle episode specifically described, or
every individual healing Jesus ever performed.
The Gospel writers sometimes summarize entire crowds without naming each person touched or healed.
Need my best shot at distinct miracle episodes actually recorded, plus the major summary statements too?
A. MIRACLES INVOLVING HEALING OR RESTORATION
1. Healing the royal official's son
Need: dying child
Distance: Jesus healed him remotely.
John 4:46–54
This is one of your strongest examples of Jesus meeting a need that was not physically in front of Him.
2. Peter's mother-in-law
Need: fever
Matthew 8:14–15; Mark 1:29–31; Luke 4:38–39
Jesus entered the house, saw her condition, touched her, and healed her.
3. Many sick and demonized people at Capernaum
Matthew 8:16–17; Mark 1:32–34; Luke 4:40–41
The Gospels explicitly describe Jesus responding to people brought to Him.
4. Leper cleansed
Matthew 8:1–4; Mark 1:40–45; Luke 5:12–16
The man's need was directly before Jesus.
5. Paralytic lowered through the roof
Matthew 9:1–8; Mark 2:1–12; Luke 5:17–26
Jesus met both physical and spiritual need.
“Son, your sins are forgiven.”
Then:
“Rise, pick up your bed, and go home.”
The miracle demonstrated His authority to forgive sins. (Bible Gateway)
6. Man with the withered hand
Matthew 12:9–14; Mark 3:1–6; Luke 6:6–11
Jesus saw the man's condition and restored his hand.
7. Centurion's servant
Matthew 8:5–13; Luke 7:1–10
Distance miracle: Jesus healed the servant without going to the house.
The centurion trusted Jesus' authority.
8. Woman with twelve-year hemorrhage
Matthew 9:20–22; Mark 5:25–34; Luke 8:43–48
Jesus responded to her suffering, healed her, and personally addressed her.
9. Jairus's daughter
Matthew 9:18–26; Mark 5:21–43; Luke 8:40–56
Jesus raised the dead child.
10. Two blind men
Matthew 9:27–31
Jesus restored their sight.
11. Demon-oppressed man who could not speak
Matthew 9:32–34
Jesus delivered him and restored his speech.
12. Man born blind
John 9:1–41
Jesus gave him sight and subsequently engaged the man spiritually.
This is particularly important because Jesus did not merely fix the man's eyes.
The man eventually came to faith in Christ.
13. Man with the withered/disabled condition at Bethesda
John 5:1–18
Jesus healed him and subsequently confronted him spiritually.
14. Gentile woman's demonized daughter
Matthew 15:21–28; Mark 7:24–30
Distance miracle.
Jesus responded to a mother's desperate appeal and healed her daughter remotely.
15. Deaf man with a speech impediment
Mark 7:31–37
Jesus took the man aside privately and healed him.
The personal nature of the encounter is striking.
16. Many people healed around the Sea of Galilee
Matthew 15:29–31
People brought the lame, blind, mute, crippled, and many others.
Jesus healed them.
17. Blind man at Bethsaida
Mark 8:22–26
Jesus took the man aside and restored his sight progressively.
18. Demonized boy
Matthew 17:14–20; Mark 9:14–29; Luke 9:37–43
A desperate father brought his son.
Jesus delivered the boy.
19. Woman bent over for eighteen years
Luke 13:10–17
Jesus saw her and healed her.
20. Man with dropsy
Luke 14:1–6
Jesus healed him on the Sabbath.
21. Ten lepers
Luke 17:11–19
Jesus healed ten.
One returned to give glory to God.
22. Blind man near Jericho
Matthew 20:29–34; Mark 10:46–52; Luke 18:35–43
Jesus responded to his cry for mercy and restored his sight.
23. Malchus's ear
Luke 22:47–51
At Jesus' arrest, Peter cut off the servant's ear.
Jesus healed him.
This is remarkable because Jesus healed the injury of someone belonging to the group that had come to arrest Him.
