July 23, 2018 Monday

“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 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.” (Mark 6:53-56 NKJV

            The land of Gennesaret is a fertile area on the Sea of Galilee located close to Capernaum. The word Gennesaret is a Hebrew word which means harp. It would be interesting to know why this area would be named with a word which means harp.

            The Sea of Galilee was also known as Lake Gennesaret which shows the prosperity and popularity of this town. During the time of Jesus the Sea of Galilee would also be known as the Sea of Tiberius.

            It would be interesting to know how much of the three years Jesus ministered was spent on a boat. Here the people recognized Jesus right away and they began to gather around him. People seemed to expect Jesus would receive them and would help them.

            Just as in most of the Gospel of Mark there is urgency in the wording as well as the action of those involved. “Immediately” is a word used often in Mark and we are told as soon as Jesus was recognized people “ran” to spread the news and then the flow of those needing healing poured toward Jesus.

            Loved ones who needed healing were carried on beds so they could be brought into the presence of Jesus. From miles around they came and as Jesus moved from town to town they followed in the hope their loved ones could be made whole.

            Today there seems little urgency and willingness to bear others and bring them to the presence of Jesus for healing. So few of those who proclaim to be Christians gather to worship the God who has redeemed and made them whole or rush to immediately spend time in prayer with God or to read the Bible.

            The people of the land of Gennesaret trusted by faith their loved ones could be healed if they only touched the hem of the garment of Jesus.  Do we in the church have that kind of faith to trust in God’s will and word? Sometimes the Bible can be very hard to understand or to believe in. So much of the Bible goes against our fallen natures and this fallen world. But as Christians we are called to hold on to the teachings of the Bible so we can be made whole just as they were by holding on to the hem of Jesus’ garment

            Are you willing by faith to reach out and receive redemption and salvation through Jesus? Are you willing by faith to believe the teachings of the Bible are true and will help you become whole? Do you “run” to spend time with Jesus and to worship him?