There were those who left their jobs and families behind to follow Him.  They gave up everything to be a part of it.  Some of them became His inner circle of workers and would someday continue to share the words He was now speaking to the crowds.

It was a new message.  For centuries our people had been bound by the tradition and ritual of our religion.  We knew that our God demanded perfection from us, but we it was a demand couldn’t keep because of the chains of sin which bound us.

Soon it became a tradition of good works and nothing we could do was going to take away our sin.  No sacrifice or offering could pay the price for disobedience to God. Only a perfect sin offering, without blemish could do that.

When Jesus spoke, people listened.  His message was filled with the hope we all longed for.  He talked about a kingdom not of this world.  He shared words about life in eternity with Him and complete forgiveness of sins.  These words were balm to heal the stinging ears that heard them.  His voice could reach from the middle of a lake to even the youngest in the audience.  He spoke with complete power and authority.  They hung on every word.

Soon the crowds grew so big that His time no longer was His own.  He often retreated to the mountains or the sea to regain His strength.  As a mother, I grew more and more concerned over the pressures being placed on His shoulders, but continuing to trust in God’s plan, I knew that this was nothing in comparison to what lay ahead for Him.

I could do nothing but wait for God’s will to be done.  In the meantime I would join the crowds, be still and listen.