B. MIRACLES OVER NATURE
24. Water turned into wine
John 2:1–11
Human need: a wedding celebration faced social embarrassment.
John specifically calls this the first of Jesus' signs.
25. Great catch of fish
Luke 5:1–11
Jesus provided a miraculous catch when the fishermen had worked without success.
It also became the setting for Peter's calling.
26. Calming the storm
Matthew 8:23–27; Mark 4:35–41; Luke 8:22–25
Human need: the disciples were in genuine danger.
Jesus commanded the wind and sea.
27. Feeding the five thousand
Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 6:30–44; Luke 9:10–17; John 6:1–15
This is one of the clearest examples of your theme.
Matthew explicitly says Jesus saw the crowd and had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Then, as evening approached, the disciples wanted to send the people away.
Jesus instead fed them.
The physical provision became the setting for His teaching about Himself as the Bread of Life in John 6.
28. Walking on the water
Matthew 14:22–33; Mark 6:45–52; John 6:16–21
The disciples were struggling against wind and waves.
Jesus came to them.
Matthew records Peter's encounter with Jesus and the disciples' worship.
29. Feeding the four thousand
Matthew 15:32–39; Mark 8:1–10
This is another explicit compassion miracle.
Jesus said:
“I have compassion on the crowd because they have been with me now three days and have nothing to eat.”
He fed them.
30. Coin in the fish's mouth
Matthew 17:24–27
Jesus provided the temple-tax money through an extraordinary circumstance involving a fish.
This is a very specific example of meeting a practical financial obligation.
31. Withered fig tree
Matthew 21:18–22; Mark 11:12–14, 20–25
This is different from the healing miracles because it is a sign of judgment rather than compassion toward a person's immediate physical need.
Remember how Jesus used it to teach about simple faith, honest prayer, and fruitfulness.
C. POWER OVER DEMONIC FORCES
32. Demonized man in the synagogue
Mark 1:21–28; Luke 4:31–37
Jesus delivered him.
33. Gerasene/Gadarene demoniac
Matthew 8:28–34; Mark 5:1–20; Luke 8:26–39
This man was profoundly tormented and isolated.
Jesus delivered him.
Then Jesus told him:
“Return to your home, and declare how much God has done for you.”
— Luke 8:39
That is almost tailor-made for your theme:
Jesus encountered a broken or hurting human being → liberated him → restored him → gave him a true message to share. What's your story about finding Jesus as Savior? What are your fave verses that go along with it?
34. Demonized daughter of the Syrophoenician/Canaanite woman
Matthew 15:21–28; Mark 7:24–30
Again, the need was not physically present.
Jesus answered the mother's faith-filled appeal.
35. Demonized boy
Matthew 17:14–20; Mark 9:14–29; Luke 9:37–43
Jesus delivered him from demonic oppression.
36. Demonized mute man
Matthew 9:32–34
Jesus cast out the demon, and then the man spoke.
D. RAISING THE DEAD
37. Jairus's daughter
Matthew 9:18–26; Mark 5:21–43; Luke 8:40–56
38. Widow of Nain's son
Luke 7:11–17
Jesus saw the widow, had compassion, and raised her son.
39. Lazarus
John 11:1–44
Jesus loved Lazarus, entered the family's grief, wept, taught about resurrection and life, prayed publicly to the Father, and raised Lazarus.
John explicitly connects the miracle to God's glory:
“It is for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
— John 11:4
This is perhaps the fullest expression of your final phrase:
meeting human need in the name of Jesus for His glory.
E. MIRACLES AFTER THE RESURRECTION
40. Miraculous catch of fish
John 21:1–14
Jesus appeared to the disciples, provided fish and breakfast, and then restored Peter through a personal conversation.
The physical provision was followed by spiritual restoration and commissioning.
That is an extraordinarily beautiful care → provision → truth → restoration → mission sequence.
5. I LIKE HOW THE 4 GOSPELS GIVE US "MIRACLE SUMMARY" PASSAGES
These are important because they prevent us from pretending that the named miracles are the complete number of miracles Jesus performed.
