The Miracles of Jesus Part 21: Healing the Many in Genneserat

Matthew 14:34-35, Mark 6:53-56. Do you KNOW Jesus or is He something that you just “recognize” in general?

Apr 11, 2023

person wearing silver bracelet and ring — Photo by Jacob Bentzinger on Unsplash

“When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; and they implored Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were cured.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14‬:‭34‬-‭36‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

“When they had crossed over they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore. 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, to the place they heard He was. 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.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭6‬:‭53‬-‭56‬ ‭NASB1995‬‬

The ultimate miracle has happened! The Resurrection of our Lord was the subject of a devotional on April 9. We now return to the series on the rest of the miracles. And I am recovering well from the infection I had, which led to some serious introspection and spiritual battling.

This miracle (rather an unnumbered set of many, many miracles) is briefly documented at the ends of Matthew 14 and Mark 6. Our beloved Lord has just fed the 5,000+, then walked on water, challenging the little faith of the disciples (especially Peter). He barely has time to get out of the boat at Gennesaret (see map from Precept Austin) when He is “recognized” and the crowds converge on Him, bringing the sick from all around the region, many on pallets. People are grasping at His garments and are being healed. Jesus has ultimate power over nature!

The scenes must have been chaotic and speak to the enormous popularity Jesus is now having, so enormous that He has fewer and fewer opportunities to preach and heal people spiritually instead of physically. He is recognized as the miracle-worker and only He knows just how many people rushed up to Him when He came to us, begged for healing, and then rushed away, getting back to their lives. They probably didn’t even thank Him. Just thinking that right now floods my eyes with tears about how good He is.

It’s an important distinction in these two short passages to note that many people recognize Jesus, but most do not know Jesus as their Savior. Humans are remarkably self-centered, always trying to gain an advantage or opportunity. The authors of the in-depth Biblical commentary on Precept Austin have some thoughts on this:

THOUGHT - The psalmist writes that "those who know Your Name will put their trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You." (Psalm 9:10 +) The tragedy is that most of the people who recognized Jesus knew His Name, but they did not truly know Him. In other words, they did not acknowledge Him as their God, as their Messiah, as their Savior and Redeemer and thus were like so many in America today who say they "know Jesus" they do not truly know Him. Jesus Himself warned of the grave deception and danger of saying you "know" Him but do not truly know Him by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9 +) declaring "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.
….
DO NOT BE DECEIVED by a profession of Christ without subsequent practice of Christ-like behavior, behavior which is only possible by the supernatural power of the Spirit of Jesus.

One other point from these two short passages: The healing was complete for all of these people, regardless of whether it came by just touching His garment or His touch. The Greek word used is sozo, which is defined as being fully healed of an illness or malady. The power of Jesus is astonishing. You have to ask some questions, though: Where were these people when Jesus was arrested and put on trial? Were some of them there yelling for Barabbas to be freed? Or did they conveniently cower back at home in Galilee, thankful for the healing but not wanting to get more involved in this “political” issue? Cowardice has no place in the life of the believer; keep your eyes on Him and ignore what is coming at you from right or left on the race you are called to run. Run that race with obedience, faith, worship and gratitude for His blessings!

What have we learned from these many miracles documented in short passages in Matthew and Mark?

Healing the many in Genneserat: Jesus has absolute power over Nature and over sickness. He heals many, often just from their touch of His garments. The crowds recognize Him but do not know Him.

My next devotional examines a miracle documented in Matthew and Mark, where Jesus casts out demons from a Gentile woman’s daughter.

Heaven on Wheels Daily Prayer:

Dear Lord - Help me to know you, not just recognize you for your power and authority. By following you I will not be deceived and will have grace through faith. Amen.

Precept Austin is a free on-line compendium of commentaries and analysis of Scripture.

The Miracle List:

