WE WILL recall from last week’s studies. Jesus coming to His disciples on the troubled sea, in the darkness of night. When they saw Him they were frightened—apparently because they had been so busy with their troubles they had forgotten to trust in Him and did not even remember the wonderful events of the past day. Are we not often the same? Perhaps at times, life’s troubles have so occupied us that we have forgotten the best place to take them, and then when we do remember the words, “Casting all your care upon Him,” we are embarrassed and scarcely know how to tell Him about it.
But hear His own words when He sees their confusion: “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.” Could troubled hears and minds find anything more reassuring? May we who know Him, know more of looking to Him, before toiling long and wearily in the attacks of Satan. He will ever delight to smooth the angry waves and give us peace and quietness if we but turn to Him.
The next morning they come to the shores of Gennesaret—near the city of Bethsaida. “And when they were come out of the sip, straightway they knew Him, and ran through that whole region round about ... and whithersoever He entered ... they laid the sick in the streets, and besought Him that they might touch if it were but the border of His garment.” How refreshing to learn of this instance when there was a true response to Jesus’ presence, especially compared with the early part of this same chapter where Jesus in His own country “could do there no mighty work.”
Word as to the Lord’s marvelous works of healing and loving ways had reached these people near Bethsaida so that He was looked for, and these were willing workers to spread the word far and wide and bring the needy to Him. What a cheer time such as this must have been to the Saviour’s heart and He delighted to respond with blessing to all who came.
This was not only a happy time in our Saviour’s walk here, but no doubt He found it a foreshadowing of that coming millennial day when as the true “Prince of Peace,” He will return to this scene and His people Israel will correctly recognize and own Him. At that time He will entirely put away all sickness, misery and sorrow and the fulfillment of the many Old Testament promises to His earthly people will be accomplished.
But we want to see, too, the story in application to our own day and in such find it a lovely example of the spreading of the gospel by faithful witnesses. How pleasant and suitable it is for those who love the Lord to “run through the whole region aware that the time is short and that “the king’s business requires haste.” It is a blessed privilege to bring others to Christ after we have found Him as our own Saviour and such service will be rewarded here, as well in the coming day when every work will be made manifest.
Like the sick woman earlier in the chapter, many found they only needed to “touch if it were but the border of His garment,” and were immediately made whole. It is coming to Him in faith—simple though that faith may be—that rewards the unsaved sinner with salvation and eternal life. We need ever to remember that it is only when one realizes he is “yet without strength” and “dead in trespasses and sins” that faith in Christ can save.
ML-08/25/1963