Matthew 4:23–25
Jesus taught, proclaimed the gospel, healed disease, and crowds followed Him.
Matthew 8:16–17
Large numbers of demonized and sick people were brought to Him.
Matthew 9:35–38
Jesus went through towns and villages:
teaching → proclaiming → healing → seeing the crowds → compassion → calling disciples to pray for workers.
Matthew 12:15
“Many followed him, and he healed them all.”
Matthew 14:14
“He had compassion on them and healed their sick.”
Matthew 15:30–31
Large crowds brought the suffering to Jesus and He healed them.
Matthew 19:2
“And large crowds followed him, and he healed them there.”
Mark 1:32–34
People brought the sick and demonized to Jesus and He healed many.
Mark 3:10–12
Those with diseases pressed toward Jesus because they wanted to touch Him and be healed.
Luke 4:40–41
People brought the sick to Jesus and He healed them.
Luke 6:17–19
People came to hear Him and be healed, and power came from Him and healed them all.
Luke 9:11
Jesus welcomed the crowds, spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.
That verse may be one of the single best texts for your theme.
Luke 9:11:
Jesus welcomed them → taught them truth → healed those who needed healing.
6. THE BIG PICTURE: Jesus repeatedly joined compassion and proclamation
Look at these passages together:
Matthew 4:23
Teaching + proclaiming + healing
Matthew 9:35–36
Teaching + proclaiming + healing + compassion
Matthew 14:14
Compassion + healing
Luke 9:11
Welcome + kingdom truth + healing
Mark 6:34
Compassion + teaching
John 6:5–13
Physical hunger + provision + later spiritual teaching
John 11:33–44
Grief + compassion + resurrection truth + miracle
Mark 2:1–12
Physical disability + forgiveness + truth + healing
This gives us a remarkably consistent biblical principle:
Christian compassion is not merely meeting physical needs, and Christian evangelism is not merely speaking religious words. Biblical ministry sees the person, loves the person, serves the person, tells the truth to the person, and ultimately points the person to Christ.
7. The Good Samaritan gives us the order of practical compassion
Although the Good Samaritan does not explicitly evangelize the injured man, Jesus deliberately included the story to teach what loving one's neighbor looks like.
Luke 10:25–37
The Samaritan:
saw him → had compassion → went to him → bound his wounds → poured on oil and wine → put him on his animal → brought him to an inn → cared for him → paid for his continued care.
Jesus concluded:
“You go, and do likewise.”
So we should not force evangelism into that particular story.
But we absolutely can learn the principle:
Don't walk past the need.
8. James gives us the same principle in the early church
James asks what good it is to see a brother or sister lacking clothing and food and simply say:
“Go in peace, be warmed and filled.”
James 2:14–17
James insists that genuine faith produces tangible action.
And John says:
“Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
— 1 John 3:18
That is almost a biblical definition of what you are describing.
Deed AND truth.
Not deed instead of truth.
Not truth instead of love.
Deed and truth.
9. The biblical balance: CARE AND SHARE
The Bible does not teach:
“Just meet physical needs and don't mention Jesus.”
Nor does it teach:
“Ignore people's real needs and just give them a sermon.”
Instead:
Jesus fed people AND taught them TRUTH TO WISELY APPLY.
Jesus healed people AND confronted sin.
Jesus comforted people AND proclaimed truth.
Jesus welcomed sinners AND called them to repentance.
Jesus showed mercy AND demanded SIMPLE FAITH.
Jesus served people AND pointed them to the Father.
That is why 1 Peter 3:15 says believers should be ready to give a reason for the hope within them, while Colossians 4:5–6 calls Christians to walk wisely toward outsiders and let their speech be gracious.
And Romans 10:14 reminds us that people must hear the message of Christ.
So the biblical pattern isn't:
“Actions instead of words.”
It is:
Actions that make our love credible, followed by words that make the gospel understandable.
10. A particularly important correction about a famous Christian quote
You will often hear:
“Preach the Gospel at all times; use words if necessary.”
