Title
The Crowd
Scripture
When Jesus saw the great multitudes about Him, He gave a command to depart to the other side.
(Matthew 8:18)
Devotional
Jesus did not follow the crowds, the crowds followed Him. Herein is leadership. Jesus was not controlled by nor influenced by crowds. He influenced them. He never coerced, He led. Jesus knew and understood the need and strength of being alone, apart from the crowds. He likewise knew the influence of the crowds on His disciples. He knew that they had to be taught alone. We likewise need to separate ourselves from the influence of the crowd. We are to depart to the other side and that side is the place of rest in Christ. We need to come apart that we do not fall apart. Crowds, by their mass, have control. When they move, you must move. When they stop you must stop. Going with the flow, when the flow is controlled by the crowd, is more than often flowing in the wrong direction. When you find yourself dressing, talking and acting like the crowd, it may be time to depart to the other side.