When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
Mark 6:53–56
Recently, my reading plan took me to Mark 6 and the account of the feeding of the 5,000. And later in the evening with Jesus walking on the water to the astonishment of the disciples. This vignette culminates then with a mass healing by the lake.
Urgent!
What really caught my attention this time in reading this, is the urgency that Mark portrays the people exhibiting in bringing their sick to Jesus to be healed.
“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 states that the people RAN to Jesus for healing. Not only did they run to him, but they ran about the whole countryside gathering the sick and no doubt spreading the word of the healing that Jesus offered.
Urgent (Still)!
Is there any better time than the present to share the good news with everyone that we can, about Jesus, the greatest physician that this world will ever see?! He truly offers the only solution to the ailments of mankind—whether they be spiritual, physical, mental, or emotional—Jesus offers an eternal cure.
If we had in our possession the known components of a vaccine for this virus, would we not be shouting it from the rooftops? Should we not then be sharing the cure that Jesus offers to mankind’s worst plague of all?
I’d love to hear any examples of sharing the Gospel that have been effective in your experience. Especially in this COVID-19 era. Please use the comment box below
Hello Bro Doug, Your topic was very meaningful to me. I had an interesting experience recently as I was leaving the dental office. A couple was exiting just ahead of me. When we reached the parking lot the wife turned to me and asked if I voted for Trump? This surprised me but I felt moved that day to answer her and we had quite a lengthy discussion. I told her no, my candidate was not on the ballot and explained that Jesus was the only one who could save the world and that the Bible teaches He is coming back to set up God’s kingdom on earth. And how we are citizens of this coming kingdom because of our belief in Jesus. I told her I don’t involve myself in the politics of this world; God rules in the kingdoms of men, Etc….
She had admired the shawl I was wearing and asked me several times about it. After we talked a bit more I gave her the shawl because it felt right. She was so amazed she asked me if I go to a local church. I’m actually an hour from our meeting and explained who we are and that we are currently doing our service by Zoom. I got her phone # later from the dentist who had gotten her permission. And we’ve been texting a few days a week. She told me yesterday she is studying about the Kingdom of God. I told her earlier that I was impressed that she had such fervor for Trump that she approached me (a stranger in the parking lot) about the subject. And I said I wished I had more urgency in talking to others about the Bible. I feel like we are given opportunities in all kinds of situations and we take it or let it pass. Too many times I let it pass and right away I feel guilty and that God must be very disappointed in me. So yes, my prayer is that each of us feels this urgency to share the precious hope which is offered through Jesus our Savior.
I was reading this quickly. When I saw “Jesus offers an eternal cure,” my brain misread it as “Jesus offers an emotional cure.” Maybe, though, that is the point. When we trust that there is an eternal cure, our current emotions are altered. We can offer this: “Eventually, everything really is going to be okay.” Hope for tomorrow provides peace for today.
Thanks for the reminder about the urgency of sharing the Gospel message. We invited a friend to join one of our mid-week classes on Zoom.