When studying the life of Jesus, we quickly see that people either loved Him or hated Him.

Some were amazed at His words and His works. Today's verse speaks of the response they had to Him healing a blind and mute man.

In Matthew 7:28 we read that "the crowds were amazed at his teaching".

Others hated what He said and did. The verbal abuse that was hurled at Him while on the cross is a small sampling of the malice He faced throughout His short ministry.

Why such different reactions to Jesus?

Why was He hated on the one hand and loved on the other?

He was gentle and loving with children and took special notice of those who were in pain. He was patient even with those who sought to trip Him up in His words. He was loyal to Judas, who He called a friend, when Judas was in the act of betraying Him.

He "went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil. " (Acts 10:38).

Everywhere He went, He encouraged all to come to Him and find rest.

He visited the homes of social outcasts and those of the wealthy and social elite.

He showed His concern for all sorts of people. So why did some hate him with such intensity while others loved Him so much as to be willing to die for Him?

Those of a humble heart loved Jesus because they understood that—as sinners at enmity to God—they needed His righteousness to be able to stand before Almighty God.

They were amazed at what Jesus said and did.

Those who hated Him—and raged against Him—were the prideful ones who relied on their own good works to see them through. He knew their thoughts and deeds. He knew that "the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so" (Romans 8:7)

Come today and “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” (James 4:10)

Whatever your need, whatever your issue, fight any negative feelings towards humbling yourself before Him. Those who shall humble themselves as a little child, "the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven". Matthew 18:4

As scripture says in Proverbs 11:2, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom."

Come humbly to Jesus today and discover how He welcomes you into His company, into His friendship, into His eternal love.

Come to this amazing Jesus and find all you need for this life and the next.