53 When they had crossed over they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. 54 When they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, 55 and ran about that whole country and began to carry here and there on their pallets those who were sick, to the place they heard He was. 56 Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured.
Message: Healings in Gennesaret
Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.
What the Lord is Saying:
Preface - Jesus comes to Nazareth and continues to teach but also experiences a little opposition from his friends and family. He sends out his disciples to teach and heal. The message is becoming more well known. Herod Antipas, one of 4 rulers of Rome, wonders if Jesus is a resurrected John (John has previously been killed by him and that story is recounted I think partly to show us that the message of the gospel is sometimes not well received). The disciples return and report on what they have done and taught. Jesus sends them away for rest, but the people are there waiting for them, in the 1000s. Jesus teaches the people. The disciples then send them away for food, but Jesus shows the disciples how they can be fed, feeding over 5,000. Jesus then puts the disciples on a boat, sends the people away, and goes to the mountain to pray. Jesus continues to teach the disciples, showing them that he is in control of all and wherever they go they can trust him. No matter what the experience presents itself to them, he can still be trusted. He will literally and figuratively calm whatever comes into their lives.
It is interesting, Mark speaks a lot about Jesus healing. It remains of interest to me what Mark emphasizes in this gospel of Jesus as the gospels seem to me to express the basis of all that we all hold dear in scripture. Thus far the message of Jesus has been simple - repent and believe - and be forgiven. There are other subjects that have come up as Jesus communicates to us that he is more than simply a man and this is what Mark seems to be emphasizing over and over. Jesus is walking as a man, but is more than a man.
As they get off the boat and are in Gennesaret, which is across from the Sea of Galilee, Jesus and the disciples come upon a lot of people. Word of Jesus has spread. This is clear. In the feeding of the 5,000, there were thought to be double of triple this amount as 5,000 only spoke of the men. People had come from many other places to see Jesus. And now Jesus sets foot in Gennesaret and once again word of him is out. Perhaps any one of the disciples has already been to this region and spoken of him as well. On a note, Mark's gospel actually offers a difference from the other gospels in this account. While being in Gennesaret isn't a problem, Mark gives the idea that they came from Bethsaida whereas the rest of the gospels speak of the feeding occurring in Bethsaida. For Mark, after the feeding they got in a boat and went to Bethsaida. I've read several accounts and explanations for this, but the consensus is that this is an unanswered question and the writers couldn't have known at the time that every word of there's would be placed under a microscope.
When they got out of the boat, immediately [the people] recognized Him, and ran about that whole country and began to carry here and there on their pallets those who were sick. In some ways most of the gospel so far has been about healings and miracles. Yet, lately it seems that Jesus is still trying to teach his disciples. Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured. Again, the focus in this passage is Jesus healing. But the people believe in His Power because their desire is simply to touch the fringe of His garment. Like the woman in the crowd who was healed just by touching Jesus' garment, this is the common faith now also. Again, what mere man could have this kind of power over people's lives?
as many as touched it were being cured - this is most compelling. The mere touch resulted in being cured. But, if all Jesus is, is a healer, then people have missed the point. Yes, he is there to change our lives, but it is more than this. Because of His Power, we can trust in who he is and all that he says. He is not a momentary need to our lives, but we need Him every hour. He is on earth, testifying or showing people the true God.
Summary - Jesus and the disciples come to the City of Gennesaret and word of Jesus has spread to the point that people come to him in waves bringing people to Jesus for healing, only wanting to touch his garment to receive healing. Their faith in him is great.
Promise: God is sovereign and he chooses to heal whom he heals. We come to him by faith. But ultimately we trust in Him and see that He has power over our lives in ways that go beyond a healing touch of a physical sickness.
Prayer: Lord, give me understanding of this text and what it means to me today. Thank you for the testimony of this text and the faith of the people that came to you, merely to touch you, to receive their healing. Lord, I pray that my faith is like this.
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