Matthew 14:34-36
34 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout the region and brought all who were sick to him, 36 and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.
Gennesaret was a village on the north shore of the Sea of Galilee, between Capernaum and Tiberias. This was a trading village known for its riches and fine goods and rich soil. For the beauty and fertility of this place, it was called “the Paradise of Galilee.”
This was a place known for its riches. The people here were likely the elite of the area – the well-to-do and well-off, if you will. And yet they were lacking. There were still people who needed healing. Money and riches could buy some things, but some things were beyond even their reach.
Jesus comes to shore and the crowd once again presses in, even to simply touch the fringe of Jesus’ cloak and receive healing. Wholeness. Made well.We long for healing. We hope for a vaccine. How we wish a healing touch is all that is needed.
What we see in the life and ministry of Jesus is the coming of God’s Kingdom at hand. When Jesus is present the sick are healed, the deaf hear, the blind see, the prisoner is set free, the mute talk, the lame walk, the dead are raised. Healing. Wholeness. Made well. Jesus loves the unlovable, touches the untouchable, forgives the unforgivable.
True riches can be found in Jesus Christ.
Yes, we live in a broken world, and we long for healing and wholeness.
And yes, we have the promise of healing and wholeness in Jesus Christ. For the battle Jesus waged for you and for me is that death is no longer the final word. In Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the final word is life. Healing. Wholeness. Made well.
We live in the already but not yet. Already death is defeated. Already God wins.
The “not yet” is that the fullness of this victory is still to come.
And so we long for Jesus’ healing touch on our broken world. In Jesus, may we find the beauty and riches of God.
Amen – come Lord Jesus.
Let us pray:
We give thanks for your Son, Jesus Christ, who comes to make us well. Heal us, forgive us, comfort us. Make us well. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.