Jesus never lost sight of the individual for the multitude

So, in my continued reading through Matthew another revelation jumped out at me.

When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions. (Matthew 5:1-2)

Time after time we see multitudes gathering around Jesus. Often, Jesus seemed to be seeking ways to get away from the crowds (climbing a mountain, getting into a boat, slipping away to pray in private). And although Jesus always made accomodation for the multitude (teaching on the mountain, feeding the five thousand, etc.) He never lost His focus on the individual (Nicodemus, woman at the well, the demon possessed man, the one leper who returned - or, and maybe most important Peter, James, John and the other 9 apostles).

The stories He told the crowd were typically the subject of discussion for the smaller more intimate group soon thereafter. Could it be He was relating the broader concept about His Father's Kingdom to the crowd because it was actually the kingdom topic He already intended to train His apostles about later?

I wish we had more record of the discussions Jesus had with the individual apostles. There's no way we have the entire record of the conversations He had over His three year public ministry. What did Jesus and Peter talk about that's not recorded? When Jesus and the apostles were walking from Judea to Galilee what did He and John talk about? Sitting under a tree on the way to Jerusalem, what did Jesus say to Judas?

I'm confident much of what is recorded in the New Testament by those who encountered Jesus one on one was not only inspired by the Holy Spirit, but was also the result of conversations the writers had while hanging out with Jesus for three years. Jesus' life and death on the cross had eternal impact for all of the human race. But, as far as His teaching throughout the generations it was not so much Jesus' time with the multitude that has shaken the world for generations as it was the impact He had on the twelve and even three individuals within the smaller circle.

Having been a Bible study leader for years, this has challenged me to consider where my focus is placed. What about you... reflecting on your own experience has your focus been more on the multitude or the individuals? (More on this and me tomorrow!)