53 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. 54 When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, 55 and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
Mark 6: 53-56 NRSV
This passage from the Gospel of Mark might be regarded as an “afterthought” by some readers, since it comes after several more famous passages in this chapter (Jesus rejected at Nazareth, feeding the 5,000, and walking on the water).
Yet to dismiss these verses would be a mistake, for these verses remind us of three essential truths about Jesus’ healing.
First, people want healing. As soon as Jesus’ boat hits the shoreline, the crowds appear. People would go to great lengths, and any amount of distance, to find healing for themselves, and their families. This is still true today. There are many in our world who are desperate for healing.
Second, Jesus has an unlimited capacity to heal. In spite of the fact that our Lord was approached by scores of people, maybe even hundreds, he never set a limit on his healing capacity. He didn’t say, “I can only heal seven people an hour.” Nor did he say, “I’m sorry. I have reached my quota for the day. You will have to come back tomorrow.” No! He welcomed and He still welcomes all who approached Him for healing.
Third, all who came to Jesus for healing experienced God’s presence. To use a baseball analogy, “Jesus is batting a thousand” when it comes to his healing presence. When we approach Jesus, there will be some form of healing. It may not always be the healing we seek, yet Jesus always offers us His presence, and His love. This is why we should not be ashamed about introducing people to Jesus. He is our source for healing, peace, and strength.
Jesus knows our hearts. He knows our desire to be healed, and He offers healing. Jesus will never deny us. He freely gives His time when we reach out to him. We may not always experience the earthly physical healing for which we yearn, but we are promised to be made whole when we are ushered into His heavenly presence.
Sometimes this can feel like little comfort when we are in the middle of the hurricane of illness. Yet we are never in that hurricane alone. The answers to our prayers may not come in the manner or timing we desire. Sadly, grief is part of life. When we are in the depths of healing from grief, Jesus holds us. He helps to heal our hearts. It doesn’t always happen quickly. We may go in and out of times of times of sorrow and grieving. We can take comfort in knowing that Jesus promises that when we eventually join Him in heaven, we will be whole, without pain, and filled with Joy. The promise that we can always hold on to is that He is the greatest physician. With the Lord, we never need a second opinion.
Prayer
Lord, You are the ultimate source of all healing, and the greatest physician. Help me to put my trust in You, so that I can survive the physical and spiritual challenges which come into my life. Forgive me when my steps do not lead others towards You. Help me to self-correct my path, so I can share both the sorrows and the joys with You. Thank You for Your promise of eternal healing. I pray this prayer in Your holy name. Amen.
