Mark 6:53-56 (NKJV) Many Touch Him and Are Made Well
(Matt. 14:34–36)
53 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, 55 ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. 56 Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.
V53 “When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there.” They had arrived safely crossing the Sea of Galilee. Jesus made the journey safe for them, which is a principle for us today, too. Compare Jude 1:24-25, Hebrews 2:18, and Hebrews 7:25. The same question Jesus asked the two blind men is true for us today in our situations: Matthew 9:28 (LHB) And when he had come into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus said to them, Do you believe that I am able to do this? They said to him, Yes, Lord.
V54 “And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him…” Note the enthusiasm to see Him, but it was not for spiritual healing sadly. They only wanted physical healing. O, God, give us a heart that always seeks you for spiritual help. Compare Psalm 30:2 where the Psalmist prayed to God for help and now praises God for the healing. The spiritual problem was pride which God cured. Psalms 40:16 “May all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; may those who love Your salvation always say, “The LORD be magnified!”
V55 “…ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.” They had plenty of energy to seek physical healing but not spiritual healing.
V56 “Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.” 100% cure rate. I wonder if the physicians of the day were angry at Him, for Jesus took away their business. God does still heal physically. It does not always happen. It happens only if it is God’s will. See 1 John 5:14 and Matthew 6:10.
We learn:
- Jesus can heal any sickness.
- People often only want the physical blessings from God instead of the more important spiritual healing. See Psalm 147:3 and 1 Peter 2:24 (spiritual healing).
Questions:
- Do we seek for Jesus’s help first and then others (physicians, etc.)?
- What are our priority physical or spiritual needs?