Jesus withdrew toward the sea with his disciples.
It was as though Jesus was purposefully elusive of crowds that had only a superficial understanding of his identity. The scribes and Pharisees saw him only through a critical lens and most others saw him only as a dispenser of miracles. Jesus no doubt wanted to strengthen his disciples against both misrepresentations of who he was, and to show them how to avoid the intoxication of popularity by his example. It also demonstrated that Jesus, in addition to divine power, had the need for rest, peace, and silence. But it was a need he was not often permitted to satisfy.
A large number of people followed from Galilee and from Judea.
Hearing what he was doing,
a large number of people came to him also from Jerusalem,
from Idumea, from beyond the Jordan,
and from the neighborhood of Tyre and Sidon.
The whole world seemed to have followed Jesus and his disciples, thwarting his attempts at solitude. But although this wasn't Plan A, there was something better about a crowd that actively sought out Jesus than one composed of mere spectators. They still didn't really understand or care to understand the person of Jesus. But it does seem that their faith in the power of Jesus only increased from earlier in the Gospel.
He had cured many and, as a result, those who had diseases
were pressing upon him to touch him.
These were people like the lady with the issue of blood that lasted for twelve years who sensed that even to touch Jesus would be enough to allow her to receive his healing power. When she did so, Jesus said, "Someone touched me, for I perceive that power has gone out from me" (see Luke 8:43-48). The idea that the very touch of Jesus had healing power was an idea that people only entertained because they had seen him in action. The fact that he withdrew only increased their longing for his touch. So too for us. Sometimes Jesus seems to withdraw, but it is only in order to increase our desire for that which he alone can give us.
He told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd
The boat prepared by the disciples can be seen as a metaphor for the Church. The point was not to prevent the people from coming to Jesus and touching him. The point was to make him available to as many as possible without him being crushed. Similarly, the modern descendants of the disciples prevent all of the pitfalls that would arise in a situation with no mediation between Jesus and the crowds. The Church, like the boat, helps the message of Jesus to remain identifiable even alongside imposters that, like the unclean spirits, cry out "You are the Son of God", but only in order to sow confusion.
Saul has slain his thousands,
and David his ten thousands.
Envy was a primary factor in the downfall of, not only Saul, but Satan himself (see Wisdom 2:24). The Pharisees and scribes suffered from this sin, as did the demons that were hostile to Jesus at every turn. But does the sin of envy affect us? Is there some good that we would take from another, even if it caused them harm? Are there blessings which others have received that we can't bring ourselves to celebrate? Perhaps we are envious of those who seem to have received more or greater blessings than ourselves. We don't like to think of ourselves as envious. There really isn't an upside or a positive spin that we can easily apply. And yet, in some measure, we all tend to succumb because pride insists that we somehow deserve at least as much as anyone else. The right way to respond to temptations of envy is by thanksgiving and praise. This is what Jonathan tried to lead Saul to realize.
Let not your majesty sin against his servant David,
for he has committed no offense against you,
but has helped you very much by his deeds.
When he took his life in his hands and slew the Philistine,
and the LORD brought about a great victory
for all Israel through him,
you were glad to see it.
May the Lord help us to recognize all of the ways in which we have not been thankful for his gifts, and which we have begrudged his giving of those gifts to others. Just as it was for the crowds that pressed upon him so to for us is his healing touch enough to bring healing to our hearts.
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