Lesson 87

LESSON 87 Mark 6:53-56

53When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. 54And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him, 55ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. 56Wherever He entered into villages, cities, or in 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.

The land of Gennesaret is on the northwest coast of the Sea of Galilee, south of Capernaum. When Jesus arrived there, people knew Who He was. The Healer had come! They hurried to gather all those who were sick to take them to Jesus. The people were eager to get His help for their loved ones. They had faith in Him to heal and their faith was rewarded. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Notice in Mark 6:56, Jesus didn't have to touch them, they touched His hem (Jewish scholars say it was the fringe of His prayer shawl) and were healed. Their faith in Him was what determined what they did. If they hadn't believed He was a Healer, they wouldn't have come. If they hadn't believed they, too, could receive healing, as others had, they wouldn't have come--but they had faith to believe that healing was available to them and that it would come to them through this Man called Jesus of Nazareth. Healing is available to us through this Man Jesus, too. Does He love us less than He did them? No. Is He less powerful now than He was then? No. Has God stopped healing people? No.

This kind of gathering happened over and over, as the word spread that there was a great prophet and healer in Israel.

Luke 4:40 (Capernaum) Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.

Luke 5:15 (Sea of Galilee shore)13And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. 14And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. 15But so much the more went there a fame abroad of him: and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by him of their infirmities.

John 3:1-2 (Probably in Jerusalem) There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.

John 4:28-30,40-42 (In Samaria)The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, 29Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? 30Then they went out of the city, and came unto him...40So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. 41And many more believed because of his own word; 42And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.

Did you notice the different services that people supplied? Some spread the word that Jesus was near. That was faith speaking and encouraging and probably exhorting people to believe.

Some carried sick folks to Jesus. That was faith working and helping people to get into a position to receive. In the spiritual sense, we can do the same through prayer. Remember from our last lesson James 5:16: The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Some sick came on their own and grabbed hold of the healing available in Jesus. That was faith determined not to miss the blessing that believing in Jesus brings. What do you do that shows you have faith in Jesus?