TO TOUCH OR TO BE TOUCHED BY CHRIST

TO TOUCH OR TO BE TOUCHED BY CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“And wherever He went, into villages, towns, or countryside, they placed the sick in the marketplaces.  They begged Him to let them touch even the edge of His cloak, and all who touched it were healed.”  Mark 6:56 (NIV)

EXPLANATION

These words are from the gospel, the good news regarding Jesus, The Christ, according to Mark, a companion Simon Peter.  Jesus and His disciples left Jairus’ house and went to His hometown.  When the Sabbath came, He began to teach in the synagogue and all who heard Him were amazed.  They felt that they knew Him and could not understand how He became so wise, or how He was able to perform miracles.  They were offended by Him. (Mark 6:1-3)  That was when Jesus said, “A prophet is not without honor, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.” (Mark 6:4)  Then He went from village to village teaching and preaching. (Mark 6:6)  He called His disciples together and sent them out among the people, two by two, to teach and preach, to heal the sick, and to cast out demons. (Mark 6:7-13)  After John the baptizer was beheaded by Herod, (Mark 6:14-29) Jesus gathered His disciples together and crossed the lake by boat, but the crowd followed Him wherever He went, even to a remote countryside. (Mark 6:30-35)  This is where Jesus fed the five thousand men plus their wives and children with the two fish and five barley loaves of bread. (Mark 6:36-44)  After He sent the crowd away and told His disciples to cross the lake and go to Bethsaida ahead of Him, He went up on a mountainside to pray.  Later on that night, He joined them on the boat by walking on the water out to the middle of the lake. (Mark 6:45-52)  When they landed at Gennesaret, the people recognized Jesus and brought their sick to Him.  Wherever He went they brought the sick to Him.  They asked Him to touch them and heal them, or just let them touch the hem of His garment and be healed. Mark 6:53-56)

APPLICATION

Jesus, The Christ, was a healer and He healed all manner of illnesses, diseases, and disorders.  He healed whoever He touched, or whoever touched Him or His garments.  To touch or be touched by Christ changed a person.  Even today, Christ can change a person and heal a lost sin-sick soul.  Miracles can still be performed today in the lives of believers.  All healing, be it physical, psychological, or spiritual, is by the power of God.  To God be the glory!!!