I would not use that quote in a Bible study or sermon as a quotation from Francis of Assisi.
There is no reliable evidence that Francis actually said it. Franciscan Media specifically addresses the problem and notes that the famous wording cannot be found in Francis's writings or earliest biographies. (Franciscan Media)
And there is a theological problem with using the slogan carelessly: the Gospel is a message. Messages must be communicated.
Romans 10:14–17 makes that point very clearly.
A better biblical formulation would be:
Live the Gospel faithfully. Serve people sacrificially. And when the opportunity comes, explain clearly the hope you have in Jesus Christ.
That is much closer to the actual biblical pattern.
11. Fitting Christian quotations
Steve Brown
A particularly fitting expression comes from Christian communicator Steve Brown:
We are a lot like beggars telling other beggars where we found satisfying bread.
We all are to have real humility, that of a true Christian witness. Yes, beautifully. It is not, "I am better than you" while looking or talking down to them. We Christians are not better than, even though we are better off.
It is:
“I was hungry too. I found Christ. Let me tell you where I found bread.”
Remember the famous words of, Francis of Assisi!
However, his Rule of 1221 contains the instruction that the brothers should “preach by their deeds.”
The Bible teaches us to preach by our holy life AND proclaim Christ with your words too.
12. Like Some Biblical "lyrics"?
“Here am I! Send me.”
Isaiah 6:8
The heart of someone who has encountered God becomes available to God.
“Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
1 John 3:18
This may be the single best verse for your theme.
“As we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone.”
Galatians 6:10
See the opportunity.
Meet the need.
Do good.
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father.”
Matthew 5:16
Notice the destination:
good works → people see → Father receives glory.
“Freely you have received, freely give.”
Matthew 10:8
Grace received becomes grace given.
“Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.”
Mark 16:15
Care cannot replace proclamation.
“You will be my witnesses.”
Acts 1:8
We don't merely tell people what we believe.
We testify to what Christ has done.
“Always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.”
1 Peter 3:15
Our lives should raise questions.
Our mouths should be ready with the answer.
13. Like a biblical formula so to speak?
I would put it this way:
It's important how you treat each person you come accross with, yes with respect and kindness. See the person. Ask some smart tactful questions to learn more (not too many). Listen and hear--to understand, not to answer. Show God's love to that person. Be on the give, and not on the take for a scalp so to speak. Yes, serve the person with no strings attached. Meet the legitimate need when you can. Offer to pray for them. Listen to the person some more. It's a friendship thang. Earn the opportunity to speak truth in love. Tell all the truth about Jesus. He is alive today. Call people toward Him. And give God the glory for whatever He does.
Is there anything that would prevent you from coming to Christ.. asking him to forgive you.. today?
That is profoundly consistent with the ministry of Jesus. He came to seek and to save that which was lost. Did he turn away anyone who approached him humbly? Nope.
And there is something especially beautiful about Luke 9:11:
“He welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God and cured those who had need of healing.”
That is almost your entire philosophy of ministry in one verse:
WELCOME → CARE → TRUTH → NEED → CHRIST → GLORY.
And Mark 2 adds the deeper dimension:
Meet the visible need, but don't miss the invisible one. Some people think they have more needs than they really have.
The paralytic needed legs that worked. Jesus was his uncompromising friend.
Jesus knew he needed forgiveness even more.
So Jesus did not merely say, “Walk.”
He first said, “Your sins are forgiven.”
That is the heart of Christian compassion:
We care about the whole person because God cares about the whole person. We don't use someone's need as an excuse to preach at them, but neither do we use compassion as an excuse to remain silent about Christ. We love them enough to serve them, and we love them enough to tell them the truth.
And ultimately (1 Cor. 10:31; Mat. 5:16; 1 Pet. 4:10–11):
We don't care merely so that people will feel better.
We care because they bear God's image.
We serve because Christ served us.
We speak because the gospel must be heard.
And we do everything for the glory of God.
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