Water to wine: Jesus can overcome time, He creates beauty and abundance, and He shares in our joy.
Healing of the official’s son: Jesus can overcome space (distance), He does not need to see the person He heals, He has infinite power, but He also wants us to believe without signs and wonders.
Casting out of the evil spirit in the synagogue: The authority of Jesus is recognized by the demons and He triumphs over evil and silences it.
Healing of Peter’s Mother-in-Law: Jesus does not need crowds to demonstrate His power and He has compassion about the needs of one person, even if those needs seem smaller and only worthy of a couple of verses of scripture.
Healing and casting out demons of many in Capernaum (at Peter’s house): Jesus has compassion on all who come to Him and has no conditions that He places on giving them His mercy. He can heal instantly with a light touch and again demonstrates authority over demons and silences them.
Miraculous catch of fish on the Sea of Galilee: Jesus demonstrates His powers over His creation, He once again brings abundance, and He teaches humble fishermen that their task of bringing souls to Him is the most important thing they can do. They must follow Him.
Cleansing of the Leper: Jesus is willing to heal us, is compassionate towards those who suffer and can instantly cure a dreadful and feared disease. We must have faith when circumstances seem hopeless.
Healing of the Centurion’s Servant: Jesus came so that anyone who believes on His name is saved, Jew or Gentile. One of the most humble and devout persons that He encounters during His ministry is a Roman Centurion who cares and loves a servant who is sick or paralyzed. Jesus has instant authority over this illness, again eliminating space (distance) as a barrier to healing; He also marvels at this man’s faith.
Healing of the paralytic passed through the roof: Jesus demonstrates His ultimate authority as the Son of God to forgive sins and to heal a condition that seems irreversible. He can sense and read the hearts and thoughts of others. He turns a major disruption into a lesson on forgiveness. The friends of the paralytic show tremendous faith in how they solve this problem.
Healing of the withered hand on the Sabbath: Jesus can instantaneously heal a chronic condition, restoring a hand to full function. The man he heals exhibits great faith in His ability to heal and obeys Him. Jesus also challenges the assumptions and rules that have taken the place of faith and wisdom in the hearts of the Pharisees and Scribes. His anger is righteous; their rage is murderous.
Raising of the widow’s son from death: Jesus is filled with compassion for the suffering and grief of others. He has power over death and can restore us to joy and hope in the face of a hopeless situation. His endless grace and the power of His word are sufficient. We are to spring into action, serving Him and bringing His hope to the hopeless.
Taming the storm on the Sea: Jesus has the unlimited power to tame nature and He calms a storm on the Sea of Galilee instantly. His disciples, after seeing one miracle after another before this, are struck with memory loss when this crisis hits and forget that He is the Creator of the Universe and creation will obey Him. Jesus is there in the storms of life for those who believe on His name.
Casting demons into a herd of pigs: Jesus has the ultimate authority over evil and demons must have His permission to even enter into animals that immediately die. Demon possession is a real thing, but is likely rare and would not occur in a believer who is under the power of the Holy Spirit. We should not get so comfortable with evil surrounding us that we are fearful of holiness and good. Jesus wants us to tell others about His power and healing and to be without superstitions.
Healing of a woman with a bleeding disorder: Jesus knows when His healing powers are used and, with great love and compassion, tells this daughter of the Kingdom that her faith has made her well. Casual contact with Jesus doesn’t save us. We are saved by coming to Him with everything (sins, sufferings, distractions, hopes, and belief). Jesus cleanses and revives us!
Jesus raises the daughter of Jairus from the dead: Jesus, the Son of God, has power over life and death. His power is infinite - healing can come from a touch of His garment or a touch from His hands. His compassion is infinite. His words can bring a person back to life and He knows for those who believe that death is just sleep. Just as in His time, our age is filled with mockers and scorners and we must pray for those lost souls.
Jesus heals two blind men: Faith and persistence leads to miracles. Jesus extends mercy and compassion to those who are suffering and recognize Him as the Messiah, by healing two blind men who follow Him.
A mute demoniac is healed and speaks: Jesus has ultimate authority over evil and easily casts out a demon, allowing a man to finally speak. The Pharisees are not impressed and accuse Him of being a demon. As He continues His ministry and healings, He laments the lack of harvesters.
A man is healed by Jesus by the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath: Jesus homes in on a man among the many who has hopelessly waited for healing in the pool for 38 years. He asks him if he wants healing, then tells him to stand, take up his pallet, and walk. We are all waiting for something, but we should stop waiting and be actively seeking Him in our everyday lives through our worship and prayers. Human-made rules and rituals can separate us from our Creator, who is working to sustain us and His creation.
The feeding of the 5000+: Jesus is compassionate and involves his believers in provided abundance. Nothing is too meager or small for the Lord to use in a big way. The disciples continue to look for worldly answers to solve problems and He points them, once again, to His supernatural abilities. People are physically hungry and God’s resources should not be wasted. The Word is also needed to feed the masses spiritually.
Jesus walks on water: Jesus again demonstrates mastery over creation by walking on deep waters. His disciples don’t initially recognize Him, but when they do, Peter wants to join Him (Matthew account). Peter walks in faith a short distance, then is distracted by a worldly fear (the wind). Jesus grabs him to help home and asks him why he has so little faith and is full of doubts. The disciples declare Him the son of God.
Healing the many in Genneserat: Jesus has absolute power over Nature and over sickness. He heals many, often just from their touch of His garments. The crowds recognize Him but do not